Chloe Baker

Contact

c.baker18@imperial.ac.uk

Research

"Developing novel switchable catalysts as initiators for the polymerisation of cyclic esters"

The synthesis of biopolymers is increasingly important, and having control of the stereochemistry during the polymerisation process is fundamental to benefit the most from the properties and applications of these materials. This stereocontrol is influenced by the catalyst involved, and it is my aim to develop catalysts which can be switched in situ to gain this control and achieve polymers with interesting micro structures of varying crystallinity.

The catalysts of interest will be metal alkoxide complexes with a Schiff-base ligand scaffold, which incorporate a switch by means of redox, photochemical or allosteric control.

Personal

After graduating from the University of Sheffield in July 2017 with a MChem, I spent a year in Reading working for Mondelez International (chocolate science!). I'm a keen linguist, having studied at Ruprecht-Karls-Uni-Heidelberg in Germany during the third year of my degree. I equally enjoy running with my athletics club, Thames Valley Harriers, going to gigs and a spot of baking every now and then!