Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CHAIR (C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-07-01 do 2024-12-31
CHAIR (C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal) fosters research training of early stage researchers (ESRs) through PhD studentships, on one of the most promising fields of molecular chemistry, i.e. C-H activation. Our target is to establish bridges between academia and industry, aiming for the future general implementation of the C-H activation way of thinking in industry, in R&D and, on the long run, in production. “C-H industrial renewal” enables modernization of the industry by improving its sustainability and economic viability that may only be achieved via the education of the next generation of innovative and entrepreneurial chemists, able to implement the acquired competences in cutting-edge academic research to non-academic sectors.
C-H activation is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of molecular chemistry and has emerged as an increasingly viable tool. Despite clear benefits offered by the C-H activation for sustainable and eco-responsible synthesis, its industrial applications are still scarce, although implementation of the C-H activation mindset in R&D, by exploring late-stage functionalization approaches, is certainly gaining importance. The lack of its widespread implementation in the industrial sector is due to multiple factors, amongst which the major reasons are a) the limited interactions between academia and industrial practitioners, and b) a limited number of young scientists with a strong expertise in the domain. CHAIR is aimed to specifically address these issues.
CHAIR represents a unique European Research Network, combining eight renowned academic research groups and seven industrial partners, strongly motivated to settle a solid basement for profound embedment of the C-H activation in an industrial environment. To achieve this ambitious goal 15 ESRs and 15 advanced scientists will be mobilized to implement direct C-H functionalization in industry, including both lead development and process chemistry. Fundamental research projects are conducted to showcase the potential of the C-H activation to:
1) speed up lead-to-hit optimization in pharmaceutical industries;
2) rapidly access molecular diversity;
3) assemble advanced materials;
4) convert raw materials into valuable building blocks;
5) bring new techniques to easily implement C-H activation based protocols for large-scale production.
Development of these projects, combined with the scientific training and close collaborations within the CHAIR consortiums through specific secondments have provided 15 ESRs with unique competences in this edge-cutting field. Trainings on personal development, career development and societal/business aspects will complement their unique education, providing them with far-reaching and complementary competences to become future key actors of chemical industries in charge of the modernization of chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
C-H activation is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of molecular chemistry and has emerged as an increasingly viable tool. Despite clear benefits offered by the C-H activation for sustainable and eco-responsible synthesis, its industrial applications are still scarce, although implementation of the C-H activation mindset in R&D, by exploring late-stage functionalization approaches, is certainly gaining importance. The lack of its widespread implementation in the industrial sector is due to multiple factors, amongst which the major reasons are a) the limited interactions between academia and industrial practitioners, and b) a limited number of young scientists with a strong expertise in the domain. CHAIR is aimed to specifically address these issues.
CHAIR represents a unique European Research Network, combining eight renowned academic research groups and seven industrial partners, strongly motivated to settle a solid basement for profound embedment of the C-H activation in an industrial environment. To achieve this ambitious goal 15 ESRs and 15 advanced scientists will be mobilized to implement direct C-H functionalization in industry, including both lead development and process chemistry. Fundamental research projects are conducted to showcase the potential of the C-H activation to:
1) speed up lead-to-hit optimization in pharmaceutical industries;
2) rapidly access molecular diversity;
3) assemble advanced materials;
4) convert raw materials into valuable building blocks;
5) bring new techniques to easily implement C-H activation based protocols for large-scale production.
Development of these projects, combined with the scientific training and close collaborations within the CHAIR consortiums through specific secondments have provided 15 ESRs with unique competences in this edge-cutting field. Trainings on personal development, career development and societal/business aspects will complement their unique education, providing them with far-reaching and complementary competences to become future key actors of chemical industries in charge of the modernization of chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Objective 1: train the next generation of chemists on C–H activation and green chemistry
We have hired and trained 15 ESRs. Hands-on laboratory training was provided by the PI and the research team of ESRs in their host institution. Further training is provided through secondments, ensuring geographic, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility for all ESRs. We have organised a series of workshops, seminars and lectures (both online and in person) to cover all aspects of the ESRs training, providing both scientific knowledge and transversal skills. In total, every ESR received more than 160 hours of interdisciplinary and intersectoral trainings.
Objective 2: design new sustainable and cost-efficient C–H Activation methodologies
Combining academic and industrial perspectives, experimental and theoretical work, batch, flow chemistry and high-throughput experiments, several developments are being carried out, including: new catalytic systems for late-stage or remote functionalisation, innovative methods towards new materials, new C–H activation pathways on biomass derivatives, as well as novel sustainable and safe C–H activation reactions using state of the art approaches such as photocatalysis or surfactant chemistry with industrial applications. By the end of 2024, 6 ESRs have completed their research and successfully defended their thesis. The others are finalising their manuscript and preparing to defend in 2025.
The results obtained from research have been disseminated in more than 25 research papers (11 of which stem from collaborative work), and several manuscripts are in preparation.
Objective 3: foster new collaborations to bridge the gap between industry and academia
New industrial-academic collaborations have been initiated within the consortium. Further than the IRPs, the project enabled regular scientific exchanges between academic and industrial researchers, whether during our online monthly meetings or our in-person gatherings. CHAIR has already strengthened existing relationships and is helping initiating new ones, with new project ideas already emerging. The intersectoral aspect of the consortium is highlighted by joint publications between academic and industrial partners, with 13 joint papers of which 11 from a new collaboration.
We have hired and trained 15 ESRs. Hands-on laboratory training was provided by the PI and the research team of ESRs in their host institution. Further training is provided through secondments, ensuring geographic, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility for all ESRs. We have organised a series of workshops, seminars and lectures (both online and in person) to cover all aspects of the ESRs training, providing both scientific knowledge and transversal skills. In total, every ESR received more than 160 hours of interdisciplinary and intersectoral trainings.
Objective 2: design new sustainable and cost-efficient C–H Activation methodologies
Combining academic and industrial perspectives, experimental and theoretical work, batch, flow chemistry and high-throughput experiments, several developments are being carried out, including: new catalytic systems for late-stage or remote functionalisation, innovative methods towards new materials, new C–H activation pathways on biomass derivatives, as well as novel sustainable and safe C–H activation reactions using state of the art approaches such as photocatalysis or surfactant chemistry with industrial applications. By the end of 2024, 6 ESRs have completed their research and successfully defended their thesis. The others are finalising their manuscript and preparing to defend in 2025.
The results obtained from research have been disseminated in more than 25 research papers (11 of which stem from collaborative work), and several manuscripts are in preparation.
Objective 3: foster new collaborations to bridge the gap between industry and academia
New industrial-academic collaborations have been initiated within the consortium. Further than the IRPs, the project enabled regular scientific exchanges between academic and industrial researchers, whether during our online monthly meetings or our in-person gatherings. CHAIR has already strengthened existing relationships and is helping initiating new ones, with new project ideas already emerging. The intersectoral aspect of the consortium is highlighted by joint publications between academic and industrial partners, with 13 joint papers of which 11 from a new collaboration.
15 ESRs have been trained with a strong multidisciplinary knowledge of C–H activation and transversal skills. Several ESRs have completed their PhD and are pursuing their career, while others are finishing their PhD and will defend in 2025. They will all bring a very innovative perspective to their future employment place. The strong network created within the CHAIR project will facilitate future collaborations between the consortium members along their career.
Over the course of the project, CHAIR members have developed new methodologies for C-H activation. Innovative methods have been successfully developed and employed, such as photocatalysis in flow, electrocatalysis, micellar catalysis, mechanochemical ball milling. A variety of approaches has been explored, including the use of Nickel, Manganese, Palladium, Ruthenium, Iridium, Gold; as well as the development of new ligands or reagents, including the use of tetraethylammonium salts or hypervalent bromines and chlorines, to find innovative and easy routes to scaffolds of interest.
Out of 25 research papers published, 9 stem from intersectoral collaborations, showing the strong interest of industry for these new methodologies. More papers are in preparation and expected to be published next year, results of the latest work from our ESRs.
Over the course of the project, CHAIR members have developed new methodologies for C-H activation. Innovative methods have been successfully developed and employed, such as photocatalysis in flow, electrocatalysis, micellar catalysis, mechanochemical ball milling. A variety of approaches has been explored, including the use of Nickel, Manganese, Palladium, Ruthenium, Iridium, Gold; as well as the development of new ligands or reagents, including the use of tetraethylammonium salts or hypervalent bromines and chlorines, to find innovative and easy routes to scaffolds of interest.
Out of 25 research papers published, 9 stem from intersectoral collaborations, showing the strong interest of industry for these new methodologies. More papers are in preparation and expected to be published next year, results of the latest work from our ESRs.