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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Recent Submissions
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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 ... -
New tools for visualising nanoparticle drug delivery
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Encapsulating drugs in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) is becoming increasingly popular for targeted and sustained drug delivery. NP drug delivery systems can increase the lifetime of therapeutics in vivo, they can improve ... -
Synthesis of s-Tetrazines for biomedical applications
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Tetrazines are aromatic six-membered heterocycles, containing four nitrogen atoms that can react as dienes in inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) reactions leading to the formation of pyridazines. Owing to their ... -
Synthesis of optical probes for the visualization of human neutrophil elastase
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Optical medical imaging is a new technology that uses light to improve clinical processes such as disease diagnosis and tumour margin delineation. It has the potential to produce high-resolution images in real-time, with ... -
Probing SMM behaviour in Heterometallic 3/4d-4f Complexes
(The University of Edinburgh, 209-11-28)In recent years the field of molecular magnetism has focused its attention on creating novel magnetic molecules that can retain their magnetisation in the absence of a magnetic field, below a blocking temperature. These ... -
Iron and titanium amino-phenolate complexes in controlled alkene polymerisation
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Transition metals have long been used as both catalysts and mediators in the polymerisation of many monomers. This thesis explores the use of iron and titanium amino-phenolate complexes as mediators in the polymerisation ... -
Novel microporous polymers for gas separation membranes
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) owe their microporosity to their rigid and contorted structure which prevents efficient space packing. Their microporosity and processability make them attractive for many ... -
Behaviour of intermolecular interactions at extreme pressures
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)In organic solids, pressures of only a few gigapascals modify and rearrange intermolecular contacts such as H-bonds and van der Waals contacts leading to extensive phase diversity. Applications in this rich area of ... -
Disilenes, silylenes and silyl anions fundamentals and catalysis
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)Disilenes, silylenes and silyl anions are examples of compounds with silicon in oxidation state +II. They are fundamentally interesting due to their analogy with common, reactive organic compounds and intermediates, such ... -
Bimetallic uranium and cerium tetraphenolate complexes for the activation and functionalisation of small molecules
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)thesis describes the synthesis of bimetallic f-element complexes of meta-functionalised tetraphenol arene ligands, (mTP), and their reactivity, primarily towards small molecular substrates such as dinitrogen. Chapter ... -
Theoretical modelling of ultrafast photodynamics
(The University of Edinburgh, 2019-11-28)This thesis presents detailed electronic structure calculations and mixed quantum-classical dynamics simulations of the photodynamics of two small polyatomic molecules using "on-the-fly" surface-hopping. Most of the ...
