Objective In modern technological processes nearly 75% of all chemicals require a catalyst for their production. Moreover, very frequently the most demanding stages require a late Transition Metal based catalyst because of their exceptional ability to activate relatively inert non-polar chemical bonds such as H-H or C-H linkages. However, application of such systems is likely to become increasingly difficult, due to a lack of sustainable availability, together with the high cost and toxicity of these metals. Therefore replacement of precious Transition Metals with inexpensive, abundant, and (in most cases) less toxic Main Group element analogues is at the cutting edge of modern research. We propose to use an approach based on the application of the unique electronic properties of anionic boryl ligands to construct complexes of the Main Group elements with reactivity comparable to Transition Metal systems. Our main goal is to establish the fundamental ground rules for catalyst design in what is an entirely new area of endeavour contributing to the “cheap metals for noble tasks” strategy. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD EU contribution € 221 606,40 Address WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
