Supramolecular Catalysis
Team leader: Prof. Anne Ponchel
Associate team leader: Dr. Sébastien Noël
Team leader foreword
The Supramolecular Catalysis (CASU) team is based at the Jean Perrin Faculty of Sciences in Lens (University of Artois). The mission of the team is to develop catalytic systems and chemical processes that address pressing societal challenges related to sustainable, eco-responsible, and socially equitable development. Its research is centered on cyclodextrin-assisted catalysis, a field with a strong and historical identity. Cyclodextrins are macrocycles consisting of bridged glucosidic units with the ability to form inclusion complexes or adducts with various organic or inorganic molecules. Cyclodextrins can be used, in native, modified, or polymerized form, in two-phase systems consisting of an aqueous phase and an organic phase to improve mass transfer (phase transfer agents, self-assembled surfactants, colloids, emulsions). They can also be used as ligands in molecular catalysis, stabilizing and/or dispersing and/or structuring agents for the preparation of more efficient metallic nanoparticles, porous materials, heterogeneous or enzymatic catalysts. In the field of catalysis, the CASU team is working on the functionalization of molecules of interest, particularly those derived from starch and oleaginous biomass, on the transformation of pollutants into less harmful substances and, more recently, on the recovery of carbon dioxide. In addition to the use of cyclodextrin as a supramolecular tool, new actions have been initiated in the fields of synthesis and catalysis by mechanochemical means and the use of artificial intelligence around cyclodextrin.
Anne Ponchel, Professor - University of Artois
Themes
The research of the CASU team focuses on the valorization of plant biomass and on energy and environmental issues using catalysts in various forms.
- Homogeneous metal catalysis
The focus of this theme is on the functionalisation of products derived from starch and oilseed biomass and on the use of cyclodextrin-based receptors for aqueous-phase catalysis. The team has developed expertise in carbonylation reactions, including hydroformylation, hydrohydroxymethylation and hydroaminomethylation. This work has demonstrated the effectiveness of a recyclable catalytic system (rhodium/amines) for the tandem hydrohydroxymethylation reaction (hydroformylation followed by hydrogenation) of the jojoba oil esters.
- Nanocatalysis
This research area focuses on the properties of stabilized metal nanoparticles (in colloidal and/or supported form) for aqueous phase catalysis, and in particular for the partial or total hydrogenation/reduction of substrates. These investigations are leading to the development of reproducible methods for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles of controlled size, by exploiting cyclodextrins (molecular receptors), and their multiple functionalization possibilities, as stabilizing and anchoring agents.
- Heterogeneous catalysis
The team has developed expertise in the design and controlled development of high-performance catalytic materials. The team's primary research interests include the properties of receptors, whether in isolation, in complexes or adducts, or in interaction with polymers or surfaces. The team's research aims to control the dispersion of the active phases of supported catalysts or to develop materials structured at the nanometric scale, including inorganic, carbon-based, hybrid or composite materials. Applications include the valorization of bio-sourced substrates, pollutant removal, and CO2 reduction.
In addition, the team works to develop interdisciplinary initiatives and implement emerging technological and digital approaches.
- Mechanochemistry
The team is developing synthesis methodologies by grinding, using mechanical forces to selectively obtain innovative molecules or materials, and studying solvent-free catalytic transformations that can be carried out in particular under reactive atmosphere as well as under light irradiation.
- Artificial Intelligence, in partnership with the NANOME team (CS axis) and the Lens Computer Science Research Center (CRIL UMR 8188)
This research axis focuses on three key areas: predicting association constants between cyclodextrins and guest molecules using machine learning, synthesizing modified cyclodextrins, and identifying chemical properties for catalysis applications.
Team members
| Name | Function | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| Rudina Bleta | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Herve Bricout | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Michel Ferreira | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Bastien Leger | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Cecile Machut | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Stephane Menuel | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Eric Monflier | Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Sebastien Noel | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Anne Ponchel | Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Sebastien Rio | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Cyril Rousseau | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Jolanta Rousseau | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Sebastien Tilloy | Professor | Univ. Artois |
| Frederic Wyrwalski | Assistant Professor | Univ. Artois |