New reaction strategies using gold catalysis

I have developed research skills through several projects during my degree. In my penultimate year I undertook two separate projects, one involved the templated synthesis of fluorinated macrocycles, and the other looked at sustainable Suzuki coupling methods. My MSci project centers on methods to prepare enantioenriched sulfinamides using transition metal catalysis.

This has enabled me to develop my technical abilities with analytical equipment such as HPLC, MS, general NMR spectroscopy and operation of an auto-column, as well as utilizing air-sensitive techniques.

I have greatly appreciated these opportunities to conduct novel research. In particular the project concerning Suzuki coupling that proceeds in water, as it may have a potential large impact on various chemical industrial processes. This links directly with the opportunity in the Davies group, and I feel this project could not only progress sustainable process development but also generate more efficient routes to complex structures.