Asymmetric synthesis;  Homogeneous catalysis; Greener Synthetic methodology; mechanism-led catalyst design.

1. Asymmetric catalysis Asymmetric synthesis has developed into one of the most important fields of modern chemistry. The most efficient method to prepare an enantiomerically pure compound is to use a tiny amount of a chiral catalyst to mediate an asymmetric transformation. We are interested in developing new families of catalysts and uncovering new reactivity in this area.  We are particularly keen to develop reactions that have the right characteristics for larger scale applicaiton should good enough catalysts be developed.

2. Catalytic Synthesis We are also interested in using new and known catalysts to devise improved, selective syntheses of important intermediates for fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals etc.

3. Catalyst design: Using physical Organic Chemistry approaches to understand how catalysts work, and improve the performance of catalysts for important reactions.

4. Greener Organic Chemistry enables by Catalysis: Probably underpinning all these projects is an aim to develop more environmentally benign approach to important chemicals.

Much of our work is aimed at producing new catalysts for reactions that could be operated in industrial scale synthesis of fine or bulk chemicals. There have been research collaborations with a variety of companies in most sectors of the chemical industry.

BSc (Hons), University of Bath; PhD, University of Bath; FRSC