Bifunctional Boron Catalysts and Receptors

The efficient activation and conversion of small-molecules into valuable liquid chemicals is an important challenge in modern science. Impressive catalytic transformations of H2, CO2 and other greenhouse gases have been recently achieved by using bifunctional catalysts constituted of a sterically hindered Lewis acid and base.
In this project, I will start by producing new types of robust and powerful boron Lewis acids and by determining their strength (Lewis acidity) by different methods. Then I will connect a bulky Lewis base to them by using various types of linkers in order to produce tailored-made Lewis acid/base bifunctional compounds. Their structures and stereoelectronic properties will be finely tuned, which will open perspectives in catalysis (C–H and C-X bonds activation, small-molecules activation, conversion of gases in liquids) and in materials science (molecular recognition of Lewis bases, detection of anions…)
A fundamental understanding of the factors controlling the cooperative effects of the Lewis acid and base in these bifunctional systems will be gained by employing advanced chemical, physical, and computational methods, and will allow further structural improvements and reaction condition optimisations.