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 Physical Organic Chemistry programme, students can conduct their research within this group.

The topics being investigated on this Physical Organic Chemistry programmefrom 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

• Researchin physical organic chemistry offers a unique combination of physical and (synthetic)organic chemistry, in combination with applied mathematics for data analysis.
• Stronginterdisciplinary collaborations support projects across traditional subjectdivisions.
• Thelaboratories of the EPSRC-funded Physical Organic Chemistry Centre were openedin 2007.
• Extensivecollaborations internationally including with groups in Europe, Japan and theUnited States; a number of projects allow placements abroad.
• ThePhysical 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