Cu-ZSM-5, which uses a comparable copper active site to perform the same transformation. Despite these precedents, no catalyst, biological or synthetic, functions to an industrial standard, and the precise relationship between copper active-site structure and reactivity is still poorly understood. One bottleneck is the absence of model complexes that faithfully replicate the geometry of these copper active sites. This PhD project will design and synthesise new copper complexes which reproduce the metal coordination environment of these active sites and study their reactivity towards small molecules.
Both copper(I/II) and aluminium(I) will be incorporated into ligand scaffolds, and the reactivity towards O2 explored, with the resulting complexes then studied for their capacity to activate strong C–H bonds. The project will include activation of other small, kinetically inert gases of environmental and industrial relevance, such as N2O and CO2. Working across synthesis, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and computational chemistry, the project will prepare a series of copper and aluminium complexes and their oxygen-derived derivatives, characterising each by NMR, X-ray diffraction, EPR, UV/vis, cyclic voltammetry, magnetometry, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, supported by DFT calculations of electronic structure. The resulting complexes will then be tested as homogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes, phenols, and other biologically relevant substrates. Mechanistic investigations will directly link structure, electronic configuration, and reactivity, while demonstrating a route to catalysis built on abundant, sustainable metals.
This project is ideal for candidates with a background in synthetic inorganic, organometallic, or bioinorganic chemistry interested in the intersection of synthetic coordination chemistry, spectroscopy, and computational modelling. The student will work as part of a collaborative team and will be trained in air-sensitive synthetic techniques, a broad range of spectroscopic and structural characterisation methods, electrochemistry, and computational chemistry for modelling electronic structure and reaction mechanisms. Informal email enquiries are welcomed at Dan.Wilson@UCL.ac.uk.
Prospective candidates should have a 1st or 2:1 M-level qualification in chemistry or a related subject. Candidates should have experience in synthetic inorganic chemistry, ideally with experience in handling air- and moisture-sensitive compounds. Experience in relevant spectroscopic techniques (NMR, IR, UV/vis, XRC, EPR) and/or computational (ORCA, gaussian) is desirable. Candidates should be able to demonstrate aptitude for problem solving, critical and creative thinking, independence, and time management. The candidate will be working as part of a small and highly focussed team, so must be both collaborative and considerate.
To be considered for the position candidates must apply via King’s Apply online application system. Details are available at Research degrees | Department of Chemistry | King’s College London Please apply for Chemistry Research MPhil/PhD and indicate Daniel Wilson as the supervisor and quote the project title in your application and all correspondence. Please ensure to add the following code 1137 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.
Funding Notes
Stipend: Tax-free stipend set at the standard UKRI rate, currently £23,805 per annum for the 26/27 academic year (including London Weighting Allowance)
Bench Fees: Research Training Support Grant allowance of approximately £5000 per year for wet lab research
Tuition fees: Covered by the studentship (home)
