Dr Smith's research is directed towards new applications of synthetic chemistry where he has a long-standing interest in the development of new transition metal based catalytic methods. The harnessing of base metals such as Fe, Co, Ni or Cu is particularly attractive due to their unusual reactivities and low-cost compared to Pd Rh or Ir.

Fluorine is ubiquitous to modern life ranging from plastics through to drugs and agrochemicals. We continue to investigate new routes and reagents for the incorporation of this important element.

Finally, we have a great deal of experience in continuous flow with applications ranging from drug syntheses and multi-phase reactions, through to nano-particle syntheses. We are looking forward to applying this technology across the disciplines.

Methyl Hydrazinocarboxylate as a Practical Alternative to Hydrazine in the Wolff-Kishner Reaction. P. B. Cranwell, Andrew T. Russell, Christopher D. Smith, Synlett, 2015, DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1560805. Investigation of Petasis and Ugi reactions in series in an automated microreactor system. N. Heublein, J. S. Moore, C. D. Smith and K. F. Jensen RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 63627-63631. Zinc Mediated Azide-Alkyne Ligation to 1,5- and 1,4,5-Substituted 1,2,3-Triazoles. C. D. Smith and M. F. Greaney Org. Lett., 2013, 15, 4826-4829. In situ formation of azides and their reaction with monolithic supported triphenylphosphine under flow conditions. C. J. Smith, N. Nikbin, C. D. Smith, I. R. Baxendale and S. V. Ley Org. Biomol. Chem. 2011, 9, 1927-1937. Sequential oxidation/Seyferth-Gilbert/CuAAC reactions performed with a modular flow reactor. I. R. Baxendale, S. V. Ley, A. Mansfield and C. D. Smith Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 4017-4021. New opportunities for advancing organic synthesis and flow based chemical processing. M. Baumann, I. R. Baxendale, J. J. Hayward, M. D. Hopkin, J. Jin, M. O. Kitching, S. Lanners, S. V. Ley, N. Nikbin-Rousardi, C. D. Smith, C. J. Smith and L. Tamborini J. Labelled Compd Rad. 2008, 51, 252-253. A bifurcated pathway to thiazoles and imidazoles using a modular flow microreactor. I. R. Baxendale, S. V. Ley, C. D. Smith, L. Tamborini and A.-F. Voica J. Comb. Chem. 2008, 10, 851-857.