Objective
The efficient production of deuterated organic molecules is critical for many technological applications: pharmaceuticals, metabolic tracers, organic LEDs... The global market is €190-430 million in 2024 and expected to reach €1 billion by 2033.
The main challenges are the cost and efficiency of production, hence the ability to introduce the deuterium at a late stage with high yield and regioselectivity. Today’s best strategy relies on transition metal catalysts. Supported nanoparticles of ruthenium and iridium have recently emerged as the benchmark for technological development because of their strong tolerance to functional groups, high yields of selective deuteration and the possibility to use them in a flow process with recirculation of D2O as a cheap deuterium source. However, they come with two major limitations: the cost of the raw materials (Ru: 20 000 €/kg, Ir: 120 000 €/kg), and their limited regioselectivity.
In ERC NanoFLP, we developed low-temperature hydrogenation nanocatalysts using nickel (15 €/kg). Their surface reactivity was boosted by the addition of phosphines (PR3, with R alkyl or aryl) as Lewis bases, forming a reactive pocket where both the steric and electronic parameters were tailored. The hydrogenation of alkynes was achieved at low temperatures.
Excellent hydrogenation catalysts are generally effective for hydrogen/deuterium exchange because they achieve C–H activation.
In PRELUDE, we optimize the NanoFLP catalyst as a supported nanocatalyst modified with organic ligands to achieve the precise deuteration of benchmark compounds. This catalyst may outperform Ru/Ir nanoparticles while being fully compatible with the flow recirculation process. Here, the deuteration site will be dictated by the fine variation of steric and electronic parameters, adjusted on demand upon selection of commercial ligands.
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
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept 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-POC
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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.
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.