Research areas at RSC

Research areas

Research divisions

The RSC is organized into three broad research divisions: chemical biology, materials chemistry and chemical synthesis.

Biology chemistry

Biological chemistry involves the scientific study of the chemical processes in organisms. This area deals with the structure and function of cellular components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules.

Learn more about Chemical Biology
Material chemistry

Materials chemistry: is a multidisciplinary field that transcends the traditional areas of chemistry, physics, engineering and biology.

Learn more about Materials
Synthesis chemistry

Synthesis is the preparation of substances by way of chemical processes.

Learn more about Synthesis

Research areas

The three research divisions encompass many chemical sub-disciplines. These areas are listed below.

Sensors chemistry

Analytical chemistry and the development of sensors are two closely related fields of chemistry that are focused on the identification and quantification of molecules within complex samples.

Learn more about Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
Catalysis

Catalysis is the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a substance that itself does not undergo change.

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Computational chemistry

Physical and theoretical chemistry involves the scientific study of macroscopic, microscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems by the application of physics.

Learn more about Computational and Theoretical Chemistry

The greatest challenges facing 21st century are chemical in nature: addressing energy security and the development of sustainable industry, including the transition away from fossil fuels (decarbonisation) and the remediation of contaminated/polluted environments.

Learn more about Energy, Environment and Green Chemistry
Nano technology

Materials Chemistry involves the scientific study including the history of a material (its processing) influences its structure, and thus the material's properties and performance.

Learn more about Functional Materials and Interfaces
Inorganic chemistry

Inorganic chemistry involves the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of all chemical compounds except for the compounds consisting primarily of carbon and hydrogen, which are the focus of organic chemistry.

Learn more about Inorganic Chemistry and Organometallic Chemistry
Medicine Chemistry

Medicinal chemistry is focused on the development of drugs, which could be either small molecules or peptides and proteins, for treatment of disease.

Learn more about Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development
Organic chemistry

We are increasingly able to manipulate and control the structure and behaviour of individual molecules and even atoms – nanotechnology. This opens up the exciting possibility of controlling the fundamental properties of materials such as colour, strength and electrical conductivity.

Learn more about Organic chemistry
Physics chemistry

Physical and Biophysical Chemistry underpin all other chemical disciplines.

Learn more about Physical and Biophysical Chemistry
Crystal lines

Soft matter deals with colloids, granular matter, liquid crystals, polymers, and other easily deformed materials.

Learn more about Soft Matter
Molecule

Supramolecular chemistry involves the organized arrangement of molecules via the control and manipulation of intermolecular interactions.

Learn more about Supramolecular Chemistry