Chemistry, University of Southampton

Our molecular assembly research reflects the diversity of organic and inorganic chemistry with a strong flavour of structure determination and structure/function relationships. Active research programmes within our group are concerned with developing new synthetic methodologies, total synthesis of complex biological molecules, green chemistry and catalysis, new framework materials, coordination, macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry for a range of applications eg in materials science, healthcare, electronics and sustainable industrial processes.

The ability to establish the composition (identity) and precise structures of the molecules and materials being prepared are key features of our work and often lead to improved understanding of structure/function relationships. Diffraction techniques therefore play a major role within our molecular assembly research, including single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction (using the UK national neutron facility at ISIS).

Chemistry also hosts the EPSRC National Crystallographic Service led by Professor Phil Gale and Dr Simon Coles with state-of-the-art ultra-high flux X-ray sources for single crystal structure determination. Time resolved X-ray spectroscopic methods also feature strongly, using the major synchrotron facility in the UK (Diamond Light Source) and abroad (ESRF, SLS etc) and ground-breaking work on the development of X-ray spectroscopic methods to probe in situ reactions and in operando catalysts.

Staff within the section are engaged in important interdisciplinary projects involving academics and industrialists both nationally and internationally, where their skills in preparing, handling, characterising and developing applications of new molecules and materials play key roles. Within the University itself we have strong research links with Electronic and Computer Science, Medicine, Physics and Engineering Sciences.