Doctoral Themes - Proposals

Alkane Functionalization towards Sustainable Organic Synthesis (FALKANOS)

Supervisors

M. Fátima C. Guedes da Silva, fatima.guedes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Armando Pombeiro, pombeiro@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Registration Institution

Instituto Superior Técnico (Universidade de Lisboa)

Project description

Alkanes, the main components of natural gas and oil, are burnt as energy source to CO2 with harmful environmental effects, what also contributes to the exhaust of those non-renewable fossil fuels. They constitute a huge reserve of carbon and their potential use as feedstocks for organic synthesis is an attractive perspective, but concerns one of the greatest challenges of modern Chemistry in view of their inertness, typically requiring harsh conditions and showing high inefficiency.

This multidisciplinary project aims to achieve sustainable processes for alkane functionalization towards their conversion into valuable organic compounds (alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, etc). This inspired our recent book cover (see below) showing symbolic blooming almond tree branches with frameworks provided by alkanes and blossoms by functional groups.

Such processes should be much milder, simpler (single-pot) and less costly for their organic products than those currently used in industry.

Both gaseous (including methane) and liquid alkanes will be addressed, and (nano)catalysis will be applied to overcome alkanes inertia and achieve carbon-hydrogen bond activation and functionalization, namely inspired by biological systems. The project aligns with the multi-university Catalysis and Sustainability (CATSUS) PhD Program and will be developed mainly within Group 1 (Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis) of CQE, with a broad international team, within a consortium gathering various foreign laboratories in Russia, Austria, UK, etc. Industrial partners should be attracted.

Keywords

Sustainable chemistry; Sustainable synthesis; Catalysis; Natural carbon resources; Natural gas

Societal challenges

The proposal aims to contribute to a better utilization of natural carbon resources and aligns with relevant societal challenges, such as those expressed by the United Nations Goal 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) and Goal 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation).

Check other proposals from this and the other thematic lines: