PhD Defence Christian A.M.R. van Slagmaat

Keywords: Biobased organic chemistry, Hydrogenation, Metal-assisted catalysis, Sustainability
 

"Strategic Metal-catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions for the Selective and Sustainable Synthesis of Renewable Cyclic Molecular Building Blocks"

"Efficient bio-based molecule conversion for sustainable plastics"

Christian van Slagmaat explored how to convert bio-based molecules such as levulinic acid and furfural into valuable chemical products. The obtained products therefrom typically have a cyclic structure and can serve as unique building blocks for creating new plastics. The conversion process occurs through catalytic hydrogenation, preferably using hydrogen gas in pressurized reactors.

Thanks to carefully selected metal-based catalysts, Christian developed efficient and sustainable solutions. A specific, iron based class of homogeneous catalysts delivers excellent results with high chemical selectivity towards the desired products. However, one challenge remains: controlling the stereo-selectivity, which concerns the left- and right-handed formation of the products.

The bio-based products created through these catalytic techniques were successfully used in the production of new polyurethane plastics.

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