MODUCAT

New modular self-assembled homogeneous catalysts for asymmetric synthesis in water

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'There is a continuous interest to apply homogeneous catalysis to asymmetric synthesis, which is the elective method for drugs production in pharmaceutical industry. Asymmetric catalysis provides the cheapest synthetic route to optically active compounds with minimal number of steps and reduced use of expensive chiral substrates. Replacing conventional methods with those involving asymmetric catalysis is then mandatory to reduce considerably energy/materials costs and the environmental impact of chemical manufacturing. The improvement of either efficiency and selectivity of traditional molecular chiral catalysts is a time consuming and expensive procedure that may be bypassed by the development of the innovative "modular catalysis" on which the MODUCAT proposal is concerning. The accomplishment of MODUCAT milestones will boost the application of asymmetric catalysts to several industrial processes. The main objectives of the project are: (1) to develop the modular assemblage of a chiral catalyst consisting of two independent units, separately responsible for activity and enantioselectivity. Such units, assembled together by Coulombic and/or hydrophobic forces, should form an innovative catalyst conjugating activity with enantioselectivity; (2) to validate the MODUCAT ideas in model catalytic asymmetric processes carried out in aqueous media. While the few known examples of "modular catalysts" find application in non-polar media, we propose to use Ag/Au NPs functionalized with SAMs of optically active charged molecules to bring about the modular approach in polar solvents. While the Fellow's background in catalysis, organometallic/colloidal chemistry, particularly dealing with charged NPs, is a big asset that guarantees high chance to reach the goals of the project, his training in preparation of water soluble catalysts and their application to aqueous systems, where the Host has a recognized experience, is a fundamental prerequisite for the success of the project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded researchers have developed a new modular type of catalyst that will make the synthesis of complex chemicals (such as pharmaceuticals) cheaper and quicker.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Catalysis is a crucial part of modern chemical synthesis. Asymmetric catalysts are especially important as they help produce enantiomers (compounds that cannot be superimposed over their mirror images, like left and right hands).

The 'New modular self-assembled homogeneous catalysts for asymmetric synthesis in water' (MODUCAT) project aimed to produce a new class of modular catalysts. Researchers aimed to bond different catalysts responsible for activity and for enantio-selectivity into one catalyst that could perform both functions.

Researchers first tested gold nanoparticles with certain chemical groups attached. This approach was helpful in allowing them to model the process, but presented some problems in practice.

Next, they tested micelles (aggregated fat molecules, almost like bubbles) as these provided compartments that could contain other catalysts. These proved much more effective as modular catalysts, successfully catalysing the model reaction used in the MODUCAT project.

Further studies of this reaction helped researchers better understand the requirements for an effective modular catalyst. The MODUCAT project concluded that developing modular catalysts that function in an aqueous solution is a feasible goal and should be pursued for commercial application.