Chemistry thesis and dissertation collection
The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh is the top rated for teaching and research in Scotland.
Presented here is a selection of research from the School
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Development of sustainable catalytic methods for organic synthesis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-06-25)This thesis covers two separate projects, but both of which can be linked by the overall aim to develop sustainable catalytic methodology for use in organic synthesis. A concerted effort has been made to move away from ... -
Robust capsules for biomedical applications
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-06-25)Metallosupramolecular capsules represent a facile route to three-dimensional structures that possess a central cavity. The synthetic accessibility is provided by self-assembly, which allows carefully designed components ... -
Spectroscopic analysis of apoptotic tumour cell-derived extracellular vesicles
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-08-31)Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane delimited particles which are released from cells of all types and disease status. When EVs were first discovered they were thought to be a mechanism to remove waste from ... -
Morpholino oligonucleotides in responsive hydrogels for microRNA sensing
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-06-25)In recent years, microRNA (miRNA) has garnered a high level of interest in the field of biosensor development. MiRNA are a class of small, circulating RNA sequences that are essential for healthy control of protein ... -
Hypervalent iodine(III) oxidants in gold catalysis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-06-25)Hypervalent iodine oxidants have been used extensively in oxidative metal catalysis, especially in gold catalysis, where the redox potential of gold(I) to gold(III) is large. The reoxidation of gold(I) within an intramolecular ... -
Development of earth-abundant metal catalysts for carbon-boron and carbon-carbon bond forming reactions
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-06-25)We have developed a Markovnikov-selective cobalt-catalysed hydroboration of alkenes with pinacolborane at ambient temperature, using a bench-stable bipyridyl-oxazoline catalyst tBuBPOCoCl2 and NaOtBu as the in situ ... -
Functionalisable cyclopolymers by ring-closing metathesis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-02-06)Post‐polymerisation modification of polymers is extremely beneficial in terms of designing brand new synthetic pathways toward functional complex polymers. While many chemical groups could provide a platform for chemical ... -
Developing a spectroscopic technique for assessing liver health
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-02-10)As our largest internal organ, the liver is responsible for the breakdown of toxic compounds, synthesis of multiple hormones and also plays a vital role in metabolism. However, liver disease is the only major cause of ... -
Molecular dynamics study of the structure of functionalised copolymers
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-02-10)Polymers can be decorated with functional groups (FGs) to confer specific and tuneable properties to the molecules. By varying the chemical architecture, concentration, and distribution of the FGs on the polymer, it is ... -
Surface atmosphere dynamics of reactive trace gases and water-soluble aerosol components above agricultural grassland and tropical rainforest
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-02-13)The interaction between biosphere and atmosphere in the cycling of gas and aerosol species is of key importance in considering overall emission and deposition rates of nutrients and pollutants. Understanding of the ... -
Students' learning experience in the chemistry laboratory and their views of science: in defence of pedagogical and philosophical validation of undergraduate chemistry laboratory education
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-06-25)Although laboratory work is often regarded as an indispensable part of modern science education, it was not until the latter 19th century that individual laboratory work became a common phenomenon in science courses. To ... -
Borane-catalysed Alkyne Hydroboration
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-12-13)Within the past few decades, organoboron compounds have become essential intermediates in organic and medicinal chemistry due to their unique advantages and versatility. Many synthetic approaches have been utilised to ... -
Monomer driven design of aromatic-aliphatic polyesters built through ring-opening polymerisation
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-02-05)The growing environmental impact of plastic waste has led to extensive research into the life-cycle of polymeric materials. Reduction in the build-up of commodity plastics, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate), has been ... -
Molecular dynamics simulations of surface-active molecules under bulk and confined conditions
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-12-20)Engine oils are of great significance in the automotive industry as they provide lubrication of the moving mechanical components of the engine, thus decreasing friction, and preventing wear and corrosion. There is ... -
Development of quantitative scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) imaging of single and array micro and nanoband edge platinum electrodes
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-12-20)Imaging by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is an established technique that mixes electrochemistry with microscopy. To name a few examples of its broad applicability, it is used for imaging nanoparticles, ... -
Ultrafast electron dynamics in thin films of Prussian Blue analogues
(The University of Edinburgh, 2020-01-23)The potentially complex energy redistribution processes that occur in inorganic transition metal complexes make the interpretation of their relaxation dynamics a significant challenge. Unlike in organic molecules, where ... -
High spectral resolution mass spectrometry imaging of three-dimensional cell culture
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-11)Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture combines the simplicity of two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems with the complex interplay of factors resembling the multifaceted physiology of tissues in vivo. These microscale ... -
Exploring the solvent extraction of rhodium and gold
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-26)This work explores the solvent extraction of precious metals, specifically rhodium and gold, from chloride solution, with the aims of understanding how existing extractants work and designing new extractants. A wide ... -
Controlling the thermal and photochemical reactivity of the Uranyl ion
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Chapter one of this thesis introduces the chemistry of the element uranium, and its environmentally ubiquitous ion, the urany(VI) ion, UVIO2 2+. Fundamental chemical properties of this oxycation are discussed, alongside ... -
Investigating protein structure by top-down native protein mass spectrometry
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Determining protein structure is the central challenge of structural biology, owing to the integral role of proteins in biological systems along with the complexity and diversity of their structures. It is not only an ...
