Introduction
Summary of Research Areas
Although the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory was first established
as part of the University Museum in 1860, the Chair of Inorganic
Chemistry was set up only in 1963. Research involves 50-60 4th year
Part II chemists (1 year), 70-80 DPhil candidates (3 years), approximately
40 postdoctoral workers, many distinguished academic visitors, as
well as four Royal Society Research Fellows and the 20 permanent
members of academic staff. It covers a range of interests unusually
wide for a department of inorganic chemistry, including especially
coordination and organometallic chemistry, catalysis, solid-state
and surface chemistry, electrochemistry, the study of proteins, enzymes
and the role of magnetic species in biological systems, and the application
of a variety of spectroscopic and diffraction techniques. Both experimental
and theoretical aspects are addressed.
Research in the Laboratory is carried out in groups led by a member
of academic staff. Research interests can be divided into the following
areas, although considerable overlap necessarily exists:
Bioinorganic chemistry
This research focuses on the many roles of metals in biological
systems. The structure and function of proteins and enzymes are
probed using electrochemistry, kinetic and spectroscopic studies,
involving NMR and EPR measurements, and scanning probe microscopy.
The possible biomedical applications of some metal complexes are
investigated.
F
A Armstrong J
R Dilworth L
L Wong J
J Davis L
J Smith
Catalysis
A range of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic systems is
under investigation, including homogeneous catalysts for Ziegler-Natta
olefin polymerisation and Fischer-Tropsch catalysis. Heterogeneous
catalysts investigated in the Wolfson Catalysis Centre include
carbon-nanotube-based systems. Investigations also encompass electron
transfer and active site modelling in metalloenzymes.
M
L H Green P
Mountford D
M O’Hare F
A Armstrong J
R Dilworth
Co-ordination Chemistry
This encompasses a range of synthetic, spectroscopic and theoretical
studies of main group, d-metal and f-block transition metal molecules
and clusters. Research ranges from the synthesis of reactive molecules
in low-temperature matrices to the design of ligand systems which
confer particular redox properties on metal ions or which act as
molecular switches on binding both metal and/or anionic guest species.
Such systems may be important in unravelling catalytic mechanisms,
in metal extraction, or in biology.
P
D Beer A
J Downs R
G Denning J
R Dilworth J
C Green M
L H Green P
Mountford L
L WongD
M O’Hare
Organometallic Chemistry
The interests in this area include the synthesis of new catalysts
for olefin polymerisation, metathesis and oxidation, the activation
of small molecules such as N2, O2, CO2 and
hydrocarbons such as methane, and the use of metal vapour synthesis
to study the reactions of metal atoms. Investigations of the structures
of organometallic molecules by photoelectron and vibrational spectroscopies
are related to theoretical studies, typically using density functional
theory.
P
Mountford M
L H Green J
C Green A
J Downs D
M O’Hare J
R Dilworth
Structural Chemistry
The investigation of molecular structures using NMR spectroscopy,
vibrational spectroscopies and electron diffraction, and the investigation
of the crystal structures of molecular and extended solids using
single crystal and powder X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron
diffraction and electron microscopy are central to the research
of all members of the department. The structures of protein-based
systems using scanning probe methods are important in biological
systems. Development of these techniques includes the design and
development of new algorithms and systems in software for structure
analysis from high performance X-ray diffractometers.
P
D Beer P
D Battle S
J Clarke J
R Dilworth A
J Downs M
L H Green J
J Davis D
M O’Hare D
J Watkin
Solid State Chemistry
Investigations of the synthesis, structures and properties of
extended solids includes the synthesis of complex metal oxides
which may display properties such as superconductivity or colossal
magnetoresistance, and their electronic and magnetic characterisation.
The synthesis of metal nitrides, oxynitrides, sulfides and oxyphosphides
involves high temperature and chimie douce approaches such as intercalation
chemistry. Spectroscopic and other studies of the electronic properties
of metal oxides are related to theoretical descriptions of the
behaviour of electrons confined to narrow energy bands. The possibility
of using intercalates of layered double hydroxides in drug delivery
is being explored. Diffraction investigations include the measurement
of magnetic ordering using neutron diffraction, in situ studies
of solid state reactions using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and
the crystallisation of salts inside single-walled carbon nanotubes
using electron microscopy.
P
D Battle S
J Clarke D
M O’Hare R
G Egdell R
G Denning P
A Cox M
L H Green
Computer-aided molecular and material design
As computers become more powerful, it is now possible to attempt
computer simulation of metal oxide structures, and to carry out
increasingly sophisticated calculations of the electronic structures
of organometallic molecules. These techniques can be used to guide
synthetic work on solid state, organometallic and coordination
chemistry.
On-line chemical resources, including publication and teaching
on optical (CD-ROM) and electronic media, are also being developed.
P
D Battle J
C Green K
N Harrison
Surface Chemistry
The investigation of surfaces is important in understanding catalytic
processes and electron transfer processes at electrodes. Research
in this area includes the investigation of metal oxides by LEED
and STM and the manipulation of individual atoms on a surface.
The examination of electrode surfaces using scanning probe techniques
and molecular surface spectroscopies provides the means of investigating
surface modification by chemisorbed species and the effect this
has on reactions at the interfaces.
R
G Egdell J
J Davis
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