CatToSat · Transition Metal Catalysis Towards Saturation in Organic Molecules through Alkyl Radical Chemistry

Transition Metal Catalysis Towards Saturation in Organic Molecules through Alkyl Radical Chemistry

This project aims to develop useful chemical reactions using electrochemistry and alternating current as the primary driving force. Electrochemical oxidation of ubiquitous carboxylic acids can transform them into olefins, which have wide-ranging applications in various fields, including synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. The removal of a carboxyl group from a carboxylic acid to create an olefin is underdeveloped, and this process is a convenient tool for installing an alkene when the carboxylic acid is readily available, providing an alternative disconnection for retrosynthetic analysis. Another area of interest is the electrochemical reduction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to transform them into innocuous byproducts and useful commodity chemicals. POPs are halogenated organic molecules that were produced on a megaton scale during the 20th century as crop protection agents and flame retardants. Long-term exposure to these chemicals leads to adverse health effects, including serious illnesses such as cancer and death. Unfortunately, POP-contaminated soils and waters have been abandoned and neglected worldwide, eventually leaching into the environment and causing harm when they enter the food chain. Due to their persistent nature, characterized by high stability, low chemical reactivity, and low solubility in water, POPs have been banned globally. However, there is currently no clear solution for their disposal.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз