Doctoral themes 2023

Exploring chalcogen bonds towards CO₂ conversion 

Supervisors

Kamran T. Mahmudov, mahmudov.kt@gmail.com

Vânia André, vaniandre@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Ana V. M. Nunes, avn07929@fct.unl.pt

Registration Institution

Instituto Superior Técnico

Project description

The chalcogen bond (ChB) is defined as a noncovalent interaction between the electron density deficient region (so-called as σ or π hole) of a covalently bonded Ch atom and a nucleophilic (Nu) site in the same (intramolecular) or another (intermolecular) molecular entity: R−Ch···Nu, where Ch = O, S, Se or Te; R = C, Pn, Ch, metal, etc.; Nu = lone pair possessing Ha, Ch, Pn or metal atom, π-system, anion, radical, etc. Chalcogen bonds are stronger than traditional hydrogen bonds, which are the most common type of noncovalent interaction, and this makes ChB an attractive supramolecular tool for the design of new organic and coordination compounds. The aim of this Project is to use ChB in the synthesis of metal complexes and their further application in a variety of industrially relevant catalytic transformations, such as the reaction of CO₂ with epoxides, alkenes and alkynes. This reaction is a versatile and important process with the potential to contribute to the development of sustainable chemical processes and the utilization of CO₂ as a valuable resource.

Keywords

Noncovalent interactions

Chalcogen bond

Synthesis

Crystal engineering

CO₂ catalysis