Project description
Pioneering electrochemical and organocatalytic methods unleash novel reactions
Alcohols, thiols and disulfides are critical building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry but breaking and reshaping their carbon-oxygen and carbon-sulphur bonds in useful ways remains a significant challenge. The ERC-funded ECOT project aims to develop pioneering electrochemical methods – using electrical current rather than traditional chemical reagents – to cleave and subsequently functionalise these bonds using specially designed phosphorus- and sulphur-based organocatalysts. These new tools together with integrated mechanistic studies could open the door to novel retrosynthetic disconnections and late-stage (de)functionalisation of molecules like carbohydrates and peptides. Overall, ECOT aims to unleash the potential of alcohols, thiols and disulfides for pharmaceuticals and biomass valorisation processes while advancing fundamental understanding of the underlying chemical mechanisms.
Objective
The purpose of this research, set in the context of synthetic organic chemistry, is to develop unprecedented methods for electrochemically driven cleavage and subsequent functionalization of C–O and C–S bonds in alcohols, thiols and disulfides using organocatalysts based on phosphorus and sulfur. These radical methods will serve as keys to unlock the potential of the targeted compound classes as feedstocks for synthesis of functional organic compounds, e.g. pharmaceuticals, as well as for biomass valorization processes. Due to the complexity of the targeted transformations, the scarcity of available methods and the novelty of the outlined approach, the research will expand the synthetic toolbox, enable new retrosynthetic disconnections and late-stage (de)functionalization of, e.g. carbohydrates and peptides. Combined with the integrated mechanistic studies, the research will have a significant impact from a fundamental science perspective, as well as enable new synthetic applications. The project is divided into two main topics, each sized for one PhD student and one postdoc working together on the outlined work packages. The proposed research is supported by preliminary results that indicate its viability.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules carbohydrates
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry alcohols
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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)
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-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-2024-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.
100 44 Stockholm
Sweden
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.