Homogeneous/heterogeneous approach to catalysis using nanoparticles

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The main goal of our research programme is to design new catalysts for efficient synthesis with minimal environmental impact. Catalysis is now almost universally used in chemical and petrochemical processes. Catalysis has also quickly assumed a central place in Green Chemistry because of its benefits: lower energy consumption, lesser quantities of starting materials, lesser use of toxic materials, higher yield of the desired product, and decreased use of deleterious solvents. We will seek those goals by working at the interface between nanoparticle science and coordination chemistry to provide new catalytic systems. With this approach, we take advantage of the versatile and well-explored properties of metal ligands as they are used in coordination chemistry to modify, enhance and probe catalytic activity of metal nanoparticles. Firstly, we will investigate the structure/activity relationships in metal nanoparticles, emphasising the impact of the electronic properties of the ligands protecting the metallic core and of the surrounding environment. We will synthezise a library of metal nanoparticles (Au, Rh, Pd, ...) with a variety of different ligands such as thiols, phosphines, phosphites or amines. This library will be use to assess the structure/reactivity dependence of catalytic processes. Hydroformylation and alkyne activation will be among our major goals. We will also investigate the potential of ionic liquids as a solvent for catalysis with nanoparticles, with the aim to enhance reactivity and allow tandem reactions. Secondly, we will use promising catalysts to effect important transfer hydrogenation reactions, especially on C=C and triple bonds.