Catalytic alkoxycarbonylation reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons with CO2 (WP1)
Host institution: Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), Germany
Deadline for application: 1st April 2020
3 PhD year position. Expected start date: Mid 2020.
Remember to read the eligibility criteria here.
Objectives:
- Synthesis of Co- and Fe-phosphine complexes
- Evaluation of the catalytic activity of these complexes in the reforming process of MeOH and CO2
- Testing of active systems in the benchmark reaction of CO2 with biomass-derived reagents ethylene and MeOH
- Optimization of reaction conditions for the benchmark reactions and catalytic carboxylations of other olefins
- Development of scalable processes and evaluation of industrial viability of the process (at EV)
- Training of elements of computational chemistry to gain knowledge on the alkoxycarbonylation mechanism (at EV)
- Evaluation of the potential of catalysts obtained from partners for the benchmark process
Expected Results:
- Catalytic system that allows for directly adding carbon dioxide to olefins
- Mechanistic insights into CO2-based alkoxycarbonylations
- Process for MMA (methyl methacrylate) synthesis based on carbon dioxide
Planned secondment(s):
- AU to Prof. Skrydstrup (3 months): Learn methodologies for preparing labelled compounds (with ESR9).
- Industrial secondment to EV with Prof. Franke (3 months): Develop a scalable process and train elements of computational chemistry.
Enrolment in Doctoral degree(s): Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (LIKAT), Germany
Principal Supervisor: Prof. Matthias Beller (LIKAT)
Questions? Write to us at co2perate@uit.no.