Project acronym aLzINK
Project Alzheimer's disease and Zinc: the missing link ?
Researcher (PI) Christelle Sandrine Florence HUREAU-SABATER
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2014-STG
Summary Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most serious diseases mankind is now facing as its social and economical impacts are increasing fastly. AD is very complex and the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide as well as metallic ions (mainly copper and zinc) have been linked to its aetiology. While the deleterious impact of Cu is widely acknowledged, intervention of Zn is certain but still needs to be figured out.
The main objective of the present proposal, which is strongly anchored in the bio-inorganic chemistry field at interface with spectroscopy and biochemistry, is to design, synthesize and study new drug candidates (ligands L) capable of (i) targeting Cu(II) bound to Aβ within the synaptic cleft, where Zn is co-localized and ultimately to develop Zn-driven Cu(II) removal from Aβ and (ii) disrupting the aberrant Cu(II)-Aβ interactions involved in ROS production and Aβ aggregation, two deleterious events in AD. The drug candidates will thus have high Cu(II) over Zn selectively to preserve the crucial physiological role of Zn in the neurotransmission process. Zn is always underestimated (if not completely neglected) in current therapeutic approaches targeting Cu(II) despite the known interference of Zn with Cu(II) binding.
To reach this objective, it is absolutely necessary to first understand the metal ions trafficking issues in presence of Aβ alone at a molecular level (i.e. without the drug candidates).This includes: (i) determination of Zn binding site to Aβ, impact on Aβ aggregation and cell toxicity, (ii) determination of the mutual influence of Zn and Cu to their coordination to Aβ, impact on Aβ aggregation, ROS production and cell toxicity.
Methods used will span from organic synthesis to studies of neuronal model cells, with a major contribution of a wide panel of spectroscopic techniques including NMR, EPR, mass spectrometry, fluorescence, UV-Vis, circular-dichroism, X-ray absorption spectroscopy...
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most serious diseases mankind is now facing as its social and economical impacts are increasing fastly. AD is very complex and the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide as well as metallic ions (mainly copper and zinc) have been linked to its aetiology. While the deleterious impact of Cu is widely acknowledged, intervention of Zn is certain but still needs to be figured out.
The main objective of the present proposal, which is strongly anchored in the bio-inorganic chemistry field at interface with spectroscopy and biochemistry, is to design, synthesize and study new drug candidates (ligands L) capable of (i) targeting Cu(II) bound to Aβ within the synaptic cleft, where Zn is co-localized and ultimately to develop Zn-driven Cu(II) removal from Aβ and (ii) disrupting the aberrant Cu(II)-Aβ interactions involved in ROS production and Aβ aggregation, two deleterious events in AD. The drug candidates will thus have high Cu(II) over Zn selectively to preserve the crucial physiological role of Zn in the neurotransmission process. Zn is always underestimated (if not completely neglected) in current therapeutic approaches targeting Cu(II) despite the known interference of Zn with Cu(II) binding.
To reach this objective, it is absolutely necessary to first understand the metal ions trafficking issues in presence of Aβ alone at a molecular level (i.e. without the drug candidates).This includes: (i) determination of Zn binding site to Aβ, impact on Aβ aggregation and cell toxicity, (ii) determination of the mutual influence of Zn and Cu to their coordination to Aβ, impact on Aβ aggregation, ROS production and cell toxicity.
Methods used will span from organic synthesis to studies of neuronal model cells, with a major contribution of a wide panel of spectroscopic techniques including NMR, EPR, mass spectrometry, fluorescence, UV-Vis, circular-dichroism, X-ray absorption spectroscopy...
Max ERC Funding
1 499 948 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-03-01, End date: 2020-02-29
Project acronym BIOMIM
Project Biomimetic films and membranes as advanced materials for studies on cellular processes
Researcher (PI) Catherine Cecile Picart
Host Institution (HI) INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE GRENOBLE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary The main objective nowadays in the field of biomaterials is to design highly performing bioinspired materials learning from natural processes. Importantly, biochemical and physical cues are key parameters that can affect cellular processes. Controlling processes that occur at the cell/material interface is also of prime importance to guide the cell response. The main aim of the current project is to develop novel functional bio-nanomaterials for in vitro biological studies. Our strategy is based on two related projects.
The first project deals with the rational design of smart films with foreseen applications in musculoskeletal tissue engineering. We will gain knowledge of key cellular processes by designing well defined self-assembled thin coatings. These multi-functional surfaces with bioactivity (incorporation of growth factors), mechanical (film stiffness) and topographical properties (spatial control of the film s properties) will serve as tools to mimic the complexity of the natural materials in vivo and to present bioactive molecules in the solid phase. We will get a better fundamental understanding of how cellular functions, including adhesion and differentiation of muscle cells are affected by the materials s surface properties.
In the second project, we will investigate at the molecular level a crucial aspect of cell adhesion and motility, which is the intracellular linkage between the plasma membrane and the cell cytoskeleton. We aim to elucidate the role of ERM proteins, especially ezrin and moesin, in the direct linkage between the plasma membrane and actin filaments. Here again, we will use a well defined microenvironment in vitro to simplify the complexity of the interactions that occur in cellulo. To this end, lipid membranes containing a key regulator lipid from the phosphoinositides familly, PIP2, will be employed in conjunction with purified proteins to investigate actin regulation by ERM proteins in the presence of PIP2-membranes.
Summary
The main objective nowadays in the field of biomaterials is to design highly performing bioinspired materials learning from natural processes. Importantly, biochemical and physical cues are key parameters that can affect cellular processes. Controlling processes that occur at the cell/material interface is also of prime importance to guide the cell response. The main aim of the current project is to develop novel functional bio-nanomaterials for in vitro biological studies. Our strategy is based on two related projects.
The first project deals with the rational design of smart films with foreseen applications in musculoskeletal tissue engineering. We will gain knowledge of key cellular processes by designing well defined self-assembled thin coatings. These multi-functional surfaces with bioactivity (incorporation of growth factors), mechanical (film stiffness) and topographical properties (spatial control of the film s properties) will serve as tools to mimic the complexity of the natural materials in vivo and to present bioactive molecules in the solid phase. We will get a better fundamental understanding of how cellular functions, including adhesion and differentiation of muscle cells are affected by the materials s surface properties.
In the second project, we will investigate at the molecular level a crucial aspect of cell adhesion and motility, which is the intracellular linkage between the plasma membrane and the cell cytoskeleton. We aim to elucidate the role of ERM proteins, especially ezrin and moesin, in the direct linkage between the plasma membrane and actin filaments. Here again, we will use a well defined microenvironment in vitro to simplify the complexity of the interactions that occur in cellulo. To this end, lipid membranes containing a key regulator lipid from the phosphoinositides familly, PIP2, will be employed in conjunction with purified proteins to investigate actin regulation by ERM proteins in the presence of PIP2-membranes.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 996 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-06-01, End date: 2016-05-31
Project acronym BIONICS
Project Bio-Inspired Routes for Controlling the Structure and Properties of Materials: Reusing proven tricks on new materials
Researcher (PI) Boaz Pokroy
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2013-StG
Summary "In the course of biomineralization, organisms produce a large variety of functional biogenic crystals that exhibit fascinating mechanical, optical, magnetic and other characteristics. More specifically, when living organisms grow crystals they can effectively control polymorph selection as well as the crystal morphology, shape, and even atomic structure. Materials existing in nature have extraordinary and specific functions, yet the materials employed in nature are quite different from those engineers would select.
I propose to emulate specific strategies used by organisms in forming structural biogenic crystals, and to apply these strategies biomimetically so as to form new structural materials with new properties and characteristics. This bio-inspired approach will involve the adoption of three specific biological strategies. We believe that this procedure will open up new ways to control the structure and properties of smart materials.
The three bio-inspired strategies that we will utilize are:
(i) to control the short-range order of amorphous materials, making it possible to predetermine the polymorph obtained when they transform from the amorphous to the succeeding crystalline phase;
(ii) to control the morphology of single crystals of various functional materials so that they can have intricate and curved surfaces and yet maintain their single-crystal nature;
(iii) to entrap organic molecules into single crystals of functional materials so as to tailor and manipulate their electronic structure.
The proposed research has significant potential for opening up new routes for the formation of novel functional materials. Specifically, it will make it possible for us
(1) to produce single, intricately shaped crystals without the need to etch, drill or polish;
(2) to control the short-range order of amorphous materials and hence the polymorph of the successive crystalline phase;
(3) to tune the band gap of semiconductors via incorporation of tailored bio-molecules."
Summary
"In the course of biomineralization, organisms produce a large variety of functional biogenic crystals that exhibit fascinating mechanical, optical, magnetic and other characteristics. More specifically, when living organisms grow crystals they can effectively control polymorph selection as well as the crystal morphology, shape, and even atomic structure. Materials existing in nature have extraordinary and specific functions, yet the materials employed in nature are quite different from those engineers would select.
I propose to emulate specific strategies used by organisms in forming structural biogenic crystals, and to apply these strategies biomimetically so as to form new structural materials with new properties and characteristics. This bio-inspired approach will involve the adoption of three specific biological strategies. We believe that this procedure will open up new ways to control the structure and properties of smart materials.
The three bio-inspired strategies that we will utilize are:
(i) to control the short-range order of amorphous materials, making it possible to predetermine the polymorph obtained when they transform from the amorphous to the succeeding crystalline phase;
(ii) to control the morphology of single crystals of various functional materials so that they can have intricate and curved surfaces and yet maintain their single-crystal nature;
(iii) to entrap organic molecules into single crystals of functional materials so as to tailor and manipulate their electronic structure.
The proposed research has significant potential for opening up new routes for the formation of novel functional materials. Specifically, it will make it possible for us
(1) to produce single, intricately shaped crystals without the need to etch, drill or polish;
(2) to control the short-range order of amorphous materials and hence the polymorph of the successive crystalline phase;
(3) to tune the band gap of semiconductors via incorporation of tailored bio-molecules."
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-09-01, End date: 2018-08-31
Project acronym BOTTOM-UP_SYSCHEM
Project Systems Chemistry from Bottom Up: Switching, Gating and Oscillations in Non Enzymatic Peptide Networks
Researcher (PI) Gonen Ashkenasy
Host Institution (HI) BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY OF THE NEGEV
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2010-StG_20091028
Summary The study of synthetic molecular networks is of fundamental importance for understanding the organizational principles of biological systems and may well be the key to unraveling the origins of life. In addition, such systems may be useful for parallel synthesis of molecules, implementation of catalysis via multi-step pathways, and as media for various applications in nano-medicine and nano-electronics. We have been involved recently in developing peptide-based replicating networks and revealed their dynamic characteristics. We argue here that the structural information embedded in the polypeptide chains is sufficiently rich to allow the construction of peptide 'Systems Chemistry', namely, to facilitate the use of replicating networks as cell-mimetics, featuring complex dynamic behavior. To bring this novel idea to reality, we plan to take a unique holistic approach by studying such networks both experimentally and via simulations, for elucidating basic-principles and towards applications in adjacent fields, such as molecular electronics. Towards realizing these aims, we will study three separate but inter-related objectives: (i) design and characterization of networks that react and rewire in response to external triggers, such as light, (ii) design of networks that operate via new dynamic rules of product formation that lead to oscillations, and (iii) exploitation of the molecular information gathered from the networks as means to control switching and gating in molecular electronic devices. We believe that achieving the project's objectives will be highly significant for the development of the arising field of Systems Chemistry, and in addition will provide valuable tools for studying related scientific fields, such as systems biology and molecular electronics.
Summary
The study of synthetic molecular networks is of fundamental importance for understanding the organizational principles of biological systems and may well be the key to unraveling the origins of life. In addition, such systems may be useful for parallel synthesis of molecules, implementation of catalysis via multi-step pathways, and as media for various applications in nano-medicine and nano-electronics. We have been involved recently in developing peptide-based replicating networks and revealed their dynamic characteristics. We argue here that the structural information embedded in the polypeptide chains is sufficiently rich to allow the construction of peptide 'Systems Chemistry', namely, to facilitate the use of replicating networks as cell-mimetics, featuring complex dynamic behavior. To bring this novel idea to reality, we plan to take a unique holistic approach by studying such networks both experimentally and via simulations, for elucidating basic-principles and towards applications in adjacent fields, such as molecular electronics. Towards realizing these aims, we will study three separate but inter-related objectives: (i) design and characterization of networks that react and rewire in response to external triggers, such as light, (ii) design of networks that operate via new dynamic rules of product formation that lead to oscillations, and (iii) exploitation of the molecular information gathered from the networks as means to control switching and gating in molecular electronic devices. We believe that achieving the project's objectives will be highly significant for the development of the arising field of Systems Chemistry, and in addition will provide valuable tools for studying related scientific fields, such as systems biology and molecular electronics.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-10-01, End date: 2015-09-30
Project acronym CARBONFIX
Project Towards a Self-Amplifying Carbon-Fixing Anabolic Cycle
Researcher (PI) Joseph Moran
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHE AUX FRONTIERES DE LA CHIMIE FONDATION
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2014-STG
Summary How can simple molecules self-organize into a growing synthetic reaction network like biochemical metabolism? This proposal takes a novel synthesis-driven approach to the question by mimicking a central self-amplifying CO2-fixing biochemical reaction cycle known as the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle. The intermediates of this cycle are the synthetic precursors to all major classes of biomolecules and are built from CO2, an anhydride and electrons from simple reducing agents. Based on the nature of the reactions in the cycle and the specific structural features of the intermediates that comprise it, we propose that the entire cycle may be enabled in a single reaction vessel with a surprisingly small number of simple, mutually compatible catalysts from the recent synthetic organic literature. However, since one of the required reactions does not yet have an efficient synthetic equivalent in the literature and since those that do have not yet been carried out sequentially in a single reaction vessel, we will first independently develop the new reaction and sequences before attempting to combine them into the entire cycle. The new reaction and sequences will be useful green synthetic methods in their own right. Most significantly, this endeavour could provide the first experimental evidence of an exciting new alternative model for early biochemical evolution that finally illuminates the origins and necessity of biochemistry’s core reactions.
Summary
How can simple molecules self-organize into a growing synthetic reaction network like biochemical metabolism? This proposal takes a novel synthesis-driven approach to the question by mimicking a central self-amplifying CO2-fixing biochemical reaction cycle known as the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle. The intermediates of this cycle are the synthetic precursors to all major classes of biomolecules and are built from CO2, an anhydride and electrons from simple reducing agents. Based on the nature of the reactions in the cycle and the specific structural features of the intermediates that comprise it, we propose that the entire cycle may be enabled in a single reaction vessel with a surprisingly small number of simple, mutually compatible catalysts from the recent synthetic organic literature. However, since one of the required reactions does not yet have an efficient synthetic equivalent in the literature and since those that do have not yet been carried out sequentially in a single reaction vessel, we will first independently develop the new reaction and sequences before attempting to combine them into the entire cycle. The new reaction and sequences will be useful green synthetic methods in their own right. Most significantly, this endeavour could provide the first experimental evidence of an exciting new alternative model for early biochemical evolution that finally illuminates the origins and necessity of biochemistry’s core reactions.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-09-01, End date: 2020-08-31
Project acronym CBTC
Project The Resurgence in Wage Inequality and Technological Change: A New Approach
Researcher (PI) Tali Kristal
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH2, ERC-2015-STG
Summary Social-science explanations for rising wage inequality have reached a dead end. Most economists argue that computerization has been primarily responsible, while on the other side of the argument are sociologists and political scientists who stress the role of political forces in the evolution process of wages. I would like to use my knowledge and experience to come up with an original theory on the complex dynamics between technology and politics in order to solve two unsettled questions regarding the role of computerization in rising wage inequality: First, how can computerization, which diffused simultaneously in rich countries, explain the divergent inequality trends in Europe and the United States? Second, what are the mechanisms behind the well-known observed positive correlation between computers and earnings?
To answer the first question, I develop a new institutional agenda stating that politics, broadly defined, mitigates the effects of technological change on wages by stimulating norms of fair pay and equity. To answer the second question, I propose a truly novel perspective that conceptualizes the earnings advantage that derives from computerization around access to and control of information on the production process. Capitalizing on this new perspective, I develop a new approach to measuring computerization to capture the form of workers’ interaction with computers at work, and build a research strategy for analysing the effect of computerization on wages across countries and workplaces, and over time.
This research project challenges the common understanding of technology’s role in producing economic inequality, and would thereby significantly impact all of the abovementioned disciplines, which are debating over the upswing in wage inequality, as well as public policy, which discusses what should be done to confront the resurgence of income inequality.
Summary
Social-science explanations for rising wage inequality have reached a dead end. Most economists argue that computerization has been primarily responsible, while on the other side of the argument are sociologists and political scientists who stress the role of political forces in the evolution process of wages. I would like to use my knowledge and experience to come up with an original theory on the complex dynamics between technology and politics in order to solve two unsettled questions regarding the role of computerization in rising wage inequality: First, how can computerization, which diffused simultaneously in rich countries, explain the divergent inequality trends in Europe and the United States? Second, what are the mechanisms behind the well-known observed positive correlation between computers and earnings?
To answer the first question, I develop a new institutional agenda stating that politics, broadly defined, mitigates the effects of technological change on wages by stimulating norms of fair pay and equity. To answer the second question, I propose a truly novel perspective that conceptualizes the earnings advantage that derives from computerization around access to and control of information on the production process. Capitalizing on this new perspective, I develop a new approach to measuring computerization to capture the form of workers’ interaction with computers at work, and build a research strategy for analysing the effect of computerization on wages across countries and workplaces, and over time.
This research project challenges the common understanding of technology’s role in producing economic inequality, and would thereby significantly impact all of the abovementioned disciplines, which are debating over the upswing in wage inequality, as well as public policy, which discusses what should be done to confront the resurgence of income inequality.
Max ERC Funding
1 495 091 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-09-01, End date: 2021-08-31
Project acronym CHROMTISOL
Project Towards New Generation of Solid-State Photovoltaic Cell: Harvesting Nanotubular Titania and Hybrid Chromophores
Researcher (PI) Jan Macak
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERZITA PARDUBICE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2014-STG
Summary In photovoltaics (PVs), a significant scientific and technological attention has been given to technologies that have the potential to boost the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency and to power recently unpowerable devices and objects. The research of various solar cell concepts for diversified applications (building integrated PVs, powering mobile devices) has recently resulted in many innovations. However, designs and concepts of solar cells fulfilling stringent criteria of efficiency, stability, low prize, flexibility, transparency, tunable cell size, esthetics, are still lacking.
Herein, the research focus is given to a new physical concept of a solar cell that explores extremely promising materials, yet unseen and unexplored in a joint device, whose combination may solve traditional solar cells drawbacks (carrier recombination, narrow light absorption).
It features a high surface area interface (higher than any other known PVs concept) based on ordered anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays, homogenously infilled with nanolayers of high absorption coefficient crystalline chalcogenide or organic chromophores using different techniques, yet unexplored for this purpose. After addition of supporting constituents, a solid-state solar cell with an extremely large incident area for the solar light absorption and optimized electron pathways will be created. The CHROMTISOL solar cell concept bears a large potential to outperform existing thin film photovoltaic technologies and concepts due to unique combination of materials and their complementary properties.
The project aims towards important scientific findings in highly interdisciplinary fields. Being extremely challenging and in the same time risky, it is based on feasible ideas and steps, that will result in exciting achievements.
The principal investigator, Jan Macak, has an outstanding research profile in the field of self-organized anodic nanostructures and is an experienced researcher in the photovoltaic field
Summary
In photovoltaics (PVs), a significant scientific and technological attention has been given to technologies that have the potential to boost the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency and to power recently unpowerable devices and objects. The research of various solar cell concepts for diversified applications (building integrated PVs, powering mobile devices) has recently resulted in many innovations. However, designs and concepts of solar cells fulfilling stringent criteria of efficiency, stability, low prize, flexibility, transparency, tunable cell size, esthetics, are still lacking.
Herein, the research focus is given to a new physical concept of a solar cell that explores extremely promising materials, yet unseen and unexplored in a joint device, whose combination may solve traditional solar cells drawbacks (carrier recombination, narrow light absorption).
It features a high surface area interface (higher than any other known PVs concept) based on ordered anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays, homogenously infilled with nanolayers of high absorption coefficient crystalline chalcogenide or organic chromophores using different techniques, yet unexplored for this purpose. After addition of supporting constituents, a solid-state solar cell with an extremely large incident area for the solar light absorption and optimized electron pathways will be created. The CHROMTISOL solar cell concept bears a large potential to outperform existing thin film photovoltaic technologies and concepts due to unique combination of materials and their complementary properties.
The project aims towards important scientific findings in highly interdisciplinary fields. Being extremely challenging and in the same time risky, it is based on feasible ideas and steps, that will result in exciting achievements.
The principal investigator, Jan Macak, has an outstanding research profile in the field of self-organized anodic nanostructures and is an experienced researcher in the photovoltaic field
Max ERC Funding
1 644 380 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-03-01, End date: 2020-02-29
Project acronym CO2Recycling
Project A Diagonal Approach to CO2 Recycling to Fine Chemicals
Researcher (PI) Thibault Matthias Daniel Cantat
Host Institution (HI) COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2013-StG
Summary Because fossil resources are a limited feedstock and their use results in the accumulation of atmospheric CO2, the organic chemistry industry will face important challenges in the next decades to find alternative feedstocks. New methods for the recycling of CO2 are therefore needed, to use CO2 as a carbon source for the production of organic chemicals. Yet, CO2 is difficult to transform and only 3 chemical processes recycling CO2 have been industrialized to date. To tackle this problem, my idea is to design novel catalytic transformations where CO2 is reacted, in a single step, with a functionalizing reagent and a reductant that can be independently modified, to produce a large spectrum of molecules. The proof of concept for this new “diagonal approach” has been established in 2012, in my team, with a new reaction able to co-recycle CO2 and a chemical waste of the silicones industry (PMHS) to convert amines to formamides. The goal of this proposal is to develop new diagonal reactions to enable the use of CO2 for the synthesis of amines, esters and amides, which are currently obtained from fossil materials. The novel catalytic reactions will be applied to the production of important molecules: methylamines, acrylamide and methyladipic acid. The methodology will rely on the development of molecular catalysts able to promote the reductive functionalization of CO2 in the presence of H2 or hydrosilanes. Rational design of efficient catalysts will be performed based on theoretical and experimental mechanistic investigations and utilized for the production of industrially important chemicals. Overall, this proposal will contribute to achieving sustainability in the chemical industry. The results will also increase our understanding of CO2 activation and provide invaluable insights into the basic modes of action of organocatalysts in reduction chemistry. They will serve the scientific community involved in the field of organocatalysis, green chemistry and energy storage.
Summary
Because fossil resources are a limited feedstock and their use results in the accumulation of atmospheric CO2, the organic chemistry industry will face important challenges in the next decades to find alternative feedstocks. New methods for the recycling of CO2 are therefore needed, to use CO2 as a carbon source for the production of organic chemicals. Yet, CO2 is difficult to transform and only 3 chemical processes recycling CO2 have been industrialized to date. To tackle this problem, my idea is to design novel catalytic transformations where CO2 is reacted, in a single step, with a functionalizing reagent and a reductant that can be independently modified, to produce a large spectrum of molecules. The proof of concept for this new “diagonal approach” has been established in 2012, in my team, with a new reaction able to co-recycle CO2 and a chemical waste of the silicones industry (PMHS) to convert amines to formamides. The goal of this proposal is to develop new diagonal reactions to enable the use of CO2 for the synthesis of amines, esters and amides, which are currently obtained from fossil materials. The novel catalytic reactions will be applied to the production of important molecules: methylamines, acrylamide and methyladipic acid. The methodology will rely on the development of molecular catalysts able to promote the reductive functionalization of CO2 in the presence of H2 or hydrosilanes. Rational design of efficient catalysts will be performed based on theoretical and experimental mechanistic investigations and utilized for the production of industrially important chemicals. Overall, this proposal will contribute to achieving sustainability in the chemical industry. The results will also increase our understanding of CO2 activation and provide invaluable insights into the basic modes of action of organocatalysts in reduction chemistry. They will serve the scientific community involved in the field of organocatalysis, green chemistry and energy storage.
Max ERC Funding
1 494 734 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-11-01, End date: 2018-10-31
Project acronym CONFINEDCHEM
Project Synthetic Confined Environments as Tools for Manipulating Chemical Reactivities and Preparing New Nanostructures
Researcher (PI) Rafal Klajn
Host Institution (HI) WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2013-StG
Summary "Nature has long inspired chemists with its abilities to stabilize ephemeral chemical species, to perform chemical reactions with unprecedented rates and selectivities, and to synthesize complex molecules and fascinating inorganic nanostructures. What natural systems consistently exploit - which is yet fundamentally different from how chemists perform reactions - is their aspect of nanoscale confinement. The goal of the proposed research program is to integrate the worlds of organic and inorganic colloidal chemistry by means of manipulating chemical reactivities and synthesizing novel molecules and nanostructures inside synthetic confined environments created using novel, unconventional approaches based on inorganic, nanostructured building blocks. The three types of confined spaces we propose are as follows: 1) nanopores within reversibly self-assembling colloidal crystals (""dynamic nanoflasks""), 2) cavities of bowl-shaped metallic nanoparticles (NPs), and 3) surfaces of spherical NPs. By taking advantage of these unique tools, we will attempt to develop, respectively, 1) a conceptually new method for catalyzing chemical reactions using light, 2) nanoscale inclusion chemistry (a field based on host-guest ""complexes"" assembled form nanosized components) and 3) to use NPs as platforms for the development of new organic reactions. While these objectives are predominantly of a fundamental nature, they can easily evolve into a variety of practical applications. Specifically, we will pursue diverse goals such as the preparation of 1) a new family of inverse opals (with potentially fascinating optical and mechanical properties), 2) artificial chaperones (NPs assisting in protein folding), and 3) size- and shape-controlled polymeric vesicles. Overall, it is believed that this marriage of organic and colloidal chemistry has the potential to change the fundamental way we perform chemical reactions, paving the way to the discovery of new phenomena and unique structures."
Summary
"Nature has long inspired chemists with its abilities to stabilize ephemeral chemical species, to perform chemical reactions with unprecedented rates and selectivities, and to synthesize complex molecules and fascinating inorganic nanostructures. What natural systems consistently exploit - which is yet fundamentally different from how chemists perform reactions - is their aspect of nanoscale confinement. The goal of the proposed research program is to integrate the worlds of organic and inorganic colloidal chemistry by means of manipulating chemical reactivities and synthesizing novel molecules and nanostructures inside synthetic confined environments created using novel, unconventional approaches based on inorganic, nanostructured building blocks. The three types of confined spaces we propose are as follows: 1) nanopores within reversibly self-assembling colloidal crystals (""dynamic nanoflasks""), 2) cavities of bowl-shaped metallic nanoparticles (NPs), and 3) surfaces of spherical NPs. By taking advantage of these unique tools, we will attempt to develop, respectively, 1) a conceptually new method for catalyzing chemical reactions using light, 2) nanoscale inclusion chemistry (a field based on host-guest ""complexes"" assembled form nanosized components) and 3) to use NPs as platforms for the development of new organic reactions. While these objectives are predominantly of a fundamental nature, they can easily evolve into a variety of practical applications. Specifically, we will pursue diverse goals such as the preparation of 1) a new family of inverse opals (with potentially fascinating optical and mechanical properties), 2) artificial chaperones (NPs assisting in protein folding), and 3) size- and shape-controlled polymeric vesicles. Overall, it is believed that this marriage of organic and colloidal chemistry has the potential to change the fundamental way we perform chemical reactions, paving the way to the discovery of new phenomena and unique structures."
Max ERC Funding
1 499 992 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-10-01, End date: 2018-09-30
Project acronym FarCatCH
Project Innovative Strategies for Unprecedented Remote C-H bond Functionalization by Catalysis
Researcher (PI) Tatiana BESSET
Host Institution (HI) CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2017-STG
Summary Over the last years, the landscape of the organic chemistry has been reshaped with impressive advances made in the transition metal-catalyzed carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond functionalization field. Indeed, the functionalization of building blocks that do not display a reactive functional group but only a simple C-H bond is attractive as it avoids time-consuming and expensive prefunctionalization steps and limits the generation of waste. However, as energies required to break C-H bonds are similar, the differentiation between two C-H bonds and the selective functionalization of only one of them remain a key challenge. Therefore, the available approaches are still unsatisfactory due to important limitations: low reactivity, limited scopes and selectivity issues. In this proposal, a general approach to functionalize a CH bond located at a Far position (from a functional group) by Catalysis (FarCatCH) will be implemented with a special focus on underexplored transformations, affording important sulfur-and fluorine-containing compounds. Herein, I will develop new synthetic approaches for the remote functionalization of molecules based on i) a substrate-selectivity control and ii) the design of new catalysts using supramolecular tools. I will then iii) address a longstanding reactivity issue in organic synthesis: the trifluoromethylation of aliphatic compounds and apply the supramolecular catalysts for a remote enantioselective transformation.
Designing a full set of tools as Swiss army knife for the selective functionalization at unconventional positions inaccessible so far, can considerably change the way organic molecules are made. These original technologies will offer new synthetic routes to access original sulfur- and fluorine-containing molecules, compounds of interest in drugs discovery, material sciences, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry.
Summary
Over the last years, the landscape of the organic chemistry has been reshaped with impressive advances made in the transition metal-catalyzed carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond functionalization field. Indeed, the functionalization of building blocks that do not display a reactive functional group but only a simple C-H bond is attractive as it avoids time-consuming and expensive prefunctionalization steps and limits the generation of waste. However, as energies required to break C-H bonds are similar, the differentiation between two C-H bonds and the selective functionalization of only one of them remain a key challenge. Therefore, the available approaches are still unsatisfactory due to important limitations: low reactivity, limited scopes and selectivity issues. In this proposal, a general approach to functionalize a CH bond located at a Far position (from a functional group) by Catalysis (FarCatCH) will be implemented with a special focus on underexplored transformations, affording important sulfur-and fluorine-containing compounds. Herein, I will develop new synthetic approaches for the remote functionalization of molecules based on i) a substrate-selectivity control and ii) the design of new catalysts using supramolecular tools. I will then iii) address a longstanding reactivity issue in organic synthesis: the trifluoromethylation of aliphatic compounds and apply the supramolecular catalysts for a remote enantioselective transformation.
Designing a full set of tools as Swiss army knife for the selective functionalization at unconventional positions inaccessible so far, can considerably change the way organic molecules are made. These original technologies will offer new synthetic routes to access original sulfur- and fluorine-containing molecules, compounds of interest in drugs discovery, material sciences, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry.
Max ERC Funding
1 497 996 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31
