Cluster-based Catalysis for Organic Synthesis

Palestrante:  Prof. Dr. Francisco de Azambuja -Ku Leuven – Bélgica

Abstract:  Unlike conventional metal complexes, metallic clusters remain scarcely explored as catalysts in organic chemistry despite their vast abundance and well-studied structures. However, readily available and well-defined discrete metal oxo clusters are enticing option to develop novel synthetic methodologies merging homogeneous (reactivity control, facile design) and heterogeneous (robustness, efficiency, recyclability) catalysts’ strengths in one single catalyst. In this context, research in the group of Chemistry for Organic Reaction (COR) exploits the ability of earth-abundant metals to form discrete metal oxo clusters to develop novel robust catalysts able to deliver more sustainable transformations. These novel cluster-based catalysts typically dismiss the use of anhydrous solvents or inert atmosphere, and exhibit a remarkable tolerance to water. These attributes, largely unmatched by previous metal catalysts, point to discrete metal oxo clusters as a promising class of (recyclable) earth-abundant metal catalysts for organic chemistry, and offer fertile ground to develop sustainable reactions useful for medicinal, agrochemical and material chemists.

Francisco is an organic chemist interested in organic chemistry, catalysis and catalytic materials. Educated in Brazil (PhD 2015, UNICAMP), Germany and USA, in 2018 he moved to Belgium to develop novel reactions and metal-oxide based catalysts as alternatives to sensitive conventional transition metal catalysts. Since October/2023, he is an assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry of KU Leuven after receiving the BOF (Special Research Fund) Research Professorship from KU Leuven for the period 2023-2028. Francisco’s research centers in the rational design of novel catalysts based on metallic clusters of earth-abundant metals (e.g., Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti) due to their abundance, sustainability potential, and low cost for the development of novel organic reactions.

Prof. Responsável:  Carlos Roque Duarte Correia