Mark Elliott
@markelliottcardiff.bsky.social
Organic chemistry academic. Educator. Karateka. All views my own.
Here’s a really nice paper from Luis Salvatella on alkyl group electronic effects
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Here’s a really nice paper from Luis Salvatella on alkyl group electronic effects
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Our thoughts on the teaching of hybridization and how it impacts hyperconjugation have just been published in J. Chem. Ed.
If you know organic chemists within the education sector, please share.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
If you know organic chemists within the education sector, please share.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
The Interface of Hybridization, Hyperconjugation, and Conformation in Organic Chemistry Teaching
Hybridization is a bonding model, universally used in organic chemistry, which allows consideration of two-electron localized bonds in organic molecules. Without hybridization, it is almost impossible...
pubs.acs.org
July 28, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Our thoughts on the teaching of hybridization and how it impacts hyperconjugation have just been published in J. Chem. Ed.
If you know organic chemists within the education sector, please share.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
If you know organic chemists within the education sector, please share.
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Delighted to announce the publication of our work in @nature.com, in collaboration with @nfchilton.bsky.social's group, on a dysprosium compound with magnetic memory at 100 Kelvin. Congrats to all authors inc. @gemmagransbury.bsky.social, @jeffjefftyjeff.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Soft magnetic hysteresis in a dysprosium amide–alkene complex up to 100 kelvin - Nature
A dysprosium amide–alkene complex shows soft magnetic hysteresis loops up to 100 kelvin, arising from the high charge density of the amide ligands and the structural role of the pendant alkene.
www.nature.com
June 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Delighted to announce the publication of our work in @nature.com, in collaboration with @nfchilton.bsky.social's group, on a dysprosium compound with magnetic memory at 100 Kelvin. Congrats to all authors inc. @gemmagransbury.bsky.social, @jeffjefftyjeff.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
I’m really honoured to be the 2025 winner of the RSC Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Prize. Thanks to my current research group, past students and postdocs, and collaborators and mentors who have made this possible @rsc.org #RSCprizes
June 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
I’m really honoured to be the 2025 winner of the RSC Sir Geoffrey Wilkinson Prize. Thanks to my current research group, past students and postdocs, and collaborators and mentors who have made this possible @rsc.org #RSCprizes
Different alkyl groups don't have different inductive effects in neutral molecules, which means that they only differ in their ability to stabilize positive and negative charges.
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Is there a trend in inductive effect for different alkyl groups?
We find there to be no significant difference between the inductive effects of four representative alkyl groups as determined by Hirshfeld charge analysis. The use of alkyl group electronegativity val...
pubs.rsc.org
June 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Different alkyl groups don't have different inductive effects in neutral molecules, which means that they only differ in their ability to stabilize positive and negative charges.
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...
Here’s a whimsical blog to kick off my new blog site. I wrote it a couple of years ago, and it’s time to share
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/ocpr/organic...
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/ocpr/organic...
Organic Chemistry, Nanny McPhee and Stockholm Syndrome
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk
February 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Here’s a whimsical blog to kick off my new blog site. I wrote it a couple of years ago, and it’s time to share
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/ocpr/organic...
blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/ocpr/organic...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Ten simple rules for developing good reading habits during graduate school and beyond
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
January 26, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Ten simple rules for developing good reading habits during graduate school and beyond
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Excellent perspective by @lisamjarvis.bsky.social @bloomberg.com on the deep freeze at NIH
Trump's NIH Freeze Puts Scientific Research at Risk
America’s best scientific minds are scrambling to determine the impact of the disruption.
www.bloomberg.com
January 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Excellent perspective by @lisamjarvis.bsky.social @bloomberg.com on the deep freeze at NIH
Reposted by Mark Elliott
As universities begin preparing for the next cycle of REF it's worth digging this out @chemistryworld.com
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/teac...
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/teac...
Teaching-focused staff contribute to REF results too
But are often overlooked in celebrations of research excellence
www.chemistryworld.com
January 21, 2025 at 8:13 AM
As universities begin preparing for the next cycle of REF it's worth digging this out @chemistryworld.com
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/teac...
www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/teac...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
The countdown is on to the release of my book “Onscreen Chemistry” - which tells the story of chemistry/chemists in moving pictures from the very beginning up to the present day, charting all the highs & lows. You can pre-order it here for 12th Feb #Chemistry #SciComm books.rsc.org/books/monogr...
Onscreen Chemistry: The Portrayal of Chemical Science in Film and TV
Lights. Camera. Reaction! How do real world discoveries affect what we see on screen? What impact does the world of film have on how we view chemistry? Are
books.rsc.org
January 7, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The countdown is on to the release of my book “Onscreen Chemistry” - which tells the story of chemistry/chemists in moving pictures from the very beginning up to the present day, charting all the highs & lows. You can pre-order it here for 12th Feb #Chemistry #SciComm books.rsc.org/books/monogr...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
I was already addicted to advocaat but once I started adding lemonade and lime juice it snowballed.
December 22, 2024 at 10:39 PM
I was already addicted to advocaat but once I started adding lemonade and lime juice it snowballed.
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Just to let you know, @craigdcampbell.bsky.social and I got asked many times about this paper at our organic chem admissions interviews. You are now main stream 😍
December 21, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Just to let you know, @craigdcampbell.bsky.social and I got asked many times about this paper at our organic chem admissions interviews. You are now main stream 😍
Reposted by Mark Elliott
My little side project for 2025. To highlight 1,000 portraits of #womeninSTEM #womeninscience from all eras, all nationalities and all disciplines.
➡️ @1000womeninstem.bsky.social
More info here : aninfinityofhypotheses.wordpress.com/2024/12/09/1...
➡️ @1000womeninstem.bsky.social
More info here : aninfinityofhypotheses.wordpress.com/2024/12/09/1...
1000 Women in STEM
Women in science are no longer invisible. There are many resources available, and all you have to do is spend a little time looking to find fascinating information on hundreds of women scientists f…
aninfinityofhypotheses.wordpress.com
December 9, 2024 at 9:08 AM
My little side project for 2025. To highlight 1,000 portraits of #womeninSTEM #womeninscience from all eras, all nationalities and all disciplines.
➡️ @1000womeninstem.bsky.social
More info here : aninfinityofhypotheses.wordpress.com/2024/12/09/1...
➡️ @1000womeninstem.bsky.social
More info here : aninfinityofhypotheses.wordpress.com/2024/12/09/1...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
#chemsky I’m loving the attention our latest paper has been getting, so I’ve decided to keep ‘Building Skills in Organic Chemistry’ discounted on Kindle for another couple of weeks.
amzn.eu/d/6WB8lfx
amzn.eu/d/6WB8lfx
Amazon.co.uk
amzn.eu
December 6, 2024 at 4:25 PM
#chemsky I’m loving the attention our latest paper has been getting, so I’ve decided to keep ‘Building Skills in Organic Chemistry’ discounted on Kindle for another couple of weeks.
amzn.eu/d/6WB8lfx
amzn.eu/d/6WB8lfx
Someone does a PhD in a subject I don’t understand. They worked hard. That person is female. They probably worked harder and have barriers I don’t understand. But I also have a PhD. How the hell does it diminish me that they have the same qualification? Let’s just be kind to one another!
I've started to think a lot about how women like me in academia are being villainized, and how important it is for young women to continue to see examples of what women can accomplish in any sphere, including at home or in the lab. www.vox.com/culture/3894...
Why did the internet lose its mind about a woman getting a PhD?
Harassment against women on X has never been worse.
www.vox.com
December 5, 2024 at 10:19 PM
Someone does a PhD in a subject I don’t understand. They worked hard. That person is female. They probably worked harder and have barriers I don’t understand. But I also have a PhD. How the hell does it diminish me that they have the same qualification? Let’s just be kind to one another!
Reposted by Mark Elliott
I've started to think a lot about how women like me in academia are being villainized, and how important it is for young women to continue to see examples of what women can accomplish in any sphere, including at home or in the lab. www.vox.com/culture/3894...
Why did the internet lose its mind about a woman getting a PhD?
Harassment against women on X has never been worse.
www.vox.com
December 5, 2024 at 8:35 PM
I've started to think a lot about how women like me in academia are being villainized, and how important it is for young women to continue to see examples of what women can accomplish in any sphere, including at home or in the lab. www.vox.com/culture/3894...
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Women are under-represented at senior levels in #academia globally, & across all #science 🧪 disciplines, as shown by these "scissor-shaped curves" ✂️
So how can we ever achieve #gender #equality?
We discuss various strategies in this #Cell Commentary
#WomeninSTEM
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🧵 1/
So how can we ever achieve #gender #equality?
We discuss various strategies in this #Cell Commentary
#WomeninSTEM
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🧵 1/
November 25, 2024 at 12:38 PM
Women are under-represented at senior levels in #academia globally, & across all #science 🧪 disciplines, as shown by these "scissor-shaped curves" ✂️
So how can we ever achieve #gender #equality?
We discuss various strategies in this #Cell Commentary
#WomeninSTEM
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🧵 1/
So how can we ever achieve #gender #equality?
We discuss various strategies in this #Cell Commentary
#WomeninSTEM
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
🧵 1/
Tim is a fantastic scientist AND an excellent human being, so this is a great opportunity for someone looking for a PhD right now. 🙄
I see your immediate vacancy and call with one of my own!
Immediately available PhD studentship (Home fees & stipend) on a MOF/polymers/neutrons/computational project with ISIS, Cardiff and the Ada Lovelace Centre. Original student unable to start so post re-advertised.
#ChemSky spread the word!
Immediately available PhD studentship (Home fees & stipend) on a MOF/polymers/neutrons/computational project with ISIS, Cardiff and the Ada Lovelace Centre. Original student unable to start so post re-advertised.
#ChemSky spread the word!
Soft & Crystalline Composite Materials: Developing Total Scattering Workflows for the Interrogation of Structure. at University of Birmingham on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Soft & Crystalline Composite Materials: Developing Total Scattering Workflows for the Interrogation of Structure. at University of Birmingham, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 27, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Tim is a fantastic scientist AND an excellent human being, so this is a great opportunity for someone looking for a PhD right now. 🙄
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Optimist: The cup is half full
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Referee 1: Yeah, cups are fine, but can you do it with jars, mugs & glasses?
Referee 2: You need to cite these 12 papers showing how to fill things (all ref. 2’s papers)
Referee 3: You misspelled ‘container’ on page 6
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Referee 1: Yeah, cups are fine, but can you do it with jars, mugs & glasses?
Referee 2: You need to cite these 12 papers showing how to fill things (all ref. 2’s papers)
Referee 3: You misspelled ‘container’ on page 6
Optimist: The cup is half full.
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Chemist: Why are we using Imperial measurements instead of metric?
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Chemist: Why are we using Imperial measurements instead of metric?
Optimist: The cup is half full.
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Law professor: No cups in the park
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Law professor: No cups in the park
November 24, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Optimist: The cup is half full
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Referee 1: Yeah, cups are fine, but can you do it with jars, mugs & glasses?
Referee 2: You need to cite these 12 papers showing how to fill things (all ref. 2’s papers)
Referee 3: You misspelled ‘container’ on page 6
Pessimist: The cup is half empty
Referee 1: Yeah, cups are fine, but can you do it with jars, mugs & glasses?
Referee 2: You need to cite these 12 papers showing how to fill things (all ref. 2’s papers)
Referee 3: You misspelled ‘container’ on page 6
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Optimist: The cup is half full.
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Quantum Chemist: Either way, I'm going to have to do an open-shell calculation on this damned cup
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Quantum Chemist: Either way, I'm going to have to do an open-shell calculation on this damned cup
Optimist: The cup is half full.
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Chemist: Why are we using Imperial measurements instead of metric?
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Chemist: Why are we using Imperial measurements instead of metric?
Optimist: The cup is half full.
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Law professor: No cups in the park
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Law professor: No cups in the park
November 23, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Optimist: The cup is half full.
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Quantum Chemist: Either way, I'm going to have to do an open-shell calculation on this damned cup
Pessimist: The cup is half empty.
Quantum Chemist: Either way, I'm going to have to do an open-shell calculation on this damned cup
Reposted by Mark Elliott
Wishing the Elsevier editors who desk-accepted this all the best for their next career moves.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
November 22, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Wishing the Elsevier editors who desk-accepted this all the best for their next career moves.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...