PhD in green and sustainable synthetic organic chemistry

In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline we have an opportunity to develop novel, green and sustainable synthetic methods of relevance to the pharmaceutical industry. The specific transformation of interest is allylic oxidation. Whilst many methods exist for this transformation, the majority of processes require (super)stoichiometric transition metal-based oxidants which are both toxic and expensive. This project is concerned with addressing these deficiencies through the development of green, efficient and sustainable processes for the conversion of an alkene to an a,b-unsaturated enone. Through the development of a mechanistic understanding we will identify and optimise methods for the allylic oxidation of both alkene and arene substrates and apply these to the preparation of pharmaceutically relevant targets.

The candidate should have an interest in physical organic chemistry and the determination of mechanistic pathways, applying this knowledge to the development of reactants, reagents and catalysts. The candidate should also have an interest in developing a knowledge of molecular modelling and DFT calculations and applying this understanding to support and direct their laboratory-based work.