Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Organic Synthesis (PhD/MPhil)

The School of Chemistry has developed a particular strength in Organic Synthesis, 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.

Course Aims

To offer knowledge and expertise for a career in the pharmaceuticals and fine chemical sectors, teaching, biomedical research fields, research and managerial roles in general manufacturing industry (eg. food, cosmetics, petrochemical etc).

Special Features

• The School has undergone an extensive revitalisation in the last few years and occupies newly refurbished laboratories with excellent facilities for research and teaching.
• Chemistry continues to attract an expanding team of researchers, as well as maintaining an extensive network of industrial contacts.
• Strong interdisciplinary collaborations support projects across traditional subject divisions; postgraduates interact across these groups.
• New facilities for synthetic and catalytic chemistry, including an advanced pressurereaction suite for catalyst development and investigation and the opening of the laboratories of the new EPSRC-funded Physical Organic Chemistry Centre.
• Extensive collaborations internationally; a number of research programmes allow placements abroad, including in Europe and America.

Course Description

The research carried out within the Organic Synthesis group is very largely focused on the development of novel synthetic methods and applications of these in target synthesis, most often either natural products or biologically active compounds of pharmaceutical or agrochemical significance. In many cases, the inspiration for developing the new methodology arises from a consideration of the structural features of such targets.

Particular areas of current interest are in heterocyclic synthesis, both saturated and heteroaromatic. Driven by the demands of industry and environmental considerations, much of this effort is aimed at defining new methods for the highly efficient and catalytic generation of such compounds. This can involve new heterogeneous catalysts or microwave activation in flow systems and the application of novel rearrangement reactions or radical chemistry.

A particularly strong theme is the formation of such compounds by the electrophile-driven addition of nucleophiles to unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds. A long standing interest in pericyclic reactions continues in the areas of Diels-Alder chemistry, various sigmatropic rearrangements and electrocyclic reactions. Organocatalysis, an increasingly important area in view of the toxicity of many transition metals, is well represented within the group. Current target types include complex polycyclic peptides, poly-nitrogen alkaloids, steroids, terpene alkaloids, lactones and plant-derived oxygen heterocycles.

Entry Requirements

Suitable for graduates with a good honours degree or equivalent in chemistry or a related subject. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to pass IELTS/TOEFL exams.

Note: International students pursuing part-time programmes of study are not eligible for Tier 4 General Student) visas and must have alternative leave to remain in the UK if they intend to study at the University in person.

Next intake: The University has four entry points for research degrees; 1st October, 1st January, 1st April or 1st July

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