The Research Group at the University of York, York, UK

 

The research group in York (http://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry) has three academic staff .

 

Robin Perutz (http://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/rnp)

Research in supramolecular photochemistry, organometallic photochemistry and activation of small molecules by transition metals.  Targets of the research span a range from detailed reaction mechanisms to synthetic applications.

 

Anne-Kathrin Duhme-Klair (http://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/akd)

Research in biomimetic chemistry and the role of molybdenum in biological systems. Studies of molybdate siderophores have led to designs for molecules that alter their luminescence properties in response to molybdate. With Robin Perutz, design of luminescent probes of oxo-molybdenum enzymes.

 

Simon Duckett (http://www.york.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/sbd)

Organometallic reaction mechanisms especially via NMR methods. Use of para-hydrogen enhancement of NMR spectra to observe reaction intermediates and species at very low concentration. Role of metal hydride complexes in catalytic reaction mechanisms. With Robin Perutz, development of in-situ laser photolysis within an NMR probe for observation of very reactive species.

 

Aquachem Projects:

·  Synthesis of fluorescent molybdate sensors in aqueous solution

·  Initiation of redox processes in aqueous solution by photo-induced electron transfer

·  Photochemistry of metal hydride complexes in aqueous solution

 

Facilities in York:  

400 and 500 MHz NMR spectrometers

                                               Diffractometer with CCD detection

                                               Electrospray and Electron impact mass spectrometers

                                               Laser flash photolysis

                                               Fluorimetry

                                               Synthetic facilities with glove boxes, etc

                                               para-hydrogen enhanced NMR spectroscopy

                                               General photochemistry                            

                                               Computational facilities for theory

Training in York:

Programmes are available for training at a postgraduate level in a wide range of skills including experimental techniques, presentation methods, computational methods, intellectual property rights, etc.

 

Research Activity in York: The three research groups have ca. 20 members in total including students or postdocs from Holland, China, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Iraq, France. There are active collaborations with research groups in several countries in addition to those in Aquachem.