Dr David Nelson
Senior Lecturer
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Area of Expertise
Areas
- Catalysis
- Cross-coupling
- C-H activation
- N-Heterocyclic carbenes
- Organometallic chemistry
- Physical organic chemistry
Techniques
- Organometallic and organic synthesis
- Handling of air- and moisture-sensitive compounds
- NMR and UV/visible spectroscopies
- Reaction kinetics
- Reaction simulation using numerical integration software
- Density functional theory (DFT)
Prize And Awards
- Outstanding Reviewer for Catalysis Science and Technology (2022)
- Recipient
- 8/3/2023
- Outstanding Reviewer for Organic Chemistry Frontiers (2021)
- Recipient
- 7/8/2022
- 'Digital Innovator' (Strath Union Teaching Excellence Awards 2022)
- Recipient
- 19/5/2022
- Royal Society of Chemistry Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms Group - Early Career Award 2021
- Recipient
- 2021
- 2020 Thieme Chemistry Journals Award
- Recipient
- 2020
- Outstanding Reviewer for Chemical Communications (2018)
- Recipient
- 21/2/2019
Qualifications
Qualifications and Experience
- Reader, University of Strathclyde, 2023 - Present
- Senior Lecturer, University of Strathclyde, 2018 - 2023
- Chancellor's Fellow and Lecturer, University of Strathclyde, 2014 - 2018
- Research Fellow (with Prof. S. P. Nolan FRSE), University of St Andrews, 2012 - 2014
- PhD in Pure and Applied Chemistry (with Prof. J. M. Percy), University of Strathclyde, 2008 - 2012
- MChem in Chemistry with Industrial Experience, University of Edinburgh, 2003 - 2008
Memberships
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
- Member of the Americal Chemical Society
- Member of the Society of Chemical Industry
- Member of the Society of Chemical Industry Young Chemists' Panel
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Publications
- Modular synthesis of azines bearing a guanidine core from N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-derived selenoureas and diazo reagents
- Tonis Efstathios, Tzouras Nikolaos V, Pozsoni Nestor Bracho, Saab Marina, Bhandary Subhrajyoti, Van Hecke Kristof, Nelson David J, Nahra Fady, Nolan Steven P, Vougioukalakis Georgios C
- Chemistry- A European Journal Vol 30 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202401816
- A hierarchy of ligands controls formation and reaction of aryl radicals in Pd-catalyzed ground state base-promoted coupling reactions
- Clark Kenneth F, Tyerman Seb, Evans Laura, Robertson Craig M, Nelson David J, Kennedy Alan R, Murphy John A
- Journal of the American Chemical Society Vol 145, pp. 20849-20858 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.3c05470
- Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as a multifunctional agent in gold-catalyzed cycloisomerizations and sequential transformations
- Tzouras Nikolaos V, Zorba Leandros P, Kaplanai Entzy, Tsoureas Nikolaos, Nelson David J, Nolan Steven P, Vougioukalakis Georgios C
- ACS Catalysis Vol 13, pp. 8845–8860 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c01660
- Nickel complexes of allyl and vinyldiphenylphosphine
- Clapson Marissa L, Nelson David J, Drover Marcus W
- ACS Organic & Inorganic Au Vol 3, pp. 217–222 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsorginorgau.3c00010
- Terahertz vibrational modes of sodium magnesium chlorophyllin and chlorophyll in plant leaves
- Coquillat Dominique, O'Connor Emma, Brouillet Etienne V, Meriguet Yoann, Bray Cédric, Nelson David J, Faulds Karen, Torres Jeremie, Dyakonova Nina
- Journal of Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves Vol 44, pp. 245–264 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-023-00905-6
- Analysis of sodium copper chlorophyllin and sodium magnesium chlorophyllin by time-domain THz spectroscopy
- Bray Cedric, Dyakonova Nina, O'Connor Emma, Brouillet Etienne V, Meriguet Yoann, Nelson David J, Faulds Karen, Torres Jeremie, Coquillat Dominique
- 2022 47th International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz) (2022)
- https://doi.org/10.1109/irmmw-thz50927.2022.9895466
Teaching
Current Teaching
CH212 Physical Chemistry 1 - Kinetics [2020/21 - 2022/23 and 2024/25 - Present] This lecture course addresses the fundamentals of the kinetics of chemical reactions and covers the core and underpinning topics that allow students to develop a full understanding of what influences the rates of chemical reactions and how (and why) we study this.
CH450/8 Distance Learning Course - Reaction Mechanisms. [2014/15 - 2022/23 and 2024/25 - Present] This distance learning course is completed by MChem students on placement. The aims of the course are to: develop knowledge and understanding of reaction mechanisms, particularly in organic chemistry; develop skills in analysing reaction mechanisms; extend powers of analysis and deduction, and relate these to the choice of appropriate experiments in the study of reaction mechanisms; and show how knowledge of reaction mechanisms is related to synthetic chemistry and the understanding of processes both in the laboratory or production plant and in living systems.
CH508/9 Advanced and Modern Methods in Organic Synthesis. [2017/18 - Present] This course covers a range of state-of-the-art techniques in organic synthesis, including: palladium, copper, iridium, ruthenium, and gold-catalysis, organocatalysis, and asymmetric synthesis. Several lectures are devoted to the study of physical organic chemistry in the understanding of these reactions.
Previous Teaching Activities
CH107 Chemistry: Principles and Practice 2 - Organic Chemistry. [2016/17, 2017/18] This first year undergraduate course provides students with the understanding of key reactions, concepts, and principles that are relevant to the study and use of organic chemistry. These include: nucleophiles, electrophiles, and radicals; alkenes and their reactions; epoxides and their reactions; carbonyl compounds and their oxidation, reduction, and reactions.
CH208 Fundamental Organic Chemistry - Aromatic Chemistry. [2016/17] This second year course provides students with the understanding of aromatic molecules and their reactivity, including: identifying aromatic molecules; electrophilic and nucleophilic aromatic substitution; and the generation and reactions of benzyne.
CH538: Molecular Catalysis. [2019/20] This course covers various topics in homogeneous catalysis, including the use of organometallic complexes, enzymes, and main group complexes. Students learn about applications, underlying mechanisms, techniques for interrogating reactions, and techniques for catalyst separation and recycling.
CH721: Well defined complexes of gold: synthesis, properties and homogeneous catalysis. [2014/15, 2016/17, 2018/19] This course for MPhil and PhD students covers a range of organic and organometallic chemistry, with a special focus on catalysis, including: the history of gold catalysis; the properties of gold including favoured oxidation states, ligands and geometries; fundamental reactivity of organogold complexes; the synthesis of modern gold complexes as homogeneous catalysts (Au(I) and Au(III)); synthesis of related gold complexes, such as hydroxides, peroxides, di-, tri- and poly-gold complexes; and C-H activation/functionalisation and cross-coupling with gold.
Prizes
Winner of the 'Digital Innovator' category at the Strath Union Teaching Excellence Awards 2022.
Research Interests
Many important reactions in industry today are catalysed by transition metal complexes. Our research focusses on the design, discovery, understanding and optimisation of selective and economical processes, with a specific focus on developing reactions to the point that they can be deployed on scale in industry.
Key Phrases: Catalysis; Organometallic Chemistry; Physical Organic Chemistry; Organic Synthesis
Funding: We are grateful to have received funding and support from the following organisations: Johnson-Matthey/Alfa Aesar; Fluorochem; The Carnegie Trust; The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Syngenta; AstraZeneca; GlaxoSmithKline; The Leverhulme Trust; The Royal Society; Eli Lilly.
Detailed Summary: A detailed summary can be found on our group website (http://djnelson.group).
Training: Students within the research group gain training and experience in the synthesis, isolation, characterisation, and study of interesting organic and organometallic compounds. We use a variety of tools and techniques to achieve our aims, including: Schlenk techniques; inert atmosphere gloveboxes; NMR, UV/visible, and IR spectroscopy; GC and GC/mass spectrometry; cyclic voltammetry.
Professional Activities
- PhD Thesis, University of Ghent (Public Defence)
- Examiner
- 9/2023
- Royal Society of Chemistry Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms Discussion Group (External organisation)
- Member
- 11/8/2023
- PhD Thesis, University of Ghent (Private Defence)
- Examiner
- 6/2023
- Understanding Reactions of Nickel(0) Relevant to Cross-Coupling Catalysis
- Speaker
- 18/4/2023
- PhD Thesis, University of Cardiff
- Examiner
- 3/2023
- Nickel Catalysis: Assumptions, Disagreements, and Mistakes
- Speaker
- 8/2/2023
Projects
- Industrial Case Account - University of Strathclyde 2023 | Oultram, Samuel
- Nelson, David (Principal Investigator) O'Hara, Charles (Co-investigator) Oultram, Samuel (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jun-2024 - 01-Jun-2028
- Unleashing Nickel (Pre-)Catalyst Activation, Speciation, and Inhibition
- Nelson, David (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jun-2024 - 31-May-2028
- Navigating Mechanistic Labyrinths in Nickel Catalysis
- Nelson, David (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jun-2024 - 31-Oct-2027
- Unleashing Nickel (Pre-)Catalyst Activation, Speciation, and Inhibition | Oultram, Samuel
- Nelson, David (Principal Investigator) O'Hara, Charles (Co-investigator) Oultram, Samuel (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Jun-2024 - 01-Jun-2028
- Nickel Catalysis in Flow (Eli Lilly 2023)
- Nelson, David (Principal Investigator) Brown, Cameron (Co-investigator)
- 12-Mar-2024 - 11-Mar-2026
- DTP 2224 University of Strathclyde | Donnachie, Kristin
- Reid, Marc (Principal Investigator) Nelson, David (Co-investigator) Donnachie, Kristin (Research Co-investigator)
- 01-Oct-2023 - 01-Apr-2027
Contact
Dr
David
Nelson
Senior Lecturer
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Email: david.nelson@strath.ac.uk
Tel: 548 4383