The project is organized in seven work packages, four of which (WP2-WP5) deal with scientific and training aspects.
Work Package 1 (WP1)
Project management. Lead beneficiary: University of Torino
Work Package 2 (WP2)
Ethics. Lead beneficiary: University of Antwerp
- scientific integrity
- ethical and social dimension of natural sciences
- ethical and social dimension outreach and communication to a general public
Work Package 3 (WP3)
Small Molecules Activation incl. C-C cross coupling Lead beneficiary: Cardiff University
Development and characterization of new catalysts based on earth abundant elements (1st row transition-metal (TM) ions) for the activation of small molecules and C-C cross coupling
- Homogeneous Fe, Co, Ni and Cu complexes with carbene and phosphine ligands to examine the role of the low valent ions in the Negishi and Kumada couplings
- Porous solids with large surface areas such as zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with exposed TMI sites (e.g. Cu2+) to explore CO2 and CH4 activations
- Mechanistic insight in the working of heme peroxidases for the development of peroxidase-based biocatalysts
Work Package 4 (WP4)
Olefin Polymerization. Lead beneficiary University of Leipzig
New direct insight into the elusive active paramagnetic species of polymerization catalysts and their role in the microscopic reversibility of the olefin polymerization process.
- Exploring Ziegler-Natta catalyst activation (role of activator, nature of the metal-alkyl bond) and the role of coordinated Lewis bases, used to promote the catalyst stereo-selectivity.
- Synthesis and characterization of Cr-based systems for olefin polymerization with the aim of identifying the electronic and geometric structure of the active species.
Work Package 5 (WP5)
Selective aerobic oxidations – Lead beneficiary: University of Zaragoza
Understanding of transition metals and free radical reactions in selective aerobic oxidations – learning from nature
- Understanding the reaction mechanism of cytochrome P450 enzymes to tailor bio-inspired catalysts for synthetic or detoxification applications.
- Gaining mechanistic insight in oxidation reactions (such as benzylic oxidation reactions) with a variety of TM catalysts, ranging from simple copper and iron salts to organo-metal complexes.
Work Package 6 (WP6)
Recruitment and training. Lead benficiary: University of Antwerp
Work Package 7 (WP7)
Data management dissemination and outreach. Lead beneficiary: University of Torino