Two-temperatures heterogeneous Tandem Catalysis – TomCat

Tandem catalysis is a key element in the development of more sustainable processes in many areas, including biomass upgrading. Indeed, thanks to tandem catalysis, an organic synthesis can be achieved in a single step by the synergistic use of a combination of catalysts. In this way, complex molecules can be synthesised quickly and efficiently from simple starting materials, saving atoms and simplifying the whole reaction procedure.
Tandem catalysis has been a growing area of research in recent years, but its development is currently slowing down. Indeed, although it is an elegant and attractive concept on paper, its implementation is, in many cases, hampered by practical difficulties. One of these, which to date remains unresolved, is how to optimise a tandem process that requires (or could be improved by) two catalysts working at two different temperatures. This is the problem we propose to address in the TomCat project. To do this, we will use the hyperthermal properties of magnetic particles and, more specifically, the differences in SAR (Specific Absorption Rate, i.e. the heating power) of particles that differ either in size or in composition, thus generating a system with particles having different surface temperatures. In order to establish an important example of antagonistic tandem catalysis, these magnetic cores will be supported on silica and/or carbon supports, which will be functionalized with catalytic groups, either acidic or basic, for applications in acid & base tandem catalysis in the field of biomass upgrading.
This project is built on the expertise of two laboratories: the Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, which has well-established skills in the preparation of multifunctional catalysts with complex architecture, and the Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-Objets, which has recognised expertise in the synthesis of colloidal particles and the evaluation and use of the magnetic properties of nanoparticles.