Areas where the Organic Chemistry Group at Southampton has a strong international reputation include:
Flow chemistry. Southampton staff are at the forefront of world-leading developments in flow chemistry, where chemical reactions are conducted in a continuous fashion rather than as batch process. Our primary expertise is in the development of new reagentless methodologies using electrochemistry, thermolysis and photochemistry, and in the study of reaction mechanisms.
Medicinal chemistry. In Southampton this covers a wide range of multidisciplinary research at the interfaces of Chemistry, Biology and Medicine. Much of our research is directed at the optimisation of properties through introducing changes in the molecular structure of ‘lead’ compounds. Indeed, the study of how molecular properties change upon introduction of a particular modification, e.g. fluorination, is often a goal in itself. Studies relating to the optimisation of bioactivities, metabolic stability and lipophilicity are typically conducted in collaboration with biological and medical scientists, both in academia and industry, interested in exploiting bioactive compounds.
Total synthesis. Research is focused on developing strategies for the efficient construction of target compounds. These encompass the molecules of nature, and extend to exquisite non-natural structures such as fullerenes enclosing another atom or molecule, e.g. C60@NH3. In many cases, judicious selection of reactions from the ‘toolbox’ of known organic transformations is key. At other times, new transformations need to be developed to address an unusual structural feature, such as an encapsulated molecule, a boat-configured arene or a polyaromatic with a helical twist.
Methodology & Catalysis. Here our focus is on developing tools and catalysts to enable synthetic transformations to be performed in an efficient manner. This includes the discovery, development and exemplification of new transformations; the optimisation and scoping of existing methods (e.g. by developing new reagents, catalysts and devices), and the creation of novel molecular architectures such as smart inks and scaffolds for drug development. Results from this type of research feed into, or are directly connected with, our interests in flow, total synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
The section comprises 6 group leaders, who are listed below with their specific research interests. More detailed information can be found on their respective webpages.
Richard Brown. Electrochemistry, flow chemistry, total synthesis, synthetic methodology
Bruno Linclau. Organofluorine and carbohydrate chemistry, medicinal chemistry, synthetic methodology
David Harrowven. Total synthesis, flow chemistry, photo- and thermochemistry, smart inks, reaction mechanisms
Richard Whitby. Endofullerenes, electronic materials, medicinal chemistry, flow chemistry, reaction mechanisms
Lynda Brown. Medical imaging, isotopic labelling, smart inks, medicinal chemistry
Ramon Rios. Organocatalysis, synergistic catalysis, photocatalysis, supported catalysis.