Carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere at an ever-increasing rate due to the burning of fossil fuels. At the same time, the production of bulk and fine chemistry mostly relies on the same crude oil as a carbon source. This situation is unsustainable and therefore calls for the recycling of CO2 as a carbon source. State-of-the-art methods are not sufficient to balance the carbon cycle and therefore it is important to increase the scope of available reactions using CO2. In this proposal, we aim to develop a new methodology using CO2 as a C1-synthon to open up new synthetic pathways. We will bind CO2 to a metal centre and use a radical-coupling pathway to form C-C bonds through an atom-efficient transformation. In this way, we aim to synthesise both natural and unnatural chiral amino acids from amines using visible light and combined photoredox- and CO2-catalysis. The project will contribute to uphold Europe as a world-leader in sustainability by developing novel green methodologies, as well as maintain it as a respected destination for outstanding research by dissemination of the results to both experts and a broader audience. Furthermore, the highly interdisciplinary project and extensive training will prepare the researcher to pursue a successful career in sustainable chemistry.

PhoCuS-Flow project aims to contribute to the European Research Area (ERA) by developing a new generation of sunlight activated copper photocatalysts supported on mesoporous silica. Three novel concepts are proposed: i) use of tris(triazolyl)methanol-Cu-complexes (developed in the host group) as photocatalysts in organic reactions, ii) the immobilization of the complexes on mesoporous silica materials to be used as heterogeneous and recyclable catalysts and iii) implementation of a continuous flow setup in order to gain in efficiency and potential industrial applicability. These objectives have a direct impact in some of the ‘Societal Challenges’ listed in H2020 i.e. ‘Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy’ and ‘Climate action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials’. PhoCuS-Flow will merge the expertise of the host group in organic chemistry catalysts immobilization and flow processes, together with the background of the applicant in the synthesis of materials, heterogeneous catalysis and management, to reach the desired deliverables and milestones. In addition, a secondment for further specialization in photophysics and photocatalysis has been included in the work plan. An ambitious training program including a number of new scientific and soft skills to be transferred to the applicant is also envisaged. Moreover, the ER will transfer her knowledge to the host groups and will be the link between them to forge future collaborations. Altogether, PhoCuS-Flow will give the candidate a unique opportunity to gain new expertise in different areas of research and new soft skills and leadership capacities. Hence, MSCA will position her at the forefront of the young researchers in the ERA, making possible to reach a position as a group leader at a University in the European Union.

We are in a changing era for drug discovery: the growing perception is that basic chemical research will play a greater role in pharmaceutical development. One current challenge is to develop a new kind of chemistry that yields a screening collection comprising optimal chiral molecules that increase the probability of success in identifying drug-candidate structures. The proposed research aims to develop conceptually innovative catalytic methods to rapidly generate, in one single step, architecturally complex chiral natural-like compounds. Natural products have been selected in evolution and their underlying structural scaffolds define biologically relevant fractions of chemical space. Consequently, compound libraries inspired by natural structures deliver lead candidates with a higher hit-rate than conventional lead generation strategies. We will pursue the proposed research project under the guiding principle that compound development should be driven by discoveries and innovation in chemical methodology. The goal of the research project is to combine the potential of asymmetric organocatalysis and gold catalysis, powerful fields of molecule activation, to find cost-effective synthetic methods for reproducing the rich structural diversity of natural molecules. Since the vast majority of natural products and drug-like compounds possess heterocyclic moieties, we will focus on preparing diverse heterocyclic compounds, especially based on the furan unit. The resulting synthetic platform will be used as an ideal starting point for assembling enantiopure chiral 2,3-furan fused carbocycles, which, along with biological screening carried out in collaboration with a world-wide recognized pharma-company (Lundbeck A/S), will increase the probability of success in identifying drug-candidate structures. The multi-cultural nature of this project will greatly contribute to broaden the fellow competencies and will place him in an excellent position for the next career move

The direct utilization of native functional groups without the need for prefunctionalized holds considerable promise to revolutionize organic synthesis. While significant advances have been realized within the area of C-H activation, the functionalization of inert C-O bonds in aryl ethers is still at its infancy. Prompted by the natural abundance of aryl ethers in Lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer (30% of non-fossil organic carbon on earth), chemists have been challenged to devise, conceptuality and practicality aside, mild, general and widely applicable catalytic technologies for ethereal C-O funcionalization. At present, however, these technologies remain confined to the use of rather activated extended p-systems, stoichiometric metal reagents and, in many instances, harsh conditions. ET-PHOTOX will offer an innovative and challenging approach for functionalizing aryl C-O bonds by merging nickel catalysis and photoredox catalysis via electron donor-acceptor complexation events. Such synergistic ca

Sustainable routes towards the formation of key synthetic carbon–carbon bonds by cross-coupling remains a challenge in organic chemistry. Realization of this goal will enable the combination of simple building blocks to rapidly assimilate synthetic complexity with only a minimum level of stoichiometric waste. Electrochemistry provides a new platform to conduct reactions through in situ generation of reactive intermediates under mild conditions, with broad applications to industrial synthesis. Herein, we seek to combine the fields of electrochemistry and cross-coupling reactions, using an electric current to catalytically generate alkylzinc reagents and reactive alkyl radicals. These intermediates will then undergo coupling, facilitated by nickel catalysis, to generate key carbon–carbon bonds, including challenging C(sp3)–C(sp3) bonds. Furthermore, the powerful combination of electrochemistry and nickel catalysis will enable the simplest feedstock chemicals – alkanes – to be utilized for the first time in cross-coupling through a nickel chain-walking process, providing facile access to fatty acids and alternative coupled products. These projects will enable the emergence of new reaction strategies for exploitation in a sustainable manner. Additionally, this ambitious and innovative proposal will succeed through considerable two-way transfer of knowledge between the participating organizations and the ER, developing the fellow into a leading international researcher.