Project description
Transfer hydrogenation via single-atom catalysis on covalent organic frameworks
Adding hydrogens to unsaturated aldehydes to form unsaturated alcohols is an important yet challenging step in fine chemical production, and current approaches have significant drawbacks, including low selectivity or harsh reaction conditions. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MESISAC project aims to design a new generation of affordable, highly selective catalysts based on single non-noble metal atoms anchored to tailored covalent organic frameworks, targeting greener catalytic transfer hydrogenation. Combining advanced materials synthesis, cutting-edge spectroscopy and computational modelling, MESISAC seeks to deliver a cleaner, more efficient and less expensive route to fine chemical production.
Objective
The semi-hydrogenation of unsaturated aldehydes to alcohols is a key step in fine chemical production. Existing catalysts based on noble metal nanoparticles, however, suffer from high cost, low selectivity, and deactivation, while the use of molecular hydrogen requires harsh conditions. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) with renewable hydrogen donors like formic acid offers a safer and milder alternative, yet efficient, stable, and cost-effective catalysts remain elusive.
In MESISAC, I will design non-noble metal single-atom catalysts (SACs) on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with tunable functional groups to control metal coordination, targeting >80% conversion, >90% selectivity, and stability over ≥5 cycles. Detailed kinetic and mechanistic studies, including isotope labelling and structure-reactivity relationships, will clarify the reaction pathways.
A distinctive feature of MESISAC is the integrated training program, which combines hands-on expertise in materials synthesis, advanced operando spectroscopy (XAS, NAP-XPS), and computational modeling, with the development of transferable skills such as project management, scientific communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This structured training, supported by secondments at the SOLARIS synchrotron and exposure to industrial partners, will accelerate my scientific independence, boosting my ability to coordinate interdisciplinary research projects while further strengthening my leadership, problem-solving, and innovation skills.
The project will be hosted at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering of POLIMI, providing access to state-of-the-art synthesis, characterization, and catalytic testing facilities. By combining advanced materials design with in-depth mechanistic insight and comprehensive training, in MESISAC I aim to push the frontiers of sustainable catalysis for biomass upgrading and provide economically viable and environmentally friendly chemical processes.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
20133 Milano
Italy
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.