Project Details
Projekt
Optimization of earth-abundant metal-catalyzed oxidation reactions relevant for the synthesis of amino acids
Applicant
Professorin Dr. Nora Kulak
Subject Area
Technical Chemistry
Term
since 2023
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501735683
Although oxidation is an indispensable tool for functionalization of organic molecules, there is a surprisingly low number of such reactions actually applied in industry due to safety issues and the generation of problematic waste. Oxidants are usually applied in super-stoichiometric amounts and under very harsh conditions (e.g. the chromium-containing Jones reagent). According to the German Catalysis Society (GeCatS, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Katalyse), catalytic oxidation reactions are thus key technologies in the chemical industry, and have great potential for optimization. Within the Research Unit “Multistep Catalytic Production Systems for Fine Chemistry by Integrated Molecular, Material and Process Design (IMPD4Cat)”, we will optimize catalytic oxidation reactions within synthesis pathways for amino acids. Oxidation catalysis will be a complementary approach next to homogeneous catalysis with precious metals applied for the synthesis of precursors (SP1) and biocatalysis (SP3) applied within the ultimate step leading to amino acids. In the focus of this subproject, SP2, lies the optimization of the oxidation of alpha-hydroxy ketones (products from homogenous catalysis derived from styrene and 1-octene) to alpha-keto acids (starting materials for biocatalysis). Against the above-described background for oxidation reactions, “greener” or “more sustainable” oxidants are of utmost importance. Following a holistic approach, not only the nature of the oxidant, but also several other factors are suggested to be optimized by screening within this subproject: atom efficiency of the oxidant, water as solvent, low energy consumption, neutral pH, non-toxic reagents, metal in catalytic amounts, no waste, and catalyst recycling. As a very important feature, catalysts will be based on earth-abundant metals, not precious metals, and their simple salts, not sophisticated complexes with (potentially oxidizable) ligand scaffolds. An initial screening phase will be followed by a scale-up for preparation of the desired alpha-keto acids, and investigations about kinetics (collaboration with SP5) and potential reaction mechanisms. Furthermore, optimization implies membrane technologies for separation and recycling (collaboration with SP4) as well as computational approaches (collaboration with SP6).
DFG Programme
Research Units
