Key facts
- Type of research degree
- PhD
- Application deadline
- Saturday 22 July 2023
- Project start date
- Monday 2 October 2023
- Country eligibility
- UK only
- Funding
- Funded
- Source of funding
- Other
- Supervisors
- Professor Nik Kapur and Dr Bao Nguyen
- Additional supervisors
- Professor John Blacker
- Schools
- School of Chemistry
Fluorine containing compounds are prominent in modern drug design. Currently, fluorine is present in 25% of small molecule drugs and 30% of agrochemicals. Their preparations normally employ expensive, toxic and hazardous ‘electrophilic’ fluorination reagents, e.g. F2, NFSI, NFPy, PyFluor and SelectFluor. SelectFluor has also been documented with batch-dependent impurities, which lead to damages to reactors. Nucleophilic fluorination with cheap and readily available inorganic fluorides is practically difficult due to the poor solubility of these salts in organic solvents, their low reactivity in water due to strong hydration, and competing basicity of the fluoride anion. This led to the use of phase transfer catalyst and elaborate reagents such as NMe4F and NMe4F.t-Amyl-OH, or the highly corrosive KHF2 as alternative sources of fluorides.<br /> <br /> In this project, the student will build upon recent discoveries in Nguyen group to to further develop water-based nucleophilic fluorination into a general sustainable method in preparing fluorine containing compounds. This will be achieved through the following objectives: (i) expansion of the substrate pool to include more common substrates; (ii) development of work-up and purification protocols in batch; and (iii) holistic process design including work-up and catalyst/fluoride recycling in flow. This project will take advantage of the expertise of the supervisory team in green chemistry, process design and reactor design. <br /> <br /> The project is best suited to a student with strong background organic chemistry and interest in green chemistry, flow chemistry and organic mechanisms. Prior knowledge of flow process design and green chemistry practices is not necessarily required, as training will be provided for these important transferable skills. The student will also benefit from interdisciplinary training and seminar programmes in process chemistry as a member of the Institute of Process Research & Development, Leeds (http://www.iprd.leeds.ac.uk).<br />
<p>Fluorine containing compounds are prominent in modern drug design. Currently, fluorine is present in 25% of small molecule drugs and 30% of agrochemicals. Their preparations normally employ expensive, toxic and hazardous ‘electrophilic’ fluorination reagents, e.g. F2, NFSI, NFPy, PyFluor and SelectFluor. SelectFluor has also been documented with batch-dependent impurities, which lead to damages to reactors. Nucleophilic fluorination with cheap and readily available inorganic fluorides is practically difficult due to the poor solubility of these salts in organic solvents, their low reactivity in water due to strong hydration, and competing basicity of the fluoride anion. This led to the use of phase transfer catalyst and elaborate reagents such as NMe4F and NMe4F.t-Amyl-OH, or the highly corrosive KHF2 as alternative sources of fluorides.</p> <p>In this project, the student will build upon recent discoveries in Nguyen group to to further develop water-based nucleophilic fluorination into a general sustainable method in preparing fluorine containing compounds. This will be achieved through the following objectives: (i) expansion of the substrate pool to include more common substrates; (ii) development of work-up and purification protocols in batch; and (iii) holistic process design including work-up and catalyst/fluoride recycling in flow. This project will take advantage of the expertise of the supervisory team in green chemistry, process design and reactor design.</p> <p>The project is best suited to a student with strong background organic chemistry and interest in green chemistry, flow chemistry and organic mechanisms. Prior knowledge of flow process design and green chemistry practices is not necessarily required, as training will be provided for these important transferable skills. The student will also benefit from interdisciplinary training and seminar programmes in process chemistry as a member of the Institute of Process Research & Development, Leeds (http://www.iprd.leeds.ac.uk).</p> <p> </p>
<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Chemistry</strong></em> and in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Fluorination with Simple Fluoride Salts in Water</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/4205/dr-bao-nguyen">Dr Bao Nguyen</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 22 July 2023:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> <li>Funding information including any alternative sources of funding that you are applying for or if you are able to pay your own fees and maintenance – for Bragg - Funding information – The EPSRC Bragg Centre Doctoral Training Studentship</li> </ul>
Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.
The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.
<p style="margin-bottom:12px">UK – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2022">Leeds Doctoral Scholarships</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> are available to UK applicants. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>
<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Bao Nguyen: e: <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">b.nguyen@leeds.ac.uk</a>, t: +44 (0)113 343 0109.</p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact Doctoral College Admissions: e: <a href="mailto:maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk">maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>