Physical Organic Chemistry

The School of Chemistry from Cardiff University, has developed a particular strength in Physical Organic Chemistry, with a research group dedicated to this exciting area of study. As part of the Chemistry (PhD/MPhil) programme, students can conduct their research within this group.

The topics being investigated on this Physical Organic Chemistry Physical Organic Chemistry programme from Cardiff University Cardiff University , are extremely wide ranging, stretching from the development of new methods for catalysing reactions, through the development of better understanding of organic reactions in aqueous solutions, to the development of biosensors and the directed assembly of functional multicomponent systems.

 Underpinning this breadth of applications is the detailed, quantitative understanding of the fundamental properties and reactions and interactions of organic molecules.

Skills developed

• Synthesis  of novel organic and/or biological molecules.

• Physical  and biophysical analysis methods

• Wide  range of quantitative measurements and data analysis techniques.

• Computational  techniques, including molecular mechanics, quantum chemistry and molecular  dynamics simulations.

Distinctive features

• Research in physical organic chemistry offers a unique combination of physical and (synthetic) organic chemistry, in combination with applied mathematics for data analysis.
• Strong  interdisciplinary collaborations support projects across traditional subject divisions.
• The laboratories of the EPSRC-funded Physical Organic Chemistry Centre were opened in 2007.
• Extensive  collaborations internationally including with groups in Europe, Japan and the United States; a number of projects allow placements abroad.
• The Physical Organic Chemistry Centre maintains very strong ties with other Physical Organic Chemistry groups in the UK and worldwide.

Available research specialisations within this area:

• Design  and synthesis of sequence-specific DNA biosensors
• Study  of reaction mechanisms of homogeneous catalysts
• Directed  assembly of functional multicomponent nanostructures
• Racemisation  of drug-like chiral centres
• Mechanistic  studies of nanoparticle catalysis