Light-driven Catalytic Processes for the Stereoselective Functionalisation of C(sp3)-H Bonds

One pressing challenge is to develop new sustainable processes to convert abundant chemicals into added-value chiral products, thus using natural resources responsibly.

The LIGHT-HAT project seeks to provide solutions by developing innovative stereoselective transformations that use abundant substrates, including feedstock and naturally occurring molecules.

We will achieve this goal by combining advanced concepts of asymmetric catalysis, such as metal-based cross coupling and organocatalysis, with photochemistry.

Specifically, we will directly functionalise carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds (the most abundant moiety in organic molecules) to enable one-step access to complex chiral molecules from readily available C-H substrates, including alkanes and natural products.

To achieve this, we will use light-activated catalysts that, via Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) mechanisms, can selectively activate strong unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds at sites that are unreactive for traditional methods.

The project will benefit from a collaboration with Bayer AG, which will aid in identifying suitable biologically-relevant C-H substrates to be employed in the developed processes.The planned research combines perfectly the fellow’s experience in metal catalysis and radical chemistry with the host’s experience in light-triggered asymmetric processes.

LIGHT-HAT brings a new industrial collaboration to the host institution and transfers knowledge of advanced techniques in asymmetric organocatalysis and photochemistry to the candidate”, contributing to sustainability and European excellence. An ambitious training program will transfer several new scientific and soft skills to the applicant.

The project’s intersectorial nature will broaden the fellow’s competencies and place him in a competitive position for his next career move.