Description du projet
Des catalyseurs durables à base de métaux alcalino-terreux
Dans le cycle de l’azote, les substances oxydées (NOx), neutres (N2) et réduites (NH3) sont converties d’une forme à l’autre via un réseau complexe de processus. En revanche, la manipulation de l’azote dans l’industrie nécessite souvent des méthodes de force brute. Le procédé Haber-Bosch de conversion de N2 en NH3 est l’un des procédés industriels les plus énergivores. Financé par le programme Actions Marie Skłodowska-Curie, le projet NITRO-EARTH étudiera la chimie organométallique des complexes imido [RN(2ˉ)] et nitruro [N(3ˉ)] des métaux alcalino-terreux, en particulier Mg et Ca. L’objectif ultime est de générer une nouvelle classe de catalyseurs à base de métaux alcalino-terreux en guise d’alternative durable aux catalyseurs à base de métaux de transition.
Objectif
NITRO-EARTH is aiming to investigate the hardly explored nitrogen chemistry of the alkaline-earth metals (Ae) in order to disclose new reactivity and catalysis. In the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle oxidized (NOx), neutral (N2) and reduced (NH3) forms of N are interconverted by a complicated network of processes. In contrast, manipulation of N in industry is challenging and often needs brute-force methods. The Haber-Bosch process for N2-to-NH3 conversion is, despite being metal-catalysed, one of the most energy consuming industrial processes. This proposal focusses on the organometallic chemistry of imido [RN(2ˉ)] and nitrido [N(3ˉ)] complexes of the alkaline-earth metals, in particular Mg and Ca. While the amide (R2Nˉ) chemistry of the Ae metals is well-established, Ae-imido complexes are rare and Ae-nitrido compounds solely exist as insoluble salts, e.g. Mg3N2. Given the importance of imido and nitrido ligands in transition metal chemistry, access to soluble Ae=NR and Ae≡N complexes promises a rich reactivity and is the prelude of new catalytic processes based on abundant, generally biocompatible, alkaline-earth metals. The various pathways to reach the target include utilization of recently introduced, highly reducing Mg(0) complexes by HARDER and nitreones which have been investigated by PATEL. Also HARDER’s recently discovered N2 fixation with Ca will play a role in the synthetic approach. Owing to the highly ionic character and negative charge on N in Ae=NR or Ae≡N complexes, these novel complexes will be extremely potent nucleophiles or deprotonating reagents. This will be strongly dependent on nuclearity and aggregation which will be controlled by a library of bulky ligands currently available in the HARDER group. The work will be heavily supported by ab initio calculations. The project ultimately leads to the generation of a new class of alkaline-earth metal catalysts which may provide sustainable alternative for transition metal based catalysts.
Champ scientifique
Mots‑clés
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Régime de financement
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinateur
91054 Erlangen
Allemagne