Project description
Redefining p-block reactivity by structural constraints
Developing sustainable alternatives to transition-metal catalysis requires unlocking the potential of p-block elements for challenging bond activations. The ERC-funded ConstrainoPhores project defines structurally constrained p-block systems as constrainophores and introduces flexible pre-constrainophores, which are activated by electric fields, light or mechanical forces. It will establish a rigorous theoretical framework for molecular deformation and link constraint effects from molecules to materials. The project aims to enable the cleavage of non-activated C-H bonds, phosphorus-mediated C-C cross-coupling and semiconductor-relevant constrained models. By embedding these systems into polymers, it will create materials capable of stress-induced transformations, reshaping main-group catalysis and advancing more sustainable chemical technologies.
Objective
"Enabling p-block element species for challenging bond activations is crucial for advancing sustainable alternatives to transition metal catalysis. Even more transformative are concepts that guide reactivity in a generalizable manner and for cross-disciplinary impact. While sub-valent species or Frustrated Lewis pairs served as foundational paradigms for p-block-mediated bond activation in recent decades, the structural constraint strategy is emerging as a groundbreaking third approach. However, its fragmented and uncoordinated exploration has limited its broader potential and interdisciplinarity.
CONSTRAINOPHORES will consolidate this concept by defining constrainophores (""constrain"" + -φόρος, meaning ""carrier of"")—molecular p-block systems with intrinsic structural constraints—and pre-constrainophores, flexible centers activated by external forces such as electric fields, light, and mechanical stimuli. Fundamentally, the project will establish a rigorous theoretical framework for molecular deformation with intuitive descriptors to connect constraint effects from molecular to material scales. On the applied front, it will achieve breakthroughs such as phosphorus-mediated C–C cross-coupling, unprecedented terminal oxido chemistry, or the first functional models for semiconductor active sites. Harnessing electric fields will enable cleavage of non-activated C–H bonds, while photochemistry will add an overlooked dimension to the field. Embedding (pre-)constrainophores into polymeric chains will create next-generation materials capable of deformation-induced p-block transformations under mechanical stress.
CONSTRAINOPHORES addresses key limitations of abundant yet underutilized elements, reshapes design paradigms for main-group reactivity and catalysis, and couples previously unconnected research fields and size scales. Reducing reliance on rare metals provides a clear-cut approach to tackling pressing needs for sustainable technologies.
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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 physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
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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
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-2025-COG
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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.
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
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.