Project description
Biocatalytic production of amines
Amines are derivatives of ammonia where hydrogen atoms have been substituted with an alkyl group. They have a wide range of applications, from gas treatment processes and refineries to pesticides, dyes and drugs. However, their synthesis is challenging, as it is difficult to activate the N-H bond. Funded by the European Research Council, the SINGAMBI project aims to overcome this shortcoming in amine synthesis by developing chemical tools that promote cooperative bond activation. The method mimics the way enzymes function and uses ammonia as a starting reagent. Importantly, it is sustainable and does not generate any toxic waste as with other methods of synthesis.
Objective
The addition of ammonia to alkenes, which could produce amines in a 100% atom efficient process, has never been achieved by a molecular catalytic system and stands as a modern Holy Grail for the synthetic chemist. Alkyl amines, a major chemical commodity, are typically accessed through stoichiometric methods, even employing toxic N1 feedstocks such as hydrogen cyanide. The fundamental barrier to utilizing ammonia as an N1 feedstock lies in its activation, with a high N-H bond energy and a preference for acting as a neutral donor ligand in organometallic systems. In order to employ ammonia in catalytic transformations, new bond-activation concepts which address these fundamental pitfalls are essential.
The SINGAMBI project overcomes these challenges through the Single-Centre Ambiphile (SCA) ligand concept. Drawing inspiration from cooperative activation protocols at play in enzymes and bimetallic complexes, this concept defines non-innocent ligand systems which utilise highly reactive ambiphilic species from the forefront of low-valent main group chemistry. In combination with reactive transition metal (TM) centres, SCA ligands provide a platform for cooperative bond scission via yet unexplored mechanistic pathways. This can drive facile ammonia activation, directing N-H bond cleavage towards the formation of TM hydride complexes, key in overcoming previous shortfalls in the hydroamination of alkenes with this abundant small molecule. Ultimately, we will expand this concept towards universal systems for waste-free alkene functionalisation catalysis, through forming a deep understanding of the unique mechanistic pathways accessible through the SCA ligand concept. In designing, developing and understanding numerous SCA-TM systems, the SINGAMBI project will develop a breadth of unique chemical tools for the promotion of cooperative bond activation and sustainable catalysis, framed by the activation and utilisation of ammonia for waste-free access to commodity amines.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry amines
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
80333 Muenchen
Germany
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