Dr.

 

Cédric

 

COLOMBAN

Bioinspired Confined Catalysis

Caged bioinorganic complexes for efficient and selective catalytic transformations in confined spaces.

Robust metal-based catalysts for efficient transformations in complex mixtures

We get inspiration from the enzyme hydrophobic pockets, to reach an efficient protection of Cu(I) catalysts. We are interrested in caged ligands that protect the Cu-center from it deactivation by the reduced gluthathione GSH, without suffering from product inhibition effect, opening the way to efficient CuAAC transformations in complex media. (Chem. Commun. 2021, 57, 2281)

 Selective C-H oxidation via caged bioinspired catalysts.

       - Bioinspired catalysis

Aiming at reproducing the remarkable chemistry found in monooxygenases enzymes, the BCC group develop bioinspired catalysts displaying a cage structure (hydrophobic cavity) that act as a filter to select the targeted substrate. In partiular we have recently demonstrated that caged catalysts results in a more selective oxidation of methane compared to the corresponding models devoid of cavity. Current research aims at developing both efficent and selective C-H oxidation methods based on caged iron and copper complexes.

       -Straightforward preparation of enantiopure caged complexes.

We develop an inovative strategy to prepare bioinspired complexes with controlled helicity. Our methodology is based on enantiopure cage-ligands displaying a chiral cap. Chirality transfer phenomenom between the northern cap and the ligand control helicity at the southern metal core. (Chem. Commun. 2019, 55, 14158).