ESR4 Project

Development of supported catalysts for continuous flow asymmetric hydrogenation

Recruting institution: UoB
Diploma-delivering institutions: UoB, INPT
Thesis co-directors: Vasile Pârvulescu (UoB, Bucarest, RO), Jérôme Durand and Karine Philippot (LCC, Toulouse, FR), Maryse Gouygou (LCC, FR)
Secondment host: Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation (ES)

Objectives

Develop new supported catalysts for continuous flow asymmetric hydrogenation by immobilizing chiral catalysts (metallic complexes and nanoparticles) on the surface of nanostructured carbon materials (carbon nanotubes and/or graphene) [1-3]. An innovative aspect with the supported nanoparticles will be to take advantage of the strong effect of carbonaceous supports in the activation of hydrogen and of the specific metal-single layer graphene interaction [3, 4]

[1] M.R. Axet, O. Dechy-Cabaret, J. Durand, M. Gouygou, P. Serp, Coord. Chem. Rev.2016, 308, 236–345.
[2] C. Amiens, D. Ciuculescu-Pradines, K. Philippot, Coord. Chem. Rev., 2016, 38, 409-432.
[3] A. Primo, I. Esteve-Adell, S. M. Coman, N. Candu, V. I. Pârvulescu, H. Garcia, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 607-612.
[4] A. Primo, F. Neatu, M. Florea, V.I. Parvulescu, H. Garcia, Nature Commun., 2014, 5, 5291

Expected Results

Achieve a new generation of highly active (TOF ≥ 1000 h^-1) and selective catalysts (ee ≥ 95%) in asymmetric hydrogenation of C=C and C=N benchmark substrates. Determine the structure/activity relationships of these catalysts through a rational optimization of the anchoring process taking into account the influence of the nature of the support/catalyst interactions. Rationalization of enantioselectivity in relation with both the substrates, substituents, and the solvent.

Zinnia Arora

PhD student - ESR4

I Zinnia Arora, a future fellow of the CCIMC network from India. I attained my Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Chemistry from DAV University, Punjab. I have completed a Master’s degree in chemistry from the Central University of Haryana.

All my manifestation of active research in the field of chemistry is channelized via various internship projects. Thus, I carried out an internship at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), India. My work concentrated under matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. For my Master’s thesis, I worked at IISER Mohali, investigating the catalytic activity of a primary amide functionalized metal complex through asymmetry for the solvent-free cyanosilylation reaction.

My PhD research under the CCIMC network focused on the advancing development and amelioration of a new supported catalyst for continuous flow asymmetric hydrogenation by immobilizing chiral catalysts (metallic complexes and nanoparticles) on the surface of non-structured carbon materials (carbon nanotubes/ graphenes). Moreover, the innovative aspect with the supported nanoparticles will be to take advantage of the strong effect of carbonaceous supports in the activation of hydrogen and of the specific metal-single layer graphene interaction.