Dr Anas Alkayal
About
Biography
Dr Anas Alkayal is a Lecturer in Organic and Practical Chemistry at the University of Surrey, where he specializes in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and electrochemistry. He earned his PhD in Medicinal Organic Chemistry from Al Baath University, Syria, in collaboration with Dr Ayman Karam from the University of Poitiers, France. His research focused on sustainable drug synthesis using green chemistry methods, including the arylation of amines and phenols with organometallic catalysts.
Dr Alkayal has held postdoctoral research positions at Loughborough University, UK. His first postdoctoral role in Synthetic Organic Chemistry under Professor Ben Buckley focused on small molecule activation using classical and electrochemical synthesis techniques, including the stereoselective hydrocarboxylation of alkenes and alkynes. Later, as a PDRA in Physical Chemistry under Professor Upul Wijayantha, he worked on energy storage technologies, specifically supercapacitors, and hydrogen generation via methane cracking.
At Surrey, Dr Alkayal leads lectures and practical sessions, mentoring both undergraduate and postgraduate students. He was awarded the prestigious Lewis Elton Award for innovation in teaching, recognizing his contributions to pedagogical excellence. Additionally, he received a Dean’s Award for enhancing the student experience. Dr Alkayal is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and his research continues to impact both academia and industry.
University roles and responsibilities
- Teaching delivery and development
- Student pastoral care
- Management and administration
My qualifications
Previous roles
Affiliations and memberships
2024 Lewis Elton Awardee for Innovation in Learning and Teaching
ResearchResearch interests
Organic Synthesis
Pioneering electrochemical conversion techniques for the sustainable and environmentally-friendly synthesis of organic compounds, advancing green chemistry practices.
Medicinal Chemistry
Developing innovative methods for the synthesis of natural products with promising potential in treating Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM), and creating safer, more effective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs NSAIDs.
Physical Chemistry
Exploring cutting-edge hydrogen generation technologies, including methane cracking, and advancing the development of green energy storage solutions for sustainable power systems.
Pedagogical Research
Exploring the integration of storytelling techniques in chemistry education to enhance student engagement, improve conceptual understanding, and foster a deeper connection to the subject matter.
Research interests
Organic Synthesis
Pioneering electrochemical conversion techniques for the sustainable and environmentally-friendly synthesis of organic compounds, advancing green chemistry practices.
Medicinal Chemistry
Developing innovative methods for the synthesis of natural products with promising potential in treating Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM), and creating safer, more effective Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs NSAIDs.
Physical Chemistry
Exploring cutting-edge hydrogen generation technologies, including methane cracking, and advancing the development of green energy storage solutions for sustainable power systems.
Pedagogical Research
Exploring the integration of storytelling techniques in chemistry education to enhance student engagement, improve conceptual understanding, and foster a deeper connection to the subject matter.
Supervision
Completed postgraduate research projects I have supervised
BSc Final Year Research Project Students
MChem Research Project students
MSc Research Project students
Pharmaceutical Science MSc Research Project students
Teaching
ADVANCES IN ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION
ORGANIC CARBON-CARBON BOND FORMATION AND HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY
APPLIED ORGANIC SPECTROSCOPY
FOUNDATIONAL CHEMISTRY
MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING AND STATISTICAL SKILLS
ORGANIC STRUCTURE, REACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL GROUPS
DRUG DISCOVERY AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
STRUCTURE, BONDING AND REACTIONS OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Publications
Additional publications
Journal Articles
- Patent: “ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSFORMATIONS” A.Alkayal, F.Montazersadgh, J.Xuan, B.R.Buckley. US Patent App. 18/291,967, 2024
- Alkayal, A.; Avanthay, M.; Batanero, B.; Broersen, P.; Brown, R. C.; Chen, L.; Chuang, P.-C.; Fuchigami, T.; Inagi, S.; Kalyani, D.; Lam, K.; Landis, M.; Liu, T. L.; Milner, M. J.; Price, R.; Shida, N.; Wirth, T. Flow Cells and Reactor Design: General Discussion. Faraday Discussions 2023, 247, 333–341. DOI:10.1039/d3fd90042h.
- Alkayal, A.; Baptista, J.; Shacklock, J.; Shaban, M.; Lobato, K.; Wijayantha, U. Superior Rate Capability of High Mass Loading Supercapacitors Fabricated with Carbon Recovered from Methane Cracking. Inorganics 2023, 11 (8), 316.
- Patent: “Fuel from Waste Streams” A.Alkayal, F.Montazersadgh, J.Xuan, B.R.Buckley. Int Pat App WO 2023/007144, 2nd February 2023
- Patent: “Fuel from Waste Streams” A.Alkayal, F.Montazersadgh, J.Xuan, B.R.Buckley UK Patent Application No: 2110687.7, Filed 26.07.2021
- Sheta, A.; Alkayal, A.; Mashaly, M.; Said, S.; Elmorsy, S.; Malkov, A.; Buckley, B. Selective Electrosynthetic Hydrocarboxylation Of Α,Β‐Unsaturated Esters With Carbon Dioxide. Angewandte Chemie 2021, 133, 22003-22008.
Highlighted in OPR&D Richardson, P.; Steven, A.; Kargbo, R.; Mateos, C.; Zlota, A.; Nawrat, C.; Matcha, K.; Ramirez, A.; Knight, J. Some Items of Interest to Process R&D Chemists and Engineers. Organic Process Research & Development 2021.
- Xu, H.; Shaban, M.; Wang, S.; Alkayal, A.; Liu, D.; Kong, M.; Plasser, F.; Buckley, B.; Iza, F. Oxygen Harvesting From Carbon Dioxide: Simultaneous Epoxidation And CO Formation. Chemical Science 2021,12 (40), 13373–13378.
- Montazersadgh, F.; Zhang, H.; Alkayal, A.; Buckley, B.; Kolosz, B.; Xu, B.; Xuan, J. Electrolytic Cell Engineering And Device Optimization For Electrosynthesis Of E-Biofuels Via Co-Valorisation Of Bio-Feedstocks And Captured CO2. Frontiers of Chemical Science and Engineering 2020, 15, 208-219. Cover Article
- Alkayal, A.; Tabas, V.; Montanaro, S.; Wright, I.; Malkov, A.; Buckley, B. Harnessing Applied Potential: Selective Β-Hydrocarboxylation of Substituted Olefins. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2020, 142, 1780-1785.
- Highlighted in an invited Synform Interview
- Highlighted as a Viewpoint article in ChemSusChem by Prof. Arjan Kleij
- Highlighted on the Organic Chemistry Portal
- Xu, H.; Wang, S.; Shaban, M.; Montazersadgh, F.; Alkayal, A.; Liu, D.; Kong, M.; Buckley, B.; Iza, F. Trans ‐Stilbene Epoxidation By He+O2 Atmospheric Pressure Plasma: Epoxidation Without Oxidant Waste Stream. Plasma Processes and Polymers 2019, 17, 1900162
Oral Presentations
- “Investigating the Potential of Storytelling Techniques in Chemistry Teaching” Talk has been delivered at The University of Surrey, UK, Feb 2024
- “Total Synthesis of JBIR-101” Talk delivered at the 2nd Postdoctoral Symposium, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield, Royal Society of Chemistry, Heterocyclic and Synthesis Group, UK, May 2024.
- “Harnessing Applied Potential: The Anti-Markovnikov Hydrocarboxylation of Substituted Olefins” Oral presentation to the EPSRC CO2Chem Grand Challenge Network Status meeting, Loughborough University, 21st Sept 2018.
Poster Presentations
- “Total Synthesis of JBIR-101” Poster presentation at 29th International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry Congress, Aveiro, Portugal, 21- 26 July 2024.
- “Towards The Synthesis of a Natural Compound JBIR-101 as a Potential Anti-Mesothelioma Agent” Poster presentation at 25th Lakeland Symposium, Grasmere, UK, 7-11 May 2023.
- “Harnessing Applied Potential: The Anti-Markovnikov Hydrocarboxylation of Substituted Olefins” Poster presentation at the 17th International Conference on Carbon Dioxide Utilization (ICCDU), Aachen, Germany, 23 – 27 June 2019.