Dr Lindsay and Professor Kerr have significant experience in the areas of organometallic chemistry and catalysis as applied to organic synthesis, having been at the forefront of research establishing unique main group- and transition metal-mediated methods for the direct construction of complex molecular frameworks, and have a proven track record in developing catalytic methodologies that are of particular use within the pharmaceutical industry. More specifically, relating to this proposed programme of collaborative research, Lindsay and Kerr have focused in recent years on the development of new iridium-catalysed methods for C-H activation, with extensive applications in the area of hydrogen isotope exchange; access to isotopically-labelled molecules is of critical importance to the assessment of emerging potential new drug entities. It is now proposed that broader studies are required in order to further refine these methods to enhance their practical utility in the isotopic labelling of complex molecules.

The PhD student engaged on this project will receive elevated levels of training in the areas of preparative chemistry, organometallic complex synthesis, reaction mechanism study, DFT calculations, and associated analytical/spectroscopic requirements.