Immobilised Phosphines for Applications in Catalysis - Design, Synthesis, Study, and Application

This research program will deliver versatile methods for preparing tuneable solid oxide-immobilised phosphines for applications in industrially-relevant catalysis, providing mechanistic/kinetic comparisons between homo-/heterogeneous systems.

This project will develop modular approaches for the synthesis of a range of readily recoverable, immobilised phosphines and explore their use as ligands for various transition metals. The project will provide state-of-the-art approaches to synthesise both tuned oxide support materials and organophosphine ligands; the materials generated will be tested in a range of catalytic applications. Studies will be undertaken to compare and contrast the behaviour of the immobilised systems with their soluble counterparts in order to probe so-called “support effects”.

The student will be given broad training in synthetic chemistry, in particular the synthesis, handling and characterisation of highly air- and moisture-sensitive samples, and the use of high pressure autoclave techniques. NMR and IR spectroscopies (both solution and solid state), mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography will be key characterisation tools. In addition to synthetic training, the student will learn how to undertake kinetic investigations of the various catalytic processes. This project is being co-funded by Johnson Matthey and there will be frequent opportunities for interaction with the industrial partner something that allows for a particularly broad training programme that will enhance the employability of the student after graduation.

Supervisor Dr Phil Dyer - https://www.dur.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/profile/?id=1317
http://community.dur.ac.uk/p.w.dyer/

Informal enquiries please contact: [Email Address Removed]

Academic criteria: We require applicants to have at least a 2.1 MChem degree in chemistry or equivalent to be considered for PhD study.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should apply for Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry with a start date of 2020 via the Durham University application portal: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/
In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisor of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select that you are applying for a funded project.