Funded by the European Social Fund and by the „Sächsische Aufbaubank“ young scientists from four research groups are trained interdisciplinarily on the promising technology field „Heterogeneously Catalysed Synthetic Processes in Flow Systems" (translated title) throughout their doctorates gaining higher qualification levels for the Saxon labour market. These measures are designed to support an efficient and direct knowledge transfer from university to industry in Saxony.

Heterogeneously Catalysed Synthetic Processes in Flow Systems

(01 Jan. 2020 – 31 Dec. 2022)

Funded by the European Social Fund and by the Sächsische AufbauBank the general goal of the titled research project is to develop new processes for the stereoselective synthesis of fine chemicals in order to improve economical efficiency and environmental friendliness of current procedures. Pharmaceuticals, crop protection agents, fragrances, and dyes are essential as prominent fine chemicals for the daily life and are among the most important interim products in the chemical industry and in the life science industries. It is planned to develop new chiral catalysts immobilized on well-defined carrier materials for the application in continuous flow reactions. Such setup allows an efficient and instant control of reaction parameters such as flow rate, mixing times, and heat transfer. Moreover, the envisioned application of on-line monitoring of reaction progress by distinct spectroscopic methods enables improvements on reaction times, yields and turn-over capability of the catalysts. Furthermore, the usually expensive and time consuming separation of the product from the catalyst can be easily avoided. The implementation of such processes to micro reactors gives access to all benefits known from Lab-on-a-chip setups and allows the fast optimization of reaction parameters, the on-line monitoring of reaction progress by analytical standard techniques, and the on-line characterization of transient reaction intermediates characterized by its minimal use of energy, water, and chemicals. The long-term goal for this research investigation is to provide a significant contribution for a sustainable, up-to-date, and resource-saving production of fine chemicals.

Presentation of the Project Areas

enlarge the image: The image shows a heterogeneously-bound chiral BINOL-based phosphoric acid utilizable for flow synthesis.
Heterogeneously-bound chiral catalyst in flow systems. Image: Marcel Sickert

In this project field the immobilization of chiral BINOL-based phosphoric acids on well-defined carrier materials is planned for the application in flow reactors enabling the continuous synthesis of large amounts of highly complex, enantiomerically-enriched oxygen- and/or nitrogen-containing heterocycles. We expect from such processes fast reaction optimizations, short reaction times, improved yields, better reproducibility and scalabilities of the reactions, simplified separation steps, and high levels of reusability of the catalysts.

Schneider Group

Prof. Dr. Christoph Schneider

Prof. Dr. Christoph Schneider

Professor and Speaker of the Junior Research Group

Organische Chemie/ Heterocyclenchemie
Johannisallee 29, Room 157
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-36559
Fax: +49 341 97-36599

enlarge the image: The image shows a model of micro-reactor connected to MS-analyzer
Lab-on-a-Chip. Image: Rico Warias

In this project field a miniaturized analysis system is planned for the investigation of heterogeneously catalysed reactions in microfluidic systems combining high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). By following the lab-on-a-chip concept the integration of one or more micro reactors packed with immobilized chiral catalysts together with the installation of pressure-driven chromatographic purification units and interfaces for mass spectrometry measurements should realize the envisioned seamless connection of reaction performance, purification, and analysis steps combined in just one unit.

Belder Group

Prof. Dr. Detlev Belder

Prof. Dr. Detlev Belder

Professor

Konzentrationsanalytik
Hauptgebäude Chemie
Johannisallee 29, Room 1-265
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-36091
Fax: +49 341 97-36115

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Hannes Westphal

Konzentrationsanalytik
Johannisallee 29
04103 Leipzig

enlarge the image: Sol-Gel synthesis and pseudomorphic transformation
Sol-Gel synthesis and pseudomorphic transformation. Image: Markus Gebauer

In this project field the synthesis of monolithic carrier systems based on silica materials with hierarchical structure of mesopores is planned. By utilizing the ability to control both pore sizes, shape, and size of monolith independently the performance of heterogeneously-bound chiral organocatalysts can be easily modified and enables custom-fit adjustments on the planned process as well as the implementation on macro and micro fluidic systems. The application of the immobilized catalysts in enantioselective reactions under continuous flow conditions should give information about the influence of mesoporous systems on activity, selectivity, and stability of the catalysts.            .

Gläser Group

Prof. Dr. Roger Gläser

Prof. Dr. Roger Gläser

Professor

Heterogene Katalyse
Linnéstraße 3, Room 509
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-36301
Fax: +49 341 97-36349

enlarge the image: Das Bild zeigt dasThe image shows a model of the IRPD instrument and the working principle utilizing quadrupole analyzer, ion trap, and MS-TOF.
IRPD-Model, Image: Sonja Schmahl

In this project field the on-line monitoring and enantiospecific determination of transient reaction intermediates formed under micro fluidic conditions is planned utilizing mass spectrometric and laser spectroscopic methods. Moreover, structural characterization will be completed with the help of quantum-chemical computational methods and should give important insights in reaction mechanisms supporting the systematic optimization of the catalyst design.

Asmis Group

Prof. Dr. Knut R. Asmis

Prof. Dr. Knut R. Asmis

Professor

Physikalische Chemie - kondensierte inhomogene Materie
Linnéstraße 3, Room 436
04103 Leipzig

Phone: +49 341 97-36421
Fax: +49 341 97-36399

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Sonja Schmahl

Physikalische Chemie - kondensierte inhomogene Materie
Linnéstraße 3, Room 422
04103 Leipzig

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