Synthetic and Analytical Chemistry Laboratories
A Synthetic and Analytical Chemistry laboratory suitable for organic synthesis under ambient and inert atmospheres, chromatography and electrochemical analysis.
What can you do here?
Our synthetic and analytical chemistry laboratories support a comprehensive range of advanced chemical research, from air-free synthesis and catalysis to precise electrochemical and surface analysis. Whether you are conducting complex organic transformations, exploring novel materials, or investigating surface-level molecular interactions, our facilities provide the specialised equipment needed for your workflows. Equipped with inert-atmosphere gloveboxes, custom Schlenk lines, and precision-controlled LED photoreactors for visible-light-driven photocatalysis and green chemistry, alongside state-of-the-art electrochemical instrumentation, our labs empower researchers to drive innovation in sustainable synthesis, energy storage, and chemical engineering.
Our equipment
Custom-Built dual manifold Schlenk Line
Essential for synthetic chemistry requiring the rigorous exclusion of air or moisture, our custom-built Schlenk line provides a dual-manifold system for simultaneous vacuum and inert gas control. Equipped with specialised cold traps and precise stopcocks, it allows researchers to safely manipulate highly sensitive compounds. It is ideal for complex polymer synthesis, quantum dot preparation, and running simultaneous air-free reaction cycles.
MBraun Unilab Pro with Nitrogen Atmosphere
For handling the most highly air- and moisture-sensitive materials, the MBraun Unilab Pro provides a fully controlled, high-purity argon or nitrogen atmosphere. Featuring integrated gas purification systems, strict atmospheric monitoring, and antechambers for safe sample transfer, it is a critical tool for researchers working with highly reactive inorganic/organometallic reagents, performing synthesis under inert conditions and undertaking precise electrochemical analytical measurements.
PerkinElmer Flexar HPLC System with Multi-Detector Array
Our analytical suite features a comprehensive PerkinElmer Flexar High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system, configured for rigorous chemical separation and analysis. The core setup ensures high reproducibility and automation, comprising a Flexar Solvent Manager, LC Pump, LC Autosampler, and a precisely controlled Column Oven. To accommodate a vast range of analytical workflows, the system is equipped with a versatile multi-detector array. This includes a Flexar PDA Plus (Photodiode Array) Detector for profiling UV-visible absorbing compounds, a PerkinElmer Altus A-10 Fluorescence (FL) Detector for highly sensitive detection of fluorescent tags and naturally fluorescing molecules, and a Shodex RI-501 Refractive Index Detector for analysing non-UV active substances such as polymers, carbohydrates, and lipids. This robust configuration allows researchers to confidently detect, identify, and quantify complex mixtures across varied synthetic and analytical applications.
PerkinElmer Clarus 590 Gas Chromatography System
For the precise separation and analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, our analytical laboratory features a PerkinElmer Gas Chromatograph Clarus 590. To ensure a consistent, safe, and high-purity gas supply without the need for cumbersome high-pressure cylinders, the system is supported by a comprehensive suite of on-site gas generation equipment. The setup includes a benchtop PerkinElmer Hydrogen Generator FID 350 Dry paired with a dedicated under-desk air compressor unit. Additionally, a wall-mounted PerkinElmer Whisper N2-Gen 40 nitrogen generator, equipped with integrated Donaldson Ultrafilter units, is installed to supply high-purity carrier gas. The entire chromatography system is fully integrated with a dedicated PC workstation for streamlined instrument control, automated run sequencing, and robust data analysis.
PalmSens4 Wireless Potentiostat
A versatile and highly portable electrochemical interface, the PalmSens4 supports a broad range of analytical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Its battery-powered, wireless design allows researchers to conduct precise electrochemical measurements directly within a glovebox or in the field. It is particularly well-suited for biosensor development, battery testing, and corrosion studies without the constraints of tethered equipment
OpenQCM Q-1 Quartz Crystal Microbalance
For researchers investigating surface interactions and viscoelastic properties at the molecular scale, the OpenQCM Q-1 offers simultaneous monitoring of resonance frequency and dissipation. This quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) is highly effective for rapid, label-free real-time detection. It is widely used by researchers to track protein binding, assess bacterial adhesion, and monitor nanoscale mass variations across various biomedical, environmental, and materials science applications.
PerkinElmer Spectrum Two FT-IR Spectrometer
For the rapid and reliable identification of chemical substances and molecular functional groups, our facility is equipped with a PerkinElmer Spectrum Two FT-IR Spectrometer. It is configured with a UATR Two (Universal Attenuated Total Reflectance) accessory, which allows researchers to perform direct analysis of various solid, liquid, and film samples with minimal to no prior sample preparation. This highly robust instrument is an indispensable tool for structural elucidation, verifying compound purity, and monitoring reaction progress within our synthetic workflows.
Jenway 7315 Spectrophotometer
To support quantitative analysis and the characterisation of light-absorbing compounds, researchers have access to a Jenway 7315 Spectrophotometer. This reliable benchtop instrument provides accurate absorbance and transmittance measurements across both the ultraviolet and visible light spectrums. Featuring integrated modes for photometrics, concentration determination, quantitation, and spectral scanning, it is routinely utilised for analysing reaction kinetics, characterising transition metal complexes, and determining the concentration of specific analytes in solution.
