Sustainable Synthetic Methodologies in Homogeneous Catalysis
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course introduces homogeneous catalytic methodologies as greener alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis. It explores key topics including fundamental principles of homogeneous catalysis, incorporating elements from organometallic chemistry, while also highlighting industrially relevant applications.
More specifically the aim of the course is:
- To introduce students to the principle of green chemistry and sustainability.
- To introduce students to the principles of homogeneous catalysis and its significance in sustainable chemical synthesis.
- To explore various types of homogeneous catalysts, including non-noble metal catalysts, and their applications in organic transformations.
- To analyze the key factors influencing the sustainability of synthetic methodologies in homogeneous catalysis, including the use of alternative solvents, catalyst recovery methods and energy sources.
- To investigate emerging trends and advancements in the field, such as biphasic catalysis, use of abundant metals, use of renewable feedstock and their importance in industrial chemistry.
- To equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for designing sustainable synthetic routes using homogeneous catalysis.
More specifically the aim of the course is:
- To introduce students to the principle of green chemistry and sustainability.
- To introduce students to the principles of homogeneous catalysis and its significance in sustainable chemical synthesis.
- To explore various types of homogeneous catalysts, including non-noble metal catalysts, and their applications in organic transformations.
- To analyze the key factors influencing the sustainability of synthetic methodologies in homogeneous catalysis, including the use of alternative solvents, catalyst recovery methods and energy sources.
- To investigate emerging trends and advancements in the field, such as biphasic catalysis, use of abundant metals, use of renewable feedstock and their importance in industrial chemistry.
- To equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for designing sustainable synthetic routes using homogeneous catalysis.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Understand the fundamental concepts of green chemistry and the role of catalysis in the development of sustainable synthetic processes.
2. Describe the fundamental concepts of homogeneous catalysis and its role in sustainable synthesis, including the use of non-noble metal catalysts.
3. Identify different classes of homogeneous catalysts, alternative solvents, advanced catalyst separation techniques and energy sources and evaluate their applications in specific organic transformations.
4. Evaluate the environmental impact of homogeneous catalysis in synthetic methodologies based on factors such as atom economy, selectivity, activity.
5. Critically analyze research articles and case studies related to sustainable synthetic methodologies in homogeneous catalysis, biphasic catalysis, and the importance of these techniques in industrial chemistry.
2. Describe the fundamental concepts of homogeneous catalysis and its role in sustainable synthesis, including the use of non-noble metal catalysts.
3. Identify different classes of homogeneous catalysts, alternative solvents, advanced catalyst separation techniques and energy sources and evaluate their applications in specific organic transformations.
4. Evaluate the environmental impact of homogeneous catalysis in synthetic methodologies based on factors such as atom economy, selectivity, activity.
5. Critically analyze research articles and case studies related to sustainable synthetic methodologies in homogeneous catalysis, biphasic catalysis, and the importance of these techniques in industrial chemistry.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
· Fundamental concept of green and sustainable chemistry
· Introduction to homogeneous catalysis
· General aspects of homogeneous catalysts with transition-metal compounds (Characteristics of transition-metal based catalysts. Ligands and catalyst design. Bonding in coordination and organometallic compounds)
· Overview of homogenously catalyzed reaction (hydrogeneations, isomerizations, carbonylations, hydroformylations, oligomerizations, polymerizations, oxidations, metathesis and C-H functionalizations).
· Non-noble transition-metals in homogenous catalysis.
· Transition-metal homogeneous catalysis in renewable raw materials transformations (CO2, biomasses).
· Alternatives to conventional organic solvents
· Multi-phase catalysis with transition-metal catalysts.
Liquid-liquid systems: use of water, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids and fluorinated solvents.
Liquid-solid systems: immobilization of homogeneous catalysts on solid supports, catalysts supported on soluble polymers, thermomorphic systems.
· Energetic alternatives: microwaves and ultrasounds
Strengths, weaknesses and limits of the technologies and methodologies discussed in the course will be highlighted from a sustainability and industrial (actual or potential) application point of view.
· Introduction to homogeneous catalysis
· General aspects of homogeneous catalysts with transition-metal compounds (Characteristics of transition-metal based catalysts. Ligands and catalyst design. Bonding in coordination and organometallic compounds)
· Overview of homogenously catalyzed reaction (hydrogeneations, isomerizations, carbonylations, hydroformylations, oligomerizations, polymerizations, oxidations, metathesis and C-H functionalizations).
· Non-noble transition-metals in homogenous catalysis.
· Transition-metal homogeneous catalysis in renewable raw materials transformations (CO2, biomasses).
· Alternatives to conventional organic solvents
· Multi-phase catalysis with transition-metal catalysts.
Liquid-liquid systems: use of water, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids and fluorinated solvents.
Liquid-solid systems: immobilization of homogeneous catalysts on solid supports, catalysts supported on soluble polymers, thermomorphic systems.
· Energetic alternatives: microwaves and ultrasounds
Strengths, weaknesses and limits of the technologies and methodologies discussed in the course will be highlighted from a sustainability and industrial (actual or potential) application point of view.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of coordination and organometallic chemistry
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures with the aid of Powerpoint presentations.
Attendance strongly recommended.
Attendance strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Slides presented and suggested reading therein.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam. The exam constitutes of a series of questions aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of the field reached by the students and their ability to manage the concepts acquired during the course.
CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Ferretti Francesco Maria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Ferretti Francesco MariaProfessor(s)
Reception:
by appointment (e-mail)
Department of Chemistry, ground floor building A, room 103