Objective
Dinitrogen (N2) is an essential resource for life, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and materials science, yet its inertness, due to high bond dissociation energy (941 kJ/mol) and a large HOMO-LUMO gap (10.8 eV), makes activation and conversion a major scientific challenge. The energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which supports global agriculture, consumes 1-2% of world energy and contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.
Inspired by nitrogenases, recent advances have expanded nitrogen fixation beyond transition metals to main-group elements. A paradigm shift occurred in 2018 with the first boron-based molecular activation of N2, and more recently, the host group achieved metal-free, radical-mediated conversion of N2 to borylamines under mild conditions. However, key mechanistic aspects remain unresolved: radical intermediates are unisolated, uncharacterized, and poorly understood beyond computational predictions.
This MSCA project aims to address these gaps by elucidating the mechanism of boron-radical-mediated N2 activation. We will design novel Lewis acids and radical capture agents to isolate and characterize key intermediates such as [R2B-N2]• and [(R2B)2N]• using multimodal analysis (XRD, NMR, EPR, UV-vis, and DFT). Furthermore, the project will demonstrate the release of green nitrogen products (NH₃ and organonitrogens) via electrophilic functionalization and establish a closed synthetic cycle, contributing to sustainable chemistry aligned with EU Critical Raw Materials priorities.
By combining fundamental insight with applied goals, this research pioneers a sustainable pathway for nitrogen fixation beyond the Haber-Bosch process.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
You need to log in or register to use this function
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-2025-PF
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.
75794 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.