Research in Progress in The Dyson Perrins Laboratory
Organic chemistry grew out of the study of natural products, dating back to Pasteur's experiments on the optical activity of tartaric acid salts and the interpretation of his results on the basis of tetrahedral carbon by van't Hoff and Le Bel in 1874. From these beginnings organic chemistry has evolved into a powerful intellectual discipline, based on the structure theory, which provides a rationale for reactivity from the smallest to the most complex molecules. At the highest level of complexity we are concerned with the processes of life. Thus much of modern organic chemistry is essentially concerned with the Chemistry of Life - described and interpreted at the molecular level. This area, often called Bioorganic Chemistry, is under active study in this department. In particular, studies on the biosynthesis of natural products are proceeding at the enzyme level - backed up by the techniques of genetic engineering. The area also embraces studies on the specificity and stereochemistry of enzyme action, with a view to developing synthetic catalysts for the synthesis and modification of biologically active compounds. Researchers in the field will be exposed to synthetic chemistry, mechanistic studies, the use of enzymes as synthetic tools and the application of very high field nmr spectroscopy to these problems.
Organic chemists are actively seeking better ways of making chemicals which allow ever increasing control of the details of chemical reactions, this is of great importance in the tailoring of the properties of molecules e.g. in the synthesis of highly specific drugs which have maximal therapeutic value and a minimum of side effects. Several groups in the DP are actively working in this area, developing new methodology and applying this to the preparation of important compounds. New methodology for controlling the stereochemistry of organic chemical reactions and for developing efficient catalytic chemistry holds promise for exciting development across a wide range of chemical science. Materials chemistry is also being actively studied, particularly from the point of view of opto-electronic applications of new polymers and supramolecular chemistry. Organic chemistry is now a highly developed technological subject which makes widespread use of increasingly sophisticated machinery. The research facilities in the laboratory are second to none in the country including high field nmr spectrometers (500, 300 and 250 MHz machines), a range of sophisticated mass spectrometers, Fourier transform infra-red spectrometers etc., run by professional staff who provide an outstanding spectroscopic service. These unparalleled resources readily facilitate the detailed and varied research outlined above, maintaining the Dyson Perrins Laboratory as the premier organic chemistry department in the country. An active knowledge of the latest developments in organic chemistry in other laboratories is fostered by weekly lectures given by invited speakers from all over the world.
The following pages contain details of the specific research interests of the academic supervisors in the department and they will all be pleased to discuss further details of their research on request.
Professor Jack E Baldwin, FRS Head of Department
