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Molecular Synthesis

Integrating the design, synthesis and characterisation of both organic and inorganic molecules. We specifically focus on the development and application of new and flexible chemical methodologies to synthesise a breadth of systems, and exploit the use of enabling chemical tools to deliver efficient and versatile processes.

The Molecular Synthesis research section is one of the largest in the School. Consisting of ten independently active research sections, we focus on the development of new methods, molecules and materials that span a broad range of applications with importance to modern society. Our activities diversify across the traditional inorganic and organic chemistry boundaries, often within a multidisciplinary context. The research is underpinned through collaboration with other research interest sections and scientific disciplines (including biology, pharmacy, medicine, engineering and physics), as well as direct links with numerous industry partners.

The grouping covers a wide range of activities that fall within the Molecular Synthesis remit, including work on both organic and inorganic systems. Fundamental and applied research in combination with advanced characterisation techniques has allowed a number of research themes to develop. Project areas in Molecular Synthesis arising from our interests:

Methodology for discovering new molecules:

  • Reagent development based on hypervalent iodine and selenium electrophiles.
  • New ligands for s-, d- and f-block metal ions.
  • Development of novel chiral reagents, including phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbenes.
  • Homogeneous catalysis using metal complexes, including alkaline earth metals and main group Lewis acids.
  • Frustrated Lewis pairs.
  • Exploring new frontiers in organocatalysis.
    Valorisation of biomass to fine and speciality chemicals.

Synthesis in the context of Biology and Medicine:

  • Labelled probes for use as genosensors in DNA binding.
  • Multimodal bioimaging agents.
  • Molecular diagnostics and sensors.
  • Paramagnetic metal nanoparticles for MRI.

Synthesis in the context of Pharmacy:

  • New organo-fluorine motifs.
  • Metallodrug therapeutics.
  • Antimicrobial metal complexes.

Synthesis in the context of Engineering:

  • Microreactors.
  • Continuous flow chemistry and other enabling technologies.

Synthesis in the context of Materials:

  • Fundamental development and understanding of surfactants as detection and decontamination media.
  • Micellar solutions for use as colloidal catalysts.

Find out more details of group members specific research interests by looking at their individual profiles under the  people tab.

Group Leader

Professor Thomas Wirth

Professor Thomas Wirth

Professor of Organic Chemistry

Email
wirtht@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 6968

Academic staff

Dr Nisar Ahmed

Dr Nisar Ahmed

EPSRC Investigator in synthetic organic chemistry and enabling chemical technologies

Email
ahmedn14@cardiff.ac.uk
Dr Angelo Amoroso

Dr Angelo Amoroso

Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry and Director of Learning and Teaching

Email
amorosoaj@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 4077
Dr Niklaas Buurma

Dr Niklaas Buurma

Senior Lecturer in Physical Organic Chemistry

Email
buurma@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 0301
Professor Ian Fallis

Professor Ian Fallis

Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Director of Research Innovation

Email
fallis@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 5976
Professor Rebecca Melen

Professor Rebecca Melen

Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and EPSRC Early Career Fellow

Email
melenr@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 9667
Dr Louis Morrill

Dr Louis Morrill

Senior Lecturer in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Email
morrilllc@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 5840
Dr Paul Newman

Dr Paul Newman

Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry and Undergraduate Admissions Tutor

Email
newmanp1@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 0464
Professor Simon Pope

Professor Simon Pope

Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Director of PGR

Email
popesj@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 9316
Dr Ben Ward

Dr Ben Ward

Senior Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry

Email
wardbd@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 0302