Investigating, understanding and (maybe!) controlling how

molecules interact

The crazy research aims of a Physical Organic Chemist

I am a…

Post doctoral Research Chemist

I am a…

Post doctoral Research Chemist- I am a doctor

- I know nothing about sick people!

- To become a Dr. you do a second degree (but you get paid to do it!)

- Doing a Ph.D teaches you to do research

I am a…

Post doctoral Research Chemist- I am a doctor

- I know nothing about sick people!

- To become a Dr. you do a second degree (but you get paid to do it!)

- Doing a Ph.D teaches you to do research

- I try to understand why and how molecules do things

- I plan experiments to test ideas and collect information (good and bad!)

- I try to apply the information I find

- Talk to other scientists

I am a…

Post doctoral Research Chemist- I am a doctor

- I know nothing about sick people!

- To become a Dr. you do a second degree (but you get paid to do it!)

- Doing a Ph.D teaches you to do research

- I try to understand why and how molecules do things

- I plan experiments to test ideas and collect information (good and bad!)

- I try to apply the information I find

- Talk to other scientists

- I am interested in molecules and how they interact with each other

But so are many physicists and biologists… +++

- research is why you are interested and what you do with it!

I am interested in how solvents affect molecules and reactions…

Normally you need to dissolve reactants to: - make them mix- remove / provide heat- slow other reactions down

I am interested in how solvents affect molecules and reactions…

People think:

But in reality:

Normally you need to dissolve reactants to: - make them mix- remove / provide heat- slow other reactions down

= solvent

I am interested in how solvents affect molecules and reactions…

Can affect everything! Colour, product, stability…

e.g. a single dye molecule in a range of solvents

Most solvents evaporate easilyX

extremely flammable

easy to breathe in

difficult to contain and toxic

X

X

X

IONIC LIQUIDS are liquid salts and can be used as solvents!

Normal solventMolecule

Ionic liquidIons

Do not evaporate - GREEN SOLVENTSDissolve lots of things

Many different ionic liquids

I have been investigating how ionic liquids affect things dissolved in them to see if they can replace

normal solvents

Ionic liquids are just beginning to be used by industry…!

Use ionic liquidsto make a processmore efficient

£££££!

Green Chemistry

can make you money!

Controlling solubility and solvent effects for Harry Potter!

Solvent with iodine

Water with Cromium

Ionic liquid with iodine

Controlling solubility and solvent effects for Harry Potter!

Solvent with iodine

Water with Cromium

Ionic liquid with iodine