PhD Project: Synthesis and application of meta-stable chemicals in novel tandem reactions

About the Project

This project will investigate the atom-efficient functionalisation of key renewable feedstocks, which have been identified by the industrial partner BASF to be of potential commercial significance. These feedstocks can be modified using highly reactive intermediates to yield downstream chemicals, which can directly feed into existing infrastructure for further processing; this approach will enhance the biogenic carbon content and thus sustainability of many end products in the commodity and fine chemicals sectors.

Process safety concerns in the handling of unstable/energetic substances can be mitigated by making these molecules on demand from stable precursors, then consuming them immediately in a downstream, so-called “telescoped” reaction with a substrate (in this case the renewable feedstock molecule). Building on findings from a recent collaboration, we will explore the selective generation of unusual, highly energetic intermediates.

This experimental project is at the interface of chemistry and chemical engineering: it is about synthesising and characterising chemical structures and reaction pathways (chemistry) that are facilitated through flow chemistry in reactors that are operated at extreme processing conditions (chemical engineering). The experimental work will be complemented by computational modelling and simulation (e.g. using Python or COMSOL Multiphysics) to help optimise the experimental setup and analyse results, including model-based design of experiments (MbDoE) if appropriate.

The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Chemical Engineering (supervised by Dr Chris Tighe and co-supervised by Prof Klaus Hellgardt), working closely with the Department of Chemistry (Dr Phil Miller). They will liaise frequently with industrial supervisors at BASF within the Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (IDLA) scheme, and will have the opportunity for a placement with them during their PhD.

Eligibility, Qualifications and Skills

Applicants must have:

• UK home Student status, as defined by UKRI https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ukri-training-grant-guidance/
• Minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in chemical engineering or chemistry.
• Strong motivation to learn chemical engineering (if chemistry background) or vice versa.
• Excellent practical skills, which can be applied to building new and modifying existing setups in the laboratory.

An MSc or MPhil with a significant research component is desirable.

Funding Notes

Industrial Doctoral Landscape Awards (IDLA) sponsored by BASF