Andrew Weller

Quite possibly the best pub in the world.

We are hiring two PhDs on our EU SMOM project for a Sept 2026 start.

The two projects will involve being trained, and becoming expert in, air sensitive, platinum group metal organometallics, single-crystal SMOM synthesis, reactivity, and deployment in sustainable catalysis.

tinyurl.com/3yvk5jnd

Research Associate in Organometallic Chemistry | Andrew Weller We are hiring a Postdoc! If you have PhD/PDRA experience in air sensitive, platinum group metal organometallics, are interested in using this expertise in single-crystal SMOM synthesis and reactivity,...

We have Postdoc position open in my lab for SMOM. Please see this post on LinkedIn for full details.

👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

www.linkedin.com/posts/andrew...

A straightforward route to hexagonal-boron nitride fibers - Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials Advanced fibers enable the fabrication of structures and composites for applications reliant on lightweight, oxidation resistant, mechanically strong, and electrically insulating materials, e.g. in all forms of land, air, and space transportation and in applications within extreme environments. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) fibers harness these advantages, and in addition, offer ultra-high-strength-to-weight ratio and low density. Yet, existing precursors for polymer-derived BN fibers are limited to insoluble and air/moisture sensitive polyborazylenes, hindering fiber production at scale. In this contribution, we report a reliable, controllable, and scalable synthesis methodology for producing pure micro- and nano-h-BN fibers, offering a competitive alternative to NASA’s energy-intensive h-BN nanotubes production. The single-source precursor, N-methyl polyaminoborane (PMeAB), plays a pivotal role in this process. The catalytic, and scalable, synthesis of PMeAB with controlled molecular weights (Mw = 110,500–290,500 g·mol−1) enables the production of h-BN fibers by electrospinning method and thermolysis under ammonia. PMeAB molecular weight and concentration were identified as key factors dictating the viscosity and surface tension, and thus influencing the overall spinnability of the PMeAB solution. We reveal that the subsequent formation of a cross-linked intermediate during PMeAB thermolysis is essential to retain the fibrous morphology during the conversion to h-BN fibers. Comprehensive characterization demonstrated the purity and homogeneity of the h-BN fibers, with ~ 97 at.% of B and N contents combined throughout the fiber body. This newly disclosed route to h-BN fibers offers a route to potentially valuable multifunctional filler material for advanced lightweight composites suitable for applications in extreme environments.

With @nicolegrobert.bsky.social we report straightforward approach to hex-BN fibres that uses catalytic methods for the controlled synthesis of BN-polymers, that are then used to fabricate hex-BN fibres. Such fibres could outperform carbon fibres in extreme environments. tinyurl.com/h4jwdv6s

York for me. It was good to meet up again, even if briefly.

Just left the excellent CanUK inorganic symposium in beautiful Quebec City. What a privilege to be part of such collegiate scientific discussion. With thanks to @barryblight.bsky.social Fred Fontaine & @rebeccamelen.bsky.social. À la prochaine!

An epic ride in an epic location, and some (hopefully) epic data!

Always nice to add a hard copy of a thesis to the “library”. A beautifully presented one from Dr Chloe Johnson. The third one from the York-years.

A really useful and timely contribution. Well done to Aishanee (and Dave).

We're recruiting a PDRA to work with our team at Oxford Chemistry @ox.ac.uk @oxfordchemistry.bsky.social ! If you are interested in synthetic inorganic chemistry and catalysis research, Apply!

my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecru...

Dalby Forest looking towards the hills behind Scarborough. Earlyish morning with my gravel bike. Not a soul around apart from me. At least 10 different birds are serenading me, damsel files and bumblebees keeping me company, and in the distance the bucolic lowing of cattle.

We're hiring: TWO 3-year PhD positions to develop Bimetallic Chemistry for CO2, N2O and NH3 activation under ERC Consolidator Grant BiMetalGAS
@erc.europa.eu
. Expected start: June-September 2025. Please RT. #PhD #PhDposition #chemjob Cool bimetallics in sunny🌞Sevilla

Another great collaboration with @macgregorgroupsta.bsky.social

[B(O2C2(CF3)4)2]− ([FPB]−): Repurposing This Weakly Coordinating Anion for Solid-State Molecular Organometallic (SMOM) Chemistry The perfluoropinacol borate-based anion [B(O2C2(CF3)4)2]−, [FPB]–, is developed as a weakly coordinating anion for single-crystal to single-crystal organometallic solid/gas reactivity, resulting in the isolation and characterization (including periodic DFT and IGMH analysis) of the σ-alkane complex [Rh(Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2)(exo-η2η2-norbornane)][FPB]. The synthetically useful solvent-free Na+ salt, Na[FPB], and oxonium acid [H(OEt2)2][FPB] are also reported.

A new(ish) anion on the block for SMOM chemistry. Kris Altus’ latest on the organometallic chemistry of [B(O2C2(CF3)4)2]−. As well as showing this anion is a useful one in organometallic chemistry there is a cautionary note about the toxicity of a starting material.

pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Gravel Riding in the Dalby Forest.

Great group, great PI and exciting chemistry.

An evening at the beach with @macgregorgroupsta.bsky.social after a productive day of science.

Breakfast. Robin Hoods Bay.

Grayson Perry's Big American Road Trip - Episode 1 In Atlanta and Washington DC Grayson explores race and 'White privilege'

I recommend this thought-provoking Grayson Perry documentary about his take on the US. Made pre-Covid. Prescient? I'll let you decide for yourself. I was reminded to watch it as we see events unfurl.

www.channel4.com/programmes/g...

Some of our poster-prize winners & talk-givers from #Dalton2025 : Frei, Lynam, Slattery, Douthwaite, Fairlamb, Parker, Willans (& Weller) Labs.

Natalia Baranska
Alex Watson
Jake Walder
Sara Bonfante
Rebecca Willans
Kris Altus
Katie Keating
Chloe van Beek
Stefan Flesch
Anson Chau
Cagri Ozsan

Australian with working visa detained and deported on returning to US from sister’s memorial Man who says he had previously left and re-entered the country multiple times alleges border officials called him ‘retarded’ and boasted ‘Trump is back in town’

More and more stories like this coming out all the time.

I cannot and will not go to the US, nor send any of my group to the US, for any reason. It's simply not safe for any foreign visitor.

No conferences, seminars, collaboration visits, vacations, nothing.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT REPRESSED RAGE. (….talk to my therapist)

CHEM 270-151 - Faculty & staff - University of Victoria Inspired by and honouring place, we are a community-minded, globally engaged university where we transform ideas into meaningful impact.

UVic Chemistry is hiring. We're looking for an Assistant Professor in experimental chemistry, particularly in one of the areas of physical and/or inorganic chemistry. More details in the ad below. Great department & part of the world to live! #facultychemjobs
www.uvic.ca/faculty-staf...

A square planar Ru(II) complex, that dehydropolymerizes amine boranes to selectively give high molecular BN-polymers at low (0.03 mol%) catalyst loadings and high ToF (250 s-1). And a hydroxy-hydride as the species formed in the induction period as a bonus! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Gravel riding North Yorkshire-style.

Wolds to the Moors. North Yorkshire in the early spring. Serenaded by Skylarks.

📣PhD available in our group focusing on Digital & Flow Chemistry for #MOF production. Based in Sch Chemistry & iPRD @UniLeeds. Start date: 1st Oct 2025. ⏰️Deadline 30th May. Please repost to spread the word 🙏 #chemsky #phdjobs eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com?url=https%3A...

Jose Goicoechea memorial pizza party. #Dalton2025

Representing at #Dalton2025. The York crew.

A Fresh Twist on the Phospha-(Aza)-Wittig Reaction The reactivity of an unsupported phosphinidene oxide, BnArNP═O (Bn = benzyl; Ar = bulky aryl group), as the electrophilic partner in Wittig reactions with ylides is described. Reactions with methylene-triphenylphosphorane (H2C═PPh3) and ethylidene-triphenyl-phosphorane (HMeC═PPh3), proceed as expected, giving rise to the phosphaalkene metathesis products and triphenylphosphine oxide. This reaction can be extended to other ylides such as N-(triphenylphosphoranylidene)methanamine (MeN═PPh3), to afford an aminoiminophosphane BnArNP═NMe. In these reactions the phosphinidene oxide plays the role of an electrophile, which would typically be the remit of an organic carbonyl in classical Wittig reactions. Further mechanistic insight into such transformations can be gained by altering the nature of the phosphorus-ylide. Upon reacting BnArNP═O with H2C═PMe3 (which possesses a smaller, more Lewis basic, phosphine) an alternative product is formed. This transformation supports the formation of a betaine intermediate that subsequently undergoes hydrogen-migration to afford an oxidized phosphorus(V) compound related to phosphorus acid.

Fresh out of the oven. Check out Chenyang’s most recent work in JACS (@jacs.acspublications.org). We explore the reactivity of a phosphinidene oxide as the electrophilic partner in Wittig transformations. Hope you enjoy.

pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10....