Caesium Phosphate as the Super-base for Difficult Catalytic Coupling Reactions

Organic reactions often involve the use of an inorganic base. Amongst these, caesium salts are often found to give superior performance in yield, selectivity and product purity compared sodium and potassium salts. This superior performance is attributed to solubility, and direct involvement in catalytic mechanisms. Carbonates and phosphates are two of the most commonly employed salts, but only Cs2CO3 is commercially available on scale. Cs3PO4 is more efficient in scavenging protons, more soluble in organic solvents, and is a milder base than Cs2CO3, giving better functional group tolerance for complex starting materials. <br /> <br /> Previous work in Nguyen group showed that Cs3PO4.H2O can be easily prepared and significantly accelerated Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions of base sensitive and unstable boronic acids. This led to lower temperature, faster reactions and lower excess of the expensive boronic acids. We aim to develop a drying process for production of anhydrous Cs3PO4, and demonstrate the effectiveness of this base in reactions of interest in pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturing. <br /> <br /> These will lead to case studies demonstrating the superior performance of Cs3PO4 as the base of choice in organic syntheses, leading to better pharma/agrochemical products, wider adoption of Cs3PO4 in academia and industry, and commercialisation through the industrial partner.

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>Application type</strong> please select <strong>Research Degrees, Research Postgraduate</strong>. <br /> •    The admission year for this project is <strong>2026/27 Academic Year</strong>. <br /> •    You will need to select your <strong>Planned Course of Study</strong> from a drop down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>PhD Chemistry Full Time</strong>. <br /> •    The project start date for this project is <strong>1 October 2026</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Caesium Phosphate as the Super-base for Difficult Catalytic Coupling Reactions </strong>as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/4205/prof-bao-nguyen">Professor Bao Nguyen</a> as your proposed supervisor.</p> <p><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance Section, the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored.</strong></p> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here</a>. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project. </p> <p>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><strong>If you are applying for the UK Only Leeds Doctoral Scholarship or the UK Only Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship, you must provide your documents in support of your application by the Scholarship closing date of 1 April 2026.</strong></p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 31 July 2026 if you are self funding or externally sponsored:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <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>

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><strong>Self-Funded or externally sponsored students are welcome to apply.</strong></p> <p><strong>Scholarship opportunities open from October 2025</strong></p> <p>The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2024">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: 1 April 2026)</strong> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: 1 April 2026)</strong> 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 note that if you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p><strong>If you are applying for the Leeds Doctoral Scholarship or the Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship, you will need to complete a separate application, specific to these scholarships, to be considered for funding.</strong></p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£340 in Session 2025/26), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</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 Professor Bao Nguyen by emailing <a href="mailto:EMAIL@leeds.ac.uk">b.nguyen@leeds.ac.uk</a> or by calling +44 (0)113 343 0109</p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>