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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Group 13 exchange for catalytic turnover
(The University of Edinburgh, 2023-01-25)Transition metals are able to undergo redox-active processes, such as oxidative addition and reductive elimination with carbon-element bonds. These two fundamental steps have allowed for the majority of metal-catalysed ... -
Water treatment in rural India using sunlight and low-cost materials
(The University of Edinburgh, 2023-01-24)Access to safe drinking water is essential yet threatened for many, with the United Nations highlighting the importance of providing clean water for all as one of their Sustainable Development Goals to be met by 2030. ... -
Kinetics of a dual nickel and iridium photocatalysed cross-coupling
(The University of Edinburgh, 2023-01-24)Over the past decade, photoredox catalysis has developed into an important tool for synthetic chemists. Of particular importance has been the dual photoredox/nickel catalysis technique pioneered by the Doyle, MacMillan and ... -
Transborylation as a general turnover strategy for main-group catalysis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2023-01-20)The use of organoboron reagents was once widespread in chemical synthesis due to the range and versatility of reactivity offered. These transformations include asymmetric reduction, hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes, ... -
Immobilised TiO₂ mesocrystals and their application in solar cells and photocatalysis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2023-01-17)Semiconductors play a vital role in many energy- and environment-related areas, and their performance is often affected by their morphology and architecture. Mesocrystal is a hierarchical structure developed from natural ... -
Investigations of indole-alkaloid biogenesis through synthesis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2023-01-11)Biomimetic synthesis is a blanket term used to describe a great number of synthetic endeavours, broadly encapsulated by using reactions and materials available during organic metabolism. Herein, we will be utilising ... -
Thinking inside the box: mechanisms in non-covalent catalysis with Pd₂L₄ capsules
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-22)Non-covalent catalysis with coordination capsules continues to be an ever-expanding subfield of supramolecular chemistry. With this expansion comes increasingly refined studies of reaction mechanism, revealing how ... -
Source apportionment of organic gas and particulate matter pollutants using concentration and flux measurements in Delhi
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-15)One of the world’s worst cities for air pollution is Delhi, India. Past studies have shown air pollution in Delhi has a significant burden on the population’s respiratory and cardiovascular health. It is therefore ... -
Stereoretentive enantioconvergent multicomponent reactions and total synthesis of (±)-ulodione A
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-14)This thesis describes the work of two discrete projects. Chapters 2 to 3 detail the development of new enantioconvergent methodology - stereoretentive enantioconvergent multicomponent reactions. Chapters 4 to 5 detail the ... -
Main group salen-based catalysts for lactide ring-opening polymerisation
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-13)Lactide ring-opening polymerisation (LA ROP) is an efficient route to convert biomass into biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) with high molecular weight and well controlled polymer microstructure. So far, most catalyst ... -
Students’ experience in chemistry laboratory: conceptualising the role of chemistry laboratory learning from students’ end and developing the schema of student needs
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-12)Laboratory work is a unique aspect of science education and an important component of the curriculum in tertiary chemistry education. Practitioners and researchers have described the undergraduate laboratory as a complex ... -
Occlusion of polymeric capsules in calcite single crystals for storage of active pharmaceutical ingredients
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-07)Developing a new drug storage system is imperative, especially for macromolecules with limited shelf-lives, pharmaceutical cures for unforeseeable epidemics, and drugs with short-lived therapeutic windows. In this work, ... -
Assessment of SERS-active nanosensors as a tool for pH measurements within living cells
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-12-06)Intracellular and intraorganellar pH is an essential aspect of the maintenance of proper cellular functions. Measurement of pH within cells could therefore elucidate crucial information regarding cell behaviour and pathology. ... -
Stapled by design, new peptide-based therapeutic leads targeting protein-protein interactions
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-11-29)Interest in the development of peptide-based therapeutics has increased in recent years, mainly due to the relatively low toxicity of both the peptides and their metabolites, and the ready availability of building blocks ... -
Investigation into the coordination chemistry of novel polypyrrolic ligands and the reduction of uranyl complexes
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-11-28)The work presented in this thesis describes the design, synthesis, and reactivity of various acyclic and macrocyclic dipyrrins and their complexation to several alkali-, transition-, and actinide metals is investigated. ... -
Directed electrophilic C-H Borylation using Trihaloboranes
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-11-24)Given the wide-ranging interest in aryl boranes as either synthetic precursors or boron-containing emissive materials, new synthetic routes to such compounds are of particular interest. Current methodologies are often ... -
Developing a novel fluorescent imaging point-of-care diagnostic for Mycobacteria
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-11-24)Tuberculosis (TB) is a major infective cause of death globally, with the greatest burden falling to those countries with lower socioeconomic status. The World Health Organisation aims to End TB by 2035, but improved ... -
Whisky, an analytical tale: the study of Scotch whisky and other spirits by advanced spectroscopic techniques
(The University of Edinburgh, 2022-11-17)The analysis of Scotch Whisky and other spirits is of great importance to the quality control, product protection and product development. The spirit industry uses various UKAS accredited analytical methods, such as those ... -
Advances in liquid electrodes for spent fuel reprocessing in the nuclear industry
(The University of Edinburgh, 2016-06-28)For several decades, nuclear power has been of interest as an energy source. Advantages include reliability and zero carbon emissions, however there are disadvantages in waste management and the risk of proliferation. ... -
Transmembrane molecular machines
(The University of Edinburgh, 2015-06-30)Transmembrane molecular machines are ubiquitous in nature. These evolved systems demonstrate superlative elegance and efficiency of operation. Imitation and hijacking of biological components such as proteins and DNA ...