Nitrous Oxide Valorization via Heterobimetallic Frustrated Lewis Pairs

• Applicant: Dr. Robin Sievers
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 581395070

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas with an atmospheric lifetime of over a century and a global warming potential nearly 300 times greater than CO2. Despite the thermodynamically favoured conversion into environmentally benign N2 upon oxygen-atom donation, its kinetic inertness has so far limited exploitation as a sustainable oxidant. Current efforts for N2O activation rely on heterogeneous catalysts under harsh conditions or monometallic homogeneous systems of limited efficiency, leaving an urgent need for novel strategies. Nature already demonstrates the power of cooperative multimetallic synergism by copper-based nitrous oxide reductase. Encouraged by this, NOVA-FLP aims to introduce a conceptually innovative approach for N2O activation: Cu-based heterobimetallic Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) based on two transition metals. Herein, Lewis acidic Cu(I) fragments with bulky and fluorinated terphenyl- and biphenylphosphines, in combination with metallic Lewis bases of earth-abundant metals (Fe or Ni), will serve as ideal cooperative designs for the push-pull activation of N2O. The strongly polarized and unprecedented Cu-FLP systems will overcome the kinetic barriers of N2O activation and unlock catalytic turnover by tuning copper oxophilicity. Stoichiometric studies will provide mechanistic insights into elusive key intermediates, while catalytic applications will target both the reductive degradation of N2O and its valorization as an oxygen-atom transfer reagent for C–O bond formation, with particular emphasis on the challenging conversion of benzene into phenol. By merging the tunability of FLPs with the cooperative power of bimetallics, this project aims not only to mitigate N2O emissions but also to reimagine it as a key reagent in green oxidation chemistry. The anticipated breakthroughs will redefine the role of N2O from an environmental burden to a valuable driver of sustainable catalysis.

• DFG Programme: Fellowship
• International Connection: Spain
• Host: Dr. Jesús Campos