Selective catalytic isomerization and hydrogenation of polyunsaturated molecules

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Chemical manufacturing is an important part of Canada's economy. The development of improved methods for the preparation of fine chemicals provides a competitive advantage while increasing sustainability. The goal of this research project is to develop new chemical processes and to understand to how small molecule feedstocks can be converted into high value products by transition metal catalysis. This proposal directly continues a successful collaboration supported by BASF/NSERC in 2020-2021. This project seeks to find methods to convert feedstock alkene-containing molecules into new products by isomerization. Metal-based catalysts will be used to rearrange low-value precursors into higher value targets. As the target molecules are of modest chemical stability, tailored catalysts and reaction conditions will be developmed to deliver products in high chemical yield and purity while using low loadings of metal catalyst. A related objective of the project involves the selective hydrogenation of one alkene unit in polyunsaturated substrates. An understanding of the underlying mechanisms and catalyst behaviour will also provide the partner organization with generalizable concepts that can be applied to the improved synthesis of other structurally related targets.