Competitive EPSRC funded PhD in Chemistry: Small Molecule Activation and Valorisation Using Low-Coordinate Complexes

Small Molecule Activation and Valorisation Using Low-Coordinate Complexes

Transition metal complexes featuring highly coordinatively and electronically unsaturated centres are challenging synthetic targets, but they show unusual reactivity which stems from their unique coordination environments. This allows us to access novel stoichiometric and catalytic reactions and products (e.g. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 4845, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201701051; Catal. Sci. Technol., 2018, 8, 229, DOI: 10.1039/C7CY02086D; Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 8139, DOI: 10.1039/d0cc03559a; ACS Catalysis, 2023, 13, 6610, DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.3c00764).

Our research group has shown that low-coordinate iron complexes can cleave the strong C≡O bond in carbon monoxide to generate new C-C bonds forming novel ketene intermediates and products containing C₄ rings at ambient temperatures and pressures (Nat. Commun., 2018, 9, 3757, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06242-w; Chem. Sci., 2024, 15, 9599, DOI: 10.1039/d4sc01286k). This chemistry is particularly remarkable as it uses a cheap, abundant and environmentally benign base metal in the scission and homologation. This PhD project will initially build upon these results to investigate the effect of oxidation state and electronics on the reactivity through electrochemical and reduction chemistry and the reactivity of the ketene intermediates, with a view to expanding the reactions to other unsaturated substrates such as carbon dioxide, nitriles and isocyanides.

Not only will this reactivity provide myriad new organic molecules that cannot be formed through conventional syntheses, but it will also provide a gateway to the understanding of small molecule activation processes.

This research project will provide training in organometallic chemistry and the use of highly unsaturated complexes in small molecule activation and catalysis, using glove box and Schlenk line techniques in their handling and manipulation, and analysis transition metal complexes through structural, spectroscopic, mechanistic and other physical measurements. 

English Language

If English is not your first language that you must fulfil our English Language criteria before the start of your studies. Details of accepted English Language qualifications for admissions can be found here English language requirements for postgraduate students – Study – Cardiff University

Supervisor

Professor Deborah Kays

Deadline for applications – Monday 14th October

Start date – 1st January 2025 or 1st April 2025 only.

How to apply

All applications should be submitted via the online application portal Chemistry – Study – Cardiff University

As part of your application please include:

CV

Guidance on CVs for a PhD position can be found on the How to Write an Effective PhD CV PhD Applications (findaphd.com)

Personal statement

Ensure your personal statement provides a clear explanation of your research interest, preparation undertaken, and an understanding of the project. 

Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words, and address the following questions:

1. What are your scientific research interests and ambition?

2. How has your academic and/or professional journey prepared you for PhD study? (for instance, give examples of work you particularly enjoyed, of challenges you overcame, of connecting with others about your work or ideas, of showing inventiveness, of developing new skills and knowledge)

3. Why do you think this project is important?

If you do not include a CV and personal statement your application will not be considered.

You can also review our Cardiff University webpage about EPSRC funded posts – EPSRC – Study – Cardiff University

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be notified of the interview date that is expected to take place during week commencing Monday 11th November 2024. These will held online, via zoom or Teams.

As part of the interview process, the candidates who have been shortlisted will be required to deliver a brief (ca. 5 minutes, 3 slides) presentation. This should be about a research project that you have undertaken.

Adjustments for interviews will be made to ensure equality for the candidates, e.g. flexible interview timings and locations for individuals with caring responsibilities, socioeconomic status, etc.; extra time if necessary for individuals with disabilities. All shortlisted applicants will be provided with the interview questions in advance.

If you wish to ask any informal questions about the application and interview process, including any specific requirements you may have, please contact our PGR office on chemistry-pgr@cardiff.ac.uk. Any questions or requests you have will in no way effect your application.

Cardiff University is committed to support students from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Where needed, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part‐time study requests, to enable greater access to a PhD. All our supervisors support us with this aim, so please feel comfortable in discussing further with the listed PhD project supervisor to see what is feasible.

Overview of projects – competitively funded

This is a competitively funded project, and only one applicant across all our Chemistry EPSRC projects will be successful. You can apply for more than one project in Chemistry on the same application, but must list all the projects on your application clearly, and provide a separate supporting statement for each post.

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, this is allocated on a competitive basis, with the funding being allocated to the best international applicants across the University.

The other projects can be found here:

Competitive EPSRC funded PhD in Chemistry: Mechanistic investigation of chemical transformations in molecular solids: towards future energy applications at Cardiff University on FindAPhD.com