Highly active N-heterocyclic carbene-functionalized metal nanoparticles for CO2 fixation

Climate change has become a major concern over the past decades. In this context, one of the biggest issues is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced every year around the globe. In response, researchers have discovered creative solutions to recycle CO2 via a process commonly known as CO2 fixation. More recently, the use of CO2 as a C1 feedstock for the N-methylation of amine groups using a hydrogen source has emerged as an attractive avenue. Typically, methylation chemistry requires the use of toxic methylating reagents such as methyl iodide, formaldehyde, formic acid derivatives or dimethyl carbonate. Besides, the abundance of CO2 as C1 feedstock makes great advances toward a greener and safer methylation chemistry. However, for this reaction to be efficient and profitable, the use of a catalyst is critical. Metallic nanoparticles, more specifically gold- and silver nanomaterials, have attracted significant interest in the past decade as active materials for catalyzing numerous well-known reactions such as Suzuki, Heck or Sonogashira coupling reactions. Herein, we aim to develop normal and mesoionic NHCs-stabilized AgNPs and AuNPs and investigate their catalytic activities toward N-methylation of amines using CO2 and a hydride source. We expect to get TOBECONT’.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ali Nazemi

Student:

Partner:

University of Central Florida

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Nanotechnology; Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

Université du Québec à Montréal

Program: