Biobased Organic Chemistry
We do fundamental research in organic chemistry using molecules and material that nature provides, the biobased building blocks. Our overall mission is to deliver clean, atom-and step-efficient one-pot syntheses for sustainable production of molecular diverse and structurally complex organic molecules tailored towards higher added-value in materials, medicines and catalysts.
Research
To allow the synthesis of molecules with supreme complexity and with a plethora of specific functions, nature has evolved its synthetic tools over billions of years with high levels of efficiency and elegance. Our research is inspired by nature’s approach but takes a next step finding efficient synthetic methodologies and strategies that out-perform processes in biology while taking advantage from the broad range of functionalities available in biobased building blocks.
To achieve our mission we focus on cascade syntheses, sustainable catalysis and multicomponent reactions. The robust cascade sequences are based on in-house MCRs using diversity and biology oriented design strategies. Rapid complexity generation and advanced scaffold diversification are combined with sustainable catalysis addressing selectivity, efficiency and potential scale-up.
This is elaborated in the following research lines:
- Design, develop, and explore one-pot cascade syntheses based on state-of-the art multicomponent reaction chemistry using bio-based building blocks as feedstock
- Develop chemo-, regio- and stereoselective procedures using sustainable resource efficient base-metal-, organo- or bio-catalytic systems
- Employ biobased isocyanides as versatile C1-building building blocks in cross-coupling chemistry
- Develop a biomimetic templated N-to-C synthesis of peptides and proteins
Projects
Top-down covalent adaptable and circular epoxy networks
This project pioneers a completely new approach to make widely available epoxy-amine networks (e.g. windmill blades) recyclable, while they are normally not recyclable.
Wood to Wheels
Bringing Biomass and 1,3 butadiene in flow-chemistry.
Alternative Peptide Synthesis Technologies
Peptides and proteins are essential for life and are the foundation for many research fields. Scientists are often interested in protein functions, e.g. to improve the activity of proteins or to understand their mode of action.
Circular Cultivation and Chemistry
In this program, we try to realize new ways to generate income and improve value chains that contribute to a circular economy, sustainable production and consumption, and healthy food - focusing on mission-driven innovations
SusIsocyanide
The overarching goal of this proposal is to design new methods employing photo flow reactors for the synthesis of isocyanides at larger scale using bio-based scaffolds and visible light as sustainable energy resource.
