The project is organized around the following 7 work packages (WP), of which one form management (WP1), four for research (WP2-5), one for training (WP6) and one for outreach and public engagement (WP7). Each one is composed of several tasks as shown below.
WP1. Network management
Objectives: i) ensure the project administrative and financial management; ii) coordinate the ESR recruitment; iii) favour an effective and participative management inside the consortium; iv) handle the Data Management Plan.
Tasks: Consortium Agreement (T1.1), ESR recruitment and enrolment (T1.2), Organisation of project meetings (T1.3), Financial management (T1.4), Data management (T1.5).
Lead participant: Rinaldo Poli (LCC)
WP2. Ligand Design
Objectives: Development of new ligand families, possibly assisted by computations, if required on the basis of feedback from WP4. Feedback for further ligand optimization will also be provided by WP3 and WP5.
Tasks: NHC Ligands (T2.1), Chiral Ligands (T2.2), New phosphorus ligands (T2.3), Ligand modification for immobilization (T2.4).
Lead participant: Anna Kajetanowicz (UW)
WP3. Precatalyst development
Objectives: Development of molecular complexes integrating the new ligands produced in WP2, as well as of new catalytic systems such as molecular complexes of Ca and Ge and well-defined metal nanoparticles. Entirely unprecedented systems will also be developed with guidance from WP4. Immobilization of precatalysts in innovative ways for specific application in WP5. Thorough characterization of all systems.
Tasks: Precatalysts based on the new ligands (T3.1), New catalytic systems (T3.2), Ligand and precatalyst confinement (T3.3).
Lead participant: Matthias Westerhausen (FSU)
WP4. Reactions and mechanisms
Objectives: This WP is of more exploratory and fundamental nature, exploring the activation of challenging substrates for new applications in WP5 and providing guidance for ligand and precatalyst optimization in WP2 and WP3. It will involve extensive use of advanced spectroscopic techniques and computational chemistry as a tool for predictions and interpretations.
Tasks: New bond activations and reactions (T4.1), Analysis of catalytic mechanisms (T4.2).
Lead participant: Jason Lynam (UoY)
WP5. Catalytic studies
Objectives: To develop new catalysed processes; to improve existing processes in terms of productivity and/or selectivity; to transfer existing catalytic technology to more benign conditions; to improve catalyst recovery.
Tasks: Known catalytic reactions (T5.1), New catalyzed transformations (T5.2); New implementations of catalysis (T5.3).
Lead participant: Anne-Marie Caminade (LCC)
WP6. Training programme
Objectives: To prepare future leaders, equipped with the scientific, technical and transferable skills needed to address all industrial and societal challenges related to molecular catalysis in Europe. This WP will i) organise the training activities; ii) follow the ESR Personal Career Development Plan; iii) evaluate the training programme. This WP will be supported by the Academic Board.
Tasks: Organisation of the theoretical training (T6.1), Organisation of the active training (T6.2); Organisation of the international school (T6.3); Establishment and monitoring of the ESRs’ PCDP (T6.4); Training quality process (T6.5).
Lead participant: Evamarie Hey-Hawkins (ULEI)
WP7. Outreach and public engagement
Objectives: i) Coordinate the communication activities ; ii) favour the dissemination of results produced by the EJD, including publications; iii) ensure that, if relevant, exploitation of results will be handled; iv) develop and present the dedicated plans to the Supervisory Board. The WP will benefit from the support of an Outreach Committee (OC) appointed for the duration of the project to monitor the communication and dissemination activities and of the Advisory Board.
Tasks: Communication Plan (T7.1), Dissemination and exploitation strategy (T7.2); Organisation of the international workshops (T7.3).
Lead participant: Karine Philippot (LCC)