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Development of an artificial alkane monooxygenase: A leap in bioinspired oxidation catalysis

Objective

The oxygenation of inert C-H bonds is a highly challenging reaction that has an enormous untapped potential for the European chemical industry. Indeed, it offers attractive means to upgrade cheap hydrocarbons into high value-added products. Nature relies on iron-based enzymes and oxygen to perform such transformations. In a biomimetic spirit, catalytic alkane hydroxylation is best achieved using iron-based catalysts and H2O2 as oxidant. Compared to natural enzymes, however, such systems display modest performance. In the TAML-ArM project, we aim to the development of a novel approach that consists of creating an artificial alkane monooxygenase by introducing a highly active iron complex within a protein scaffold. This strategy, pioneered in the Ward group, has ample precedent for less challenging reactions, and it potentially represents a significant step forward in bioinspired hydroxylation chemistry. To achieve this goal artificial metalloenzymes merge homogeneous- and enzymatic catalysis, two traditionally complementary strategies. We envision that this approach will: i) improve the catalytic activity by protecting the highly reactive Fe=O-moiety by shielding it from undesirable side-reactions and ii) provide novel selectivities, owing to second coordination sphere interactions between the protein and the substrate. Thanks to this innovative catalytic approach, we will develop a paradigm shifting technology for the selective hydroxylation of hydrocarbons: the reactions will be performed in water at room temperature using benign H2O2 as oxidant.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITAT BASEL
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 175 419,60
Address
PETERSPLATZ 1
4051 Basel
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Nordwestschweiz Basel-Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 175 419,60
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