EUROPEAN REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FUND
ACTIONS
© Frédéric MALIGNE / LHFA / CNRS Photo library
CATALYST DESIGN
The transformation of fats from the agri-food sector as well as the valorization of lindane and its derivatives will be carried out through catalysis in order to enable processes with high atom and energy efficiency by increasing reaction kinetics and therefore allowing these transformations to work at moderate temperatures (<50-70 °C). To achieve this goal, different types of catalysts will be prepared, such as organocatalysts, organometallic catalysts and nanocatalysts, immobilized both on solid supports and in liquid phase.
The main focus will be the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles with a high active surface from abundant and inexpensive metals (such as Copper, Iron, Nickel, Cobalt). This synthesis will be carried out in solvents with negligible vapor pressure and with low environmental impact (glycerol and derivatives, ionic liquids derived from choline) to facilitate their immobilization in liquid media, and preclude their leaching, as well as promoting their stability by avoiding their deactivation. ICIQ will develop modular organometallic molecular catalysts by modifying metal-coordinated ligands, also based on inexpensive and low-toxicity metals (such as Iron, Alumunium and Nickel). In addition, new organocatalysts capable of activating substrates through weak interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, will be studied, presenting complementary reaction modes to metal catalysts.
​
CATALYTIC TRANSFORMATION OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES
The transformation of industrial wastes (fat, lindane and derivatives) into value-added compounds or into products with little or no impact on the environment, will be carried out by catalytic processes. The strategy proposed within the framework of TRIPyr has a direct impact on 8 of the 12 principles of Green Chemistry. Catalysis, one of these principles (principle 9), represents an essential tool to avoid waste (principle 1), increase atom economy (principle 2), increase energy efficiency (principle 6), reduce the reaction steps of a process (principle 8), the conception of synthetic strategies towards more respectful products (principles 3 and 4), as well as the use of appropriate solvents (principle 4), which implies an overall environmental benefit and cost reduction.
VALORIZATION OF WASTES AT PILOT SCALE
COMMUNICATION
This action aims to recover industrial wastes through the following strategies: Scale up laboratory processes to the pilot plant both in batch mode, and through continuous flow intensification of catalytic processes. This action will focus on the development and optimization of production methods at industrial scale encompassing technical studies of discontinuous methods and preliminary continuous studies.
The activities of this action aim to lay the foundations for the development and scale-up of batch processes, as well as the intensification of continuous flow processes enabling a smooth transposition of the chemical technologies developed in TRIPyr to industrial scale.
TRIPyr has set the objective to inform society about Green Chemistry, its principles and in particular on the key role of catalysis towards gaining access the chemicals needed in various sectors: drugs, polymers or materials for aeronautics, etc. in terms of energy economy.
The scientific dissemination of breakthroughs and project results and via public engagement strategies will be an important focus for TRIPyr. In addition, local stakeholders will be informed about the results of the project to ensure a significant impact on society. The dissemination of the results will also be done through forums for the general public, with local communities, business seminars, etc.