Department of Chemistry

Inorganic

Research groups within the Inorganic Chemistry section undertake internationally-recognised research across a broad range of inorganic molecular and materials chemistry. Particular areas of current interest include:

  • novel electronic nano-materials
  • transition-metal catalysed organic transformations
  • time-resolved crystallography and crystal engineering
  • new materials for lithium batteries and solar cells
  • precursors for chemical vapour deposition
  • functional metal-organic frameworks and carbon nanostructures
  • polymerisation catalysis
  • new catalysts for sustainable processes

The research groups have access to state-of-the-art equipment, both within the department and through well-established external links (e.g. Diamond and Isis, RAL). Members of the section also have strong collaborations with other departments within Bath, especially Chemical Engineering through the successful Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in Sustainable Chemical Technologies; and have active collaborations nationally (e.g. Supergen consortia) and internationally.

Staff research interests 

Prof M G Davidson

  • Structure and bonding of Main Group compounds
  • s-block metal-Group 15 complexes as organic reagents
  • Weak hydrogen-bonding interactions
  • Transition-metal catalysed organic transformations and polymerisations

Prof P R Raithby

  • Organometallic polymers with opto-electronic properties
  • Transition metal clusters as precursors to novel nano-materials
  • Structural systematics using chemical informatics

Prof K C Molloy

  • Synthesis of novel organometallic precursors for MOCVD
  • Inorganic polymers
  • Supramolecular assemblies containing main group elements

Dr A D Burrows

  • Supramolecular coordination chemistry
  • Multifunctional ligand design
  • Crystal engineering

Dr M S Hill

  • Alkaline earth complexes
  • subvalent main group species
  • Group 13 and 14 based electronic materials
  • organolanthanide catalysis
  • CVD and nanomaterial precursors

Dr A L Johnson

  • Metal-alkoxide coordination chemistry
  • Lewis acid reagents
  • New catalysts for the polymerisation of cyclic esters

Dr R D Köhn

  • Co-ordination chemistry of triazacyclohexanes
  • Organometallic chromium complexes for catalysis of olefin trimerisation and polymerisation
  • Bio-inorganic chemistry for the modelling of oxygen activation

Dr M F Mahon

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Crystal engineering
  • Supramolecular architectures

Dr S I Pascu

  • Targeted delivery of metal ions, encapsulated within single wall carbon
  • nanotubes and dynamic nanocapsules
  • Designing new pharmaceuticals for simultaneous imaging and therapy
  • Supramolecular homogeneous catalysis
  • Pseudorotaxane-type structures for molecular switches
  • Synthetic coordination and organometallic chemistry

Dr M K Whittlesey

  • Water-soluble phosphines in catalysis
  • Activation of small molecules (C-H and C-F bonds)
  • Mechanistic inorganic chemistry using high-pressure IR spectroscopy

Dr P J Wilson

  • Conducting organometallic oligomers and polymers
  • Inorganic light emitting diodes

Dr Aron Walsh

  • Next generation thin-film and quantum dot solar cells
  • Hydrogen producing photocatalysts.
  • Transparent conducting oxides
  • Hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductor networks and interfaces.
  • Lone pair containing oxides
 
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