Reprogramming the reactivity of main-group compounds for capturing and activating methane and dinitrogen

Introduction

The activation of chemical bonds is fundamental to every chemical transformation. While reactions mediated by transition-metal catalysts have been known for more than a century, the last decade has witnessed spectacular developments in the emerging area of catalysis mediated by non-metallic species.

New Chemical Entities

Among these new chemical entities made from earth-abundant and inexpensive main-group elements, Lewis acid-base pairs and bifunctional element/ligand systems mimicking the behavior of transition metals have rapidly revolutionized the activation modes of chemical bonds.

Project Overview

In the project B-yond, I will establish new molecular engineering strategies and develop unprecedented main-group catalysts embedded in cage-shaped and curved molecular scaffolds. Ground-breaking molecules that escape established structural theories will become the initial focus of my project, including:

1. The creation of non-planar B, Al, C, and Si centered Lewis superacids with unmatched reactivities.
2. Pushing the frontiers of knowledge of chemical bonding by exploring unusual boron-elements bonding situations.
3. Advancing the design of main-group catalysts beyond the state-of-the-art.

Functionalization Processes

Unprecedented C-H bond functionalization processes will be developed and exploited for hydrocarbon transformation through the concept of low reorganization energy catalysts. The activation of dinitrogen with unique main-group superacids and bases will finally be tackled, representing a pioneering step toward the uncharted territory of catalytic N2 activation and conversion without transition-metal complexes.

Methodology

These goals will be accomplished through a multidisciplinary approach built on my expertise in:

• Mechanistic investigations
• Spectroscopic and kinetics methods
• Organometallic and main group chemistry

Conclusion

The project B-yond will deliver extraordinary solutions for chemists to reach new chemical reactivities beyond the current limits and will inspire scientists to develop innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective chemical processes.