Philip Bailey

The development of novel ligand systems providing complexes with C₃-molecular symmetry for applications in asymmetric catalysis.

We have developed a very flexible synthesis of charge-neutral zwittrionic tripodal borate-centered ligands from B(NMe₂)₃ which gives access to a library of ligands which provide C₃-symmetric  octahedral and tetrahedral metal complexes.  Such systems may be regarded as complementary to the C₂-symmetric chelating ligands which are so successful in asymmetric catalysis in combination with square-planar metals.  Since there are so many more metals which adopt octahedral geometry these new ligands have the potential to be more broadly applicable than their C₂-symmetric counterparts.  We are currently focussed on the incorporation of chiral groups into the ligands so as to form single diastereomer complexes.

Director of Teaching in Chemistry. I am responsible for all aspects of taught programmes.

Industrial Placements Coordinator. I have responsibility for coordination of the recruitment process for undergraduate 12 month Industrial Placements, with particular emphasis on overseas locations.

Personal Tutor

I collaborate estensively with Prof. Peter Tasker in the field of ligand development for hydrometallurgical processes, acting as supervisor for several PhD students.

Following an initial four year period as a trainee analytical chemist with English China Clays (now Imerys) in Cornwall I rejoined full time education and graduated with a BSc(Hons) Chemistry degree (1st Class) from Loughborough University of Technology in 1987.  This was followed by a PhD at the University of Cambridge in transition metal cluster chemistry under the supervision of Jack Lewis and Brian Johnson.  This was followed by a postdoctoral period as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Technical University Munich in  the group of Wolfgang Hermann and a year as a Junior Fellow (Temporary Lecturer) in Chemistry at The University of Bristol. I took up my current post at the School of Chemistry in 1993 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2002.