Jonathan Guild

Biography:

During Jonathan’s time at university he has gained a range of analytical skills ranging from laboratory-based techniques such as NMR to the use of computational programmes such as Gaussian to investigate the energy profile of possible chemical interactions.

His master’s project included building upon a previously reported one pot synthesis of a cyclopentadieone imine and altering the conditions and reagents to minimise the production of side products and varying the intended products structure. The aim of this was to coordinate these to an iron carbonyl for use as a selective hydrogenation catalyst.

Jonathan applied to the CP3 CDT aiming to further develop his understanding of particulate systems and the opportunity to work on industry linked research projects. The CP3 CDT offered a chance to gain understanding of how this relationship between research and industry functions in practice.

PhD: Advanced online monitoring of particle synthesis using in-situ small-angle x-ray scattering and benchtop NMR spectroscopy

There has been widespread development of online monitoring techniques for use in polymer and particle synthesis. However there has been no significant development of in site-Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This technique provides information on particle size, morphology and can be used along with in situ NMR to monitor the extent of flow polymerizations. This could then be coupled with automated continuous monitoring programming which will allow particular morphologies to be selected using continuous flow reactors. Previously SAXS in situ has only been practically possible using a synchrotron source due to minimal scattering intensities of X-rays by nano objects, but new generation SAXS machines are overcoming this issue and will allow for it use in conjunction with other monitoring techniques. Because of this development of in- situ SAXS in polymerization reactors is one of the initial primary aims for this project.

Research Project(s) during degree:

• Research project - The synthesis of cyclopentadienone imines for use in alternative complexes to Shvos catalyst
  This research was done due to the possibility of altering the reactivity of the complex to target the hydrogenation of specific function groups. This built upon previous work by the Morris group in Sheffield which had found a one pot synthesis of the cyclopentadienone imine which could be coordinated to a cheap iron carbonyl. The drive to synthesise iron complexes was driven due to its abundance and therefore low cost as well as previous iron based alternatives to Shvo’s Catalyst have been produced. This research involved the synthesis of a range of different ligands with investigation into the altering of the reagents to synthesise the cyclopentadienone imines and variants, the compounds were characterised using a variety of techniques such as NMR, IR, Mass spec and UV vis.

Masters research project in year 1 of CDT:

• ‘Correlating parameters from molecular modelling to the temperature dependent solubility profile of ibuprofen in organic solvents’ with Dr Ian Rosbottom, Dr Richard Marchese Robinson and Professor Kevin Roberts, Chemical & Process Engineering