A new UK research alliance is bringing together 26 physical organic chemists to tackle problems spanning electronics, energy-efficient manufacturing, and drug design. This matters because physical organic chemistry—the study of how molecular structure dictates chemical behaviour—has become fragmented across UK universities. The field underpins everything from the stability of a pharmaceutical tablet to the conductivity of a next-generation solar cell, but no single group currently has the breadth to address problems that cross from solid-state to solution, or from a single molecule to a pilot plant. Without this critical mass, the UK risks losing its competitive edge in industries that depend on understanding how molecules actually behave under real-world conditions. If the alliance succeeds, it could accelerate the development of 21st-century electronic materials, cut the energy required for industrial chemical reactions, and improve how drugs interact with their targets, carriers, and each other. The work is fundamental science with clear industrial relevance—the project already has substantial backing from chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
View original technical description
This application aims to catalyse and sustain a new dimension in UK research capability in physical organic chemistry. Our strategic alliance in physical organic chemistry will provide a unique continuum of expertise to tackle research opportunities in areas as diverse as materials chemistry, synthesis methodologies and pharmaceutical discovery and development. It will have the capability to address issues from solid-state to solution and gas-phase, from small molecules to biopolymers, and from nanoscale to pilot plant. We focus on topics of international significance to industry worldwide as well as to academic chemistry, that will help to (i) drive the creation of 21st-century electronic materials, devices and technologies (ii) understand and exploit methodologies for assisting chemical reactions with the potential to revolutionise energy use in chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries (iii) provide new and more effective medicines through understanding molecular recognition in pharmaceutical systems including drug-receptor, drug-drug and drug-carrier complexes. Its importance is underlined by the initial substantial support from diverse sectors of the chemicals and pharmaceuticals industry that we have so far put in place. It will initially lead to 26 new appointments, and we look forward to even more dynamic growth as the program unfolds.
Plain English summaries and category classifications on this site are generated by AI and may not perfectly reflect the original research.
Is something wrong? Let us know