chemistry less well understood, they have the potential to offer unique and complementary reactivity patterns. Building upon breakthrough findings in the Chaplin group, this project will harness the thermal stability conferred by rigid mer -tridentate “pincer” ligands to systematically investigate the organometallic chemistry of rhodium(II) complexes. Practical work will involve ligand orientated organic synthesis and the manipulation of late transition metal complexes in solution and the solid state under an inert atmosphere. Collection and analysis of EPR and crystallographic data will be key component of the project and full training will be provided.
Representative group publications:
Solid-state hydrogenation of nitrous oxide: Inorg. Chem. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6c04272 2026, in press
Hydrogen atom abstraction reactions: Organometallics https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.organomet.6c00053 2026, 45, 892–901 and J. Am. Chem. Soc. http://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c04167 2023, 145, 14087–14100
Radical oxidative addition: Organometallics http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.organomet.2c00400 2022, 41, 3557–3567
Bespoke pincer ligand design: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202009546 2020, 59, 23500–23504
Further information about the Chaplin group: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/chaplingroup
How to apply: Enquires should be directed in the first instance to Prof Adrian Chaplin (a.b.chaplin@warwick.ac.uk). Please include a current CV that details any past research work. Applications must have excellent synthetic chemistry and analytical skills. Competitive applicants will hold or be expected to receive a first-class honours degree in Chemistry. Previous experience working with open-shell transition metal complexes is desirable, but not essential.
Funding Notes
Funding is available through the University of Warwick’s postgraduate research scholarship competitions, with the Chancellors Scholarship scheme a focal point for this project. This scheme provides full payment of academic fees, a maintenance stipend at the UKRI rate for 3.5 years (£22,437 p/a for 2027/28), and the opportunity for international students to apply for financial support towards the cost of immigration to the UK.
