Catalysis

Thioamides are versatile tools that are used both as synthetic precursors to complex heterocyclic compounds, and also commercially due to their range of bioactive properties. These include antimicrobial, antioxidant and most notably antithyroid activities among others. Traditional synthesis of thioamides typically employ the use of smelly, multi-step protocols with poor atom economy and cumbersome clean-up. Furthermore, these protocols utilize harsh reaction conditions, long reaction times, limited scope and poor waste management.

Unsymmetrical ethers are generally synthesized via the Williamson ether method, but the unwanted formation of symmetrical ethers plus the basic and harsh conditions of the route pose a synthetic challenge. Other methods employed in the synthesis of unsymmetrical ether require the use of toxic mineral acids, and requires high catalyst loading which limits their large-scale application. Dehydration of alcohols in the presence of base-metal catalyst has, however, recently offered the greenest approach to synthesize unsymmetrical ethers, leaving water as by-product.

This study presents the synthesis and functionalization of urea-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), specifically TMU18, TMU19, with a focus on their application to carbon dioxide conversion. MOFs were synthesized using urea-based organic ligands and commercially available pillaring linkers. The frameworks were then functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), taking advantage of their structural flexibility for efficient integration.

This work focuses on the development of sustainable strategies for carbon capture and utilization (CCU), a key technology for mitigating global warming by using CO₂ as a renewable carbon source.

Here we explored the role of quaternary ammonium salts in enhancing CO₂ capture and activation with NaBH₄. The presence of these salts resulted in both shorter reaction times and improved efficiency.

The catalytic oxidation of olefins is a significant pathway for producing epoxides, essential building blocks used to fabricate pharmaceuticals, epoxy resins, paints, fragrances, and other industrial products. Achieving high selectivity, efficiency, and catalyst stability remains challenging in developing more efficient and sustainable chemical processes for these reactions.

The challenge of plastic waste management has intensified globally due to the non-biodegradable nature and fossil-based origin of most plastics. This research presented explores a novel approach to plastic upcycling through ideal catalytic cracking, with a focus on greener reaction conditions, such as supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) processing.

Bio-oils are an attractive source of energy with many advantages over the
use of fossil fuels. However, bio-oils present corrosiveness, high viscosity and
low heating value associated with their high oxygen content. Therefore, before
its application as a transport fuel, it needs to be improved. In this sense,
catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is one of the most promising biofuel
upgrading processes. However, conventional catalysts for HDO based on Co-
Mo and Ni-Mo (both sulfidated) or noble metals, still have certain

High levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have contributed negatively to climate change, global warming and ocean acidification. Therefore, here we provide a possible solution to help reduce these levels together with the production of CH4, a high-value chemical intended for energy purposes. The approach we utilize was invented by our group, making use of a metastable intermediate Hydrogen-bonded Metal-Organic Framework (HMOF) to synthesize, by dehydration, stable and functional phosphonate MOFs.