Project Portugal 2030

Summary

'-Synthesis and functionalization of new biological active N, S and/or O heterocycles (i.e. benzothiophene, thienopyridine, thienopyrimidine, thienopyrazine, quinoline, thienoquinoline, quinoxaline, thienoquinoxaline coumarin and isocoumarin derivatives, among others) based on C-H activation reactions, including cycloaddition reactions involving non static C-H activation directing groups; - Homogeneous catalysis using less expensive earth-abundant metals (Cu, Co, Fe, Ni) and environmental friendly solvents (Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) and bio-based) using mild reaction conditions and, with the advantage of simple purification and low waste. Optimization of the sustainable C-H activation reaction conditions for the different type of heterocycles involved; - Preparation and characterization of metal functionalized heterogeneous catalysts based on modified carbon nanotubes or zeolites using adequate spectroscopic (such as XPS, UV/Vis and FTIR), electrochemical studies and other techniques (XRD, TGA, SEM-EDS, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements); - Heterogeneous catalysis and Electrocatalysis using the prepared catalysts for selective transformations to perform sustainable C-H activation reactions, in RTILs and bio-based solvents, allowing the decrease of activation energy barrier; the recovery and reuse of the metal catalyst and, additionally in the case of electrocatalysis avoiding the use of redox agents; - Fully characterization of all the new heterocycles prepared by 1H and 13C NMR, using DEPT and 2D Homo 1H-1H (COSY) and 1H-13C Heteronuclear correlations (HSQC and HBMC), Mass Spectrometry and Elemental Analysis. - The evaluation of the biological activity of the huge variety of heterocycles prepared will be performed in collaboration with other research groups.