PhD position in synthetic inorganic/organometallic chemistry: New reactivity from unusual molecular main group compounds

The chemistry of the main group elements has seen some remarkable advances in the past years. A range of highly unusually bonded main group compounds from the s- and p-block of the periodic table has been prepared in recent years that has led to some surprising reactivity being discovered including unusual activation reactions of organic molecules and relatively inert industrially relevant small molecules. Your project will systematically study well-defined molecular main group compounds, especially of highly Earth abundant and benign elements, largely stabilized by sterically demanding ligands and explore their properties and novel reactivity. The PhD research will involve the synthesis and characterization of molecular main group compounds, the design and synthesis of suitable sterically demanding ligand systems, exploratory reactivity studies of new main group compounds, and their application in synthesis and catalysis. During your project, you will use Schlenk line and glove box techniques for compound handling and various techniques such as multinuclear NMR spectroscopy for compound characterization. The School of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews provides an excellent research infrastructure and operates a wide range of state-of-the-art characterization equipment. Examples (open access) of some recent work can be found here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202204472 and https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2019/sc/c9sc03857d .

For all enquiries about the project, please email Dr Andreas Stasch (as411@st-andrews.ac.uk) directly. Some funding options for UK, EU and international students are available. Interested students should please get in contact as early as possible to be well ahead of any potential deadlines. We encourage applications for the EaSI-CAT Centre for Doctoral Training (http://www.criticat.co.uk) and from Chinese nationals through the St Andrews CSC Scheme (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study-abroad/global-research/csc/). Self-funded international students are encouraged to apply and make use of the Handsel scheme (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/chemistry/news/title-162392-en.php) by the University that will cover the international component of the tuition fees. Please see: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/chemistry/prospective/pgr/ for the application procedure or e-mail chempg@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information regarding PhD opportunities at St Andrews.

Typically, applicants must have completed, or are soon to complete, a relevant chemistry degree (e.g. Master’s degree) at a high level (e.g. 2.1 minimum or equivalent). Good communication skills, the ability to work safely, independently and in a team environment, as well as a strong interest in main group chemistry are essential. Previous experience in the handling and characterization of air and moisture sensitive compounds is desirable but not essential.