Shedding Light on Low-Valent Chromium Organometallics

The chemical sector plays a vital role in Europe's economy, supporting more than 1.2 million jobs and a 15% share of the global chemical market. In this sector, catalysts are integral to the production of most chemicals, often relying on the rarest metals from the Earth's crust, such as rhodium, palladium, or platinum. Due to their cost and environmental impact, chemists are urged to exploit and develop catalysts based on more abundant and sustainable elements, such as 3d metals.

In addition, the merger of such elements with visible-light-induced processes promises new reactivity avenues to develop a unique catalytic toolbox, thus challenging the dominance of precious metals in important chemical transformations.

In this context, the researcher will explore the (photo)organometallic chemistry of well-defined low-valent chromium (Cr) coordination complexes. Albeit their low toxicity and huge potential, exemplified by their widespread application in polymerisation and nitrogen fixation reactions, such species remain underexplored in the realm of organometallic redox catalysis.

Indeed, the field is still in its infancy and faces limitations that result in processes that are far from being truly sustainable. Through the application of a bottom-up approach and their experience in ligand design, the researcher will unveil key mechanistic aspects to fully understand how to promote predictable two-electron events in low-valent Cr centres using light as energy source.

This approach aims to mimic precious metals in catalysis while achieving transformations beyond their scope, which will lead to a tremendous reduction of environmental and economical production costs, impacting the lives of everyone.

Furthermore, this action encompasses detailed training and dissemination plans. Through these bespoke plans, the researcher will cultivate a set of essential leadership, management, and communication skills that will prove instrumental in her future career endeavours.