Well-Defined Silica-Supported Titanium Catalysts for Introducing Nitrogen Functional Groups

Nitrogen is a key component in many molecules used as medicines, materials and fertilisers. Adding nitrogen into molecules is currently inefficient and expensive: it requires multiple steps and creates a lot of waste. Alternatively, it is possible to introduce nitrogen by processes called hydroamination and hydroaminoalkylation. These reactions are 100% atom efficient (all of the atoms put into the reaction are used in the products), so no waste is made. Current state-of-the-art methods for hydroamination and hydroaminoalkylation require a catalyst to make the reaction happen but the catalyst is difficult to separate from the products of the reaction. This makes purification of the products too expensive for large scale industrial processes. It is also very difficult to reuse the catalyst. In this project, we will trap the catalysts onto surfaces, which will enhance their performance in reactions and make it easier to separate and reuse the catalyst, as the product can be washed off and the catalyst reused. This technology will enable the efficient and sustainable production of nitrogen containing molecules in industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Laurel L Schafer

Student:

Partner:

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Achieving Net Zero; Clean Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: