Axis I

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Design and synthesis of elementary molecular building blocks

This research axis is based on the fundamentals of synthetic chemistry, setting the basis for the research developed in the other axes of HiFunMat. In this sense, the main topics of this axis are the innovative preparation methods of functional molecules via developments in catalysis, metal-free processes, organometallic chemistry, photocatalysis, supported systems and enzymatic processes. The growth of catalytic methods, such as homogeneous, heterogeneous, asymmetric and multi-catalytic, is one of our main research areas. The development of new reactions and synthetic methods is a fundamental part of the axis as well. The synthesis of functional molecules and materials is attempted through redox chemistry, radical reactions, photo and electro-chemistry and sustainable chemistry methods. Within the development of synthetic methods, heterochemistry plays a central role with research projects in fluorine, lithium, boron, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry among other heteroatoms. Additionally, the control of chirality through synthesis is a well explored topic, which finds applications in catalysis, medicinal chemistry and energy-related technologies. The synthesis of elementary building blocks also comprises the synthesis of hybrid structures, such as metallic nanoparticles, supported catalysts and carbon-based materials. Finally, the fundamental building blocks are taken to a superior level providing them with specific functionalities to achieve tailored properties. This way, hydrogen-bonded materials and conjugated polymers have been designed to attain specific organization and electronic properties, metallopolymers with self-healing ability have been synthesized and stimuli-responsive materials are being explored.

Subtheme 1 : Methods development in organic synthesis

Development of new catalysts and catalytic methods
Development of new reactions and synthetic methods
Heterochemistry
Control of chirality

Synthetic chemistry in all its variations is approached in this sub-axis, including catalyst developments, finding metal-free processes, organometallic chemistry, photocatalysis, supported systems and enzymatic processes. The growth of catalytic methods, such as homogeneous, heterogeneous, asymmetric and multi-catalytic processes, is one of the main topics. Other teams of ITI HiFunMat work on developing new reactions and synthetic methods, comprising redox chemistry reactions, radical reactions, photo and electrochemistry and sustainable chemistry methods. Heterochemistry can be highlighted since a lot of progress is being done by several research teams on fluorine, boron, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry among other heteroatoms. Within this sub-axis, the control of chirality is being widely explored from a synthetic point of view, but also keeping in mind the multiple applications and special properties of chiral molecules and structures. In this sense, medicinal chemistry, organic electronics and catalysis are the main research fields involved.

Subtheme 2 : Synthesis of hybrid structures

Preparation of hybrid organic materials
Organometallic (macro)molecules
Metallic nanoparticles embedded in carbon materials
Supported catalysts

The synthesis of elementary building blocks also comprises the synthesis of hybrid structures, such as metallic nanoparticles based on nickel and iron that are used for inductive heating catalysis, carbon-based materials containing palladium nanoparticles, organometallic macromolecules, hybrid organic materials and supported catalysts on polymers.

Subtheme 3. Synthesis of functional (macro)molecules

Molecules and polymers with specific functionalities (redox, hydrogen-bond, carbohydrates and glycomimetics…)
Molecules and polymers for tailored properties (stimuli-responsive, self-assembling, organization, optical, electronic...)
Light responsive molecules (functional fluorophores, constrained zwitterionic molecules, photoinitiators…)

The properties and functions of molecules and macromolecules can be programmed by design of the elementary building blocks. In this sense, carbohydrates and glycomimetic materials with specific biological functions are being explored, p-conjugated molecules and polymers with highly-organized structures have been designed, resulting in materials with superior optoelectronic properties. Metallopolymers with self-healing ability and responsive to light have been synthesized and still other teams of this axis are working on stimuli-responsive materials.