MLCat | Multifunctional Ligands for Enhanced Catalysis

Summary
Transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization replaces an inert carbon-hydrogen bond with a functional group, expediently altering the properties of the parent molecule to access new classes of compounds. Although the C-H functionalization represents a green chemistry approach as it precludes the need for pre-functionalized starting materials, there are still two main sustainability shortcomings with most current methodologies. The first challenge is achieving functionalization of specific C-H bonds without affecting other C-H sites in the molecule. A widely employed strategy to control the selectivity of metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions has relied upon the covalent attachment of directing groups (i.e., pyridine, oxime, diazo) to the parent molecule. The requisite installation and removal of directing groups make the overall transformation less appealing from an atom- and step-economy perspective. The second challenge is to substitute commonly used precious transition metals with more benign earth-abundant alternatives. The proposed research program will address these shortcomings by developing an innovative and more efficient way for selective metal-catalyzed functionalization of aromatic and aliphatic C-H bonds without pre-attaching a directing group. The proposed strategies will rely on the design of multifunctional ligands capable of simultaneous binding to the substrate and the transition metal catalyst. The proposed approach will take advantage of the ability of Cr(0) to form an pi-arene complex and activate the aromatic and benzylic C-H bonds. Addressing these challenges associated with C-H activation technology would have the power to unlock many industrial applications, such as valorizing fine chemicals and modifying complex natural products, drug leads, or polymers.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101039994
Start date: 01-08-2022
End date: 31-07-2027
Total budget - Public funding: 1 583 643,75 Euro - 1 583 643,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Transition metal-catalyzed C-H functionalization replaces an inert carbon-hydrogen bond with a functional group, expediently altering the properties of the parent molecule to access new classes of compounds. Although the C-H functionalization represents a green chemistry approach as it precludes the need for pre-functionalized starting materials, there are still two main sustainability shortcomings with most current methodologies. The first challenge is achieving functionalization of specific C-H bonds without affecting other C-H sites in the molecule. A widely employed strategy to control the selectivity of metal-catalyzed C-H bond functionalization reactions has relied upon the covalent attachment of directing groups (i.e., pyridine, oxime, diazo) to the parent molecule. The requisite installation and removal of directing groups make the overall transformation less appealing from an atom- and step-economy perspective. The second challenge is to substitute commonly used precious transition metals with more benign earth-abundant alternatives. The proposed research program will address these shortcomings by developing an innovative and more efficient way for selective metal-catalyzed functionalization of aromatic and aliphatic C-H bonds without pre-attaching a directing group. The proposed strategies will rely on the design of multifunctional ligands capable of simultaneous binding to the substrate and the transition metal catalyst. The proposed approach will take advantage of the ability of Cr(0) to form an pi-arene complex and activate the aromatic and benzylic C-H bonds. Addressing these challenges associated with C-H activation technology would have the power to unlock many industrial applications, such as valorizing fine chemicals and modifying complex natural products, drug leads, or polymers.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2021-STG

Update Date

09-02-2023
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EU-Programme-Call
Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2021-STG ERC STARTING GRANTS
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2021-STG ERC STARTING GRANTS