Doctoral themes 2023

CO₂ as a renewable carbon source for the synthesis of value-added compounds

Supervisors

Ana Cristina Fernandes, anacristinafernandes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Tiago Cruz, carpinteirocruz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Registration Institution

Instituto Superior Técnico

Project description

The conversion of CO₂ into value-added products is an attractive option to address the global warming and energy crisis without preventing development and urbanization.

In this PhD project, new catalytic methodologies for the valorization of CO₂ in a variety of value-added compounds will be investigated. Initially, homogeneous catalysts containing earth-abundant and non-toxic metals, such as magnesium, manganese, iron, nickel, copper or zinc, will be synthesized. Next, these catalysts will be applied in the chemical transformation of CO₂ and its incorporation into synthetic organic molecules under mild conditions.

This PhD plan will cover the areas of organometallic chemistry, organic synthesis, homogeneous catalysis and sustainable chemistry and it certainly will contribute to the use of CO₂ as a renewable carbon source and as C1 building block for the sustainable synthesis of valuable compounds and raw materials for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

This project fits into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda numbers 12 and 13 and its successful execution will certainly contribute to improve CO₂ valorization and circular economy, while also bringing great benefits to the environment and human health.

Keywords

CO₂ valorization

Value-added compounds

Environmentally friendly catalysts

Homogeneous catalysis

Sustainable chemistry.