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PhD Studentship in Chemistry: Exploring new reactivity in low-oxidation state main-group chemistry

Subject areas:

Chemistry.

Funding type:

Study costs. Stipend. Research Training & Support Grant.

Awarding body:

King's College London.



The design, synthesis and characterisation of new low oxidation state main-group organometallic compounds; building towards the use of main-group metals in redox driven catalytic processes.

Award details

Main-group chemistry has seen a rapid rise in popularity in recent years; from the synthesis of chemical curiosities that are impossibly stable, to the use of main-group complexes in catalysis, bond activation and materials applications. Exploration of this often-underutilised section of the periodic table is driven by the cheap, Earth abundant and non-toxic nature of many of these elements as well as the need to alleviate global demand on the conventional precious metal systems more commonly employed in many chemical processes.

Recent advances is the field have revealed that main-group elements have can adopt reactivity more commonly associated with transition metals, with redox-type processes now becoming valuable synthetic methodologies [1]. In particular, group 2 and group 13 metals have shown themselves to be stable and isolatable in unusual low oxidation states when suitable supporting ligands are employed. The field is progressing rapidly, for instance since 2018 there has been an explosion of new low oxidation state aluminium compounds isolated which have been shown to exhibit a wide range of diverse and unusual reactivity [2]. We are interested in creating new low oxidation state main-group complexes and exploring their reactivity.

This project will focus on the design, synthesis and characterisation of new low oxidation state main-group organometallic compounds. More specifically we are interested in: accessing new examples of low oxidation state main group compounds via untraditional synthetic routes; building towards the use of main-group metals in redox driven catalytic processes by targeting reversible processes; developing methods to isolate low oxidation state compounds on a synthetically useful scale and reactivity investigations with an emphasis on the activation of environmentally relevant small molecules (e.g. C–H activation in hydrocarbons, CO2, CO). The student will be trained in; methods for the synthesis and handling of air and moisture sensitive chemicals and compounds (Schlenk line techniques, glove box), synthetic analytical techniques (e.g. NMR, XRD, mass spectrometry), methods for elucidating reaction pathways/mechanisms, option for using computations to support research (DFT).

References:

1.C. Weetman, S. Inoue, ChemCatChem 2018, 10, 4213-4228.

2. K. Hobson, C. Carmalt, C. Bakewell, Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 6942-6956

Award value

Stipend: Tax-free stipend set at the standard UKRI rate, currently £21,237 per annum (including London Weighting Allowance).

RTSG: Research Training Support Grant allowance of approximately £4,500 per year for wet lab research.

Tuition fees: Covered by the studentship.

Eligibility criteria

Prospective candidates should have a 1st or 2:1 M-level qualification in Chemistry, or a related subject.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate an aptitude for problem solving, time management, creative thinking and independence. We will work as part of a small and highly focussed team, so the ability to work in a synergistic and collaborative manner is important.

Experience of synthetic inorganic chemistry is desirable but not essential.

Application process

To be considered for the position candidates must apply via King’s Apply online application system. Details are available at Department of Chemistry Postgraduate webpage

Please apply for Chemistry Research MPhil/PhD and indicate Dr Clare Bakewell as the supervisor and quote the project title in your application and all correspondence.

Please ensure to add the following code: EPSRCNIBakewell in the Funding section of the application form. Please select option 5 ‘I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London’ and type the code into the ‘Award Scheme Code or Name’ box. Please copy and paste the code exactly.

The selection process will involve a pre-selection on documents and, if selected, will be followed by an invitation to an interview. If successful at the interview, an offer will be provided in due course.

Contact Details

If you require support with the application process please contact chemistry-pgr@kcl.ac.uk.

 
 

Academic year:

2025-26

Grant code:

EPSRCNIBakewell

Study mode:

Postgraduate research

Application closing date:

15 December 2024