Project description
Towards a bio-inspired sustainable chemistry
The Stetter reaction, a bio-inspired process catalysed by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), can form carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds in water without the use of metals or organic solvents. Insoluble organic substrates form hydrophobic organic droplets in water, which promotes the reaction despite NHC sensitivity to hydrolysis. In this context, the MSCA-funded BioCataDrops project is studying the Stetter reaction in coacervates (polymer-rich aqueous microdroplets considered to be primitive models of the first living cells). The premise is that coacervates can serve as microreactors for the synthesis of C-C bonds using newly designed organocatalysts. The project will demonstrate the formation of C-C bonds using a Stetter reaction model to explore the molecular mechanism and to study the impact of the internal polarity of coacervates on the reaction kinetics.
Objective
"Bio-inspired catalysis in aqueous coacervate droplets: towards a softer chemistry
Recent advancements in modern synthetic chemistry have aligned with the imperative of reducing environmental impact, driving the emergence of a more sustainable chemistry, inspired by nature. In organic chemistry, the formation of C-C bonds is pivotal but often necessitates the use of both metal and organic solvents. However, a non-enzymatic approach to forge C-C bonds in water has been demonstrated through the Stetter reaction, a bio-inspired process catalyzed by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) and thiamin cofactor mimics. Due to their limited water solubility, organic substrates generate water-isolated organic droplets, effectively promoting the Stetter reaction despite NHC's sensitivity to hydrolysis. Our objective is to investigate the Stetter reaction within polymer-rich aqueous microdroplets known as ""coacervates,"" which emulate primitive models of early living cells. Similar to micellar chemistry, these droplets possess a hydrophobic inner core, facilitating the spontaneous uptake and accumulation of organic molecules. We hypothesize that coacervates can serve as microreactors for C-C bond synthesis, catalyzed by newly designed azolium-based organocatalysts compatible with coacervates. Our aim is to demonstrate in-situ C-C bond formation via a model Stetter reaction and explore the molecular mechanism, akin to an ""on-water"" environment, while considering the impact of coacervates' internal polarity on reaction kinetics, yield, and selectivity. Altogether, our findings will broaden horizons in sustainable bio-inspired chemistry, enhancing the soft chemistry toolbox and potentially inaugurating a new realm of research: bio-inspired organic synthesis within coacervates. Significantly, the chemical synthesis of complex molecules in coacervates could also shed light on mechanisms that could have led to the formation of Lifes molecules in protocells before enzymes emerged.
"
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 catalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
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.
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
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.
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
75654 PARIS
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.