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H2020Doctoral network2021–2025

PhotoReAct · Photocatalysis as a tool for synthetic organic chemistry

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2021-01-01 → 2025-06-30
EU contribution
€3,989,767
Participants
14
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Photocatalysis as a tool for synthetic organic chemistry

The chemicals industry consumes over 20% of global resources and contributes more than 20% of CO2 emissions. The Chemistry 4.0 and Industry 4.0 initiatives aim to improve efficiency through disruptive technologies and process intensification. PhotoReAct envisions reducing fossil fuel dependence and overall energy use by harnessing alternative energy sources. Specifically, it uses light energy as a reactant to produce fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other specialty chemicals; making the European chemicals industry more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced. PhotoReAct brings together leading European academic groups and industry partners in an interdisciplinary network. By training 15 highly skilled ESRs (Early-Stage Researchers) and fostering innovation, it supports SMEs and established companies in addressing these challenges. PhotoReAct set out to replace precious-metal photocatalysts with sustainable alternatives and turn them into reliable, scalable tools for synthesis. Across the action we delivered (i) new catalyst families (MR-TADF organophotocatalysts, Cu-CMA and related donor–acceptor systems) with mapped photophysics and proven PET/EnT utility; (ii) new photocatalytic transformations with defined scope, selectivity and mechanisms; (iii) enabling technologies for discovery and scale—automated flow, HTE/ML-guided optimization, solar-compatible setups, and continuous-flow scale-up (grams to kg-day-ready platforms); and (iv) industrial implementation, including automated library build, DEL-relevant chemistry, IP and external adoption. The consortium trained ESRs who produced peer-reviewed publications and continued into industry/academia. Collectively, the objectives were met: we established sustainable photocatalysis from molecule design to factory-ready operation, and created a practical pathway for future deployment beyond the project.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The use of visible light energy to induce chemical transformations constitutes a chemoselective and green activation mode of organic molecules. However, implementation of this energy source in organic synthetic methodologies and in the industrial production of fine chemicals has been challenging. The PhotoReAct Innovative Training Network establishes a training network with 10 beneficiaries from academia and 4 beneficiaries from industry to tackle the challenges associated with photocatalysis in a coherent and comprehensive fashion. In total 15 Early Stage Researchers will be trained within the PhotoReAct network. The network will provide them with opportunities to undertake research with the aim to overcome the current limitations towards the applicability and scalability of photochemical transformations. This will be achieved through rational design of novel photocatalysts, the development of new photocatalytic methodologies, improved reactor technology and direct industrial implementation of photocatalytic transformations. Furthermore, the ESRs will be trained in the PhotoReAct graduate school, acquiring scientific, personal and soft skills. All ESRs will perform three secondments, of which at least one is intersectoral and carried out with an industrial partner and a second is international. Consequently, the ESRs will have improved career prospects and a higher employability. Due to the high degree of industrial participation, the PhotoReAct network will provide an innovation-friendly environment where scientific results can grow and become products or services that will benefit European economies.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM · AmsterdamCoordinatorNetherlands
  • ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA DI BOLOGNA · BolognaItaly
  • CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS · ParisFrance
  • ECOSYNTH · DeinzeBelgium
  • INSTITUTE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES · WarszawaPoland
  • JANSSEN CILAG SA · MadridSpain
  • JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC · LONDONUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS · ST ANDREWSUnited Kingdom
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · ManchesterUnited Kingdom
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA · PaviaItaly
  • UNIVERSITAET LEIPZIG · LeipzigGermany
  • UNIVERSITAET MUENSTER · MuensterGermany
  • UNIVERSITAT ZURICH · ZurichSwitzerland
  • X CHEM KUTATAS FEJLESZTESI ZARTKORUEN MUKODO RESZVENYTARSASAG · BUDAPESTHungary

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union