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Bi(III)/Bi(V) Redox Catalysis for Organic Synthesis

Project description

Bismuth gets a chance to shine in redox catalysis

Bismuth is considered one of the most underexplored and unknown chemical elements. Despite its neighbours in the periodic table, some bismuth-based compounds are safe for a variety of uses, including in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and pigments. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the BiREDOX project aims to fashion bismuth into redox complexes that explore catalytic unchartered territories beyond the transition metals. The project plans to design novel bismuth complexes that will engage in Bi(III)/Bi(V) redox cycles. Bismuth provides a cheaper, greener and exciting opportunity compared to the scarce and expensive second- and third-row transition metals that are typically used in catalysis.

Objective

The continued use of non-earth abundant and toxic metals as catalysts represents a major challenge in catalysis that must be addressed if true sustainable processes are to be developed. In this regard, the development of new low-cost and non-toxic catalysts would be highly desirable with significant impact to the environment and ultimately, our society. To this end, bismuth represents an attractive alternative for the development of catalytic alternatives that secure sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches for organic synthesis. Despite the wide range of bismuth salts capable of performing organic transformations, their ability to participate in catalytic redox processes is largely unknown. Hence, the major reason for this underdevelopment is the requirement of strong oxidants to achieve a higher oxidation state at the metal center, rendering a catalytic cycle unfeasible. Thus, this project aims at the rational design of novel bismuth complexes to be engaged in catalytic Bi(III)/Bi(V) redox processes, which will represent an unprecedented strategy for organic synthesis. The research proposal presented herein relies on the design of strained Bi complexes to unlock the use of N-fluoro/trifluoromethyl salts and of aryliodonium and diazonium species, to serve as mild oxidants for Bi(III) centers. In addition, reductive elimination from Bi(V) will also be studied in detail to fully elucidate the basic steps of a Bi(III)/Bi(V) redox cycle. Additionally, the ultimate goal of this proposal is the implementation of such bismuth complexes as catalysts in organic synthesis, thus opening up new possibilities to explore a new chemical space. Thus, this project aims to provide a greener alternative to the scarce and expensive second- and third-row transition metals typically used in catalysis, particularly focusing on both their replacement for bismuth salts and the discovery of novel reactions and selectivities previously unknown.

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-2018

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Coordinator

MAX PLANCK INSTITUT FUER KOHLENFORSCHUNG
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.

€ 162 806,40
Address
KAISER WILHELM PLATZ 1
45470 Muelheim An Der Ruhr
Germany

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Düsseldorf Mülheim an der Ruhr
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
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.

€ 162 806,40
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