Development of NHC organocatalysts for extreme photoreduction (ANR CASPI project) PhD Offer (Master’s level – Organic Chemistry / Catalysis)
| ABG-137017 | Thesis topic | |
| 2026-03-23 | Public/private mixed funding |
- Chemistry
Topic description
Development of NHC organocatalysts for extreme photoreduction
(ANR CASPI project)
PhD Offer (Master’s level – Organic Chemistry / Catalysis)
Laboratory : Institut de Chimie Radicalaire – UMR 7273
Team : pharmaco-chimie radicalaire (PCR)
Address : Faculté de Pharmacie – Campus Timone 5ème étage, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin 13385 Marseille
Scientific context
Photoredox catalysis provides elegant solutions in organic synthesis for the reductive activation of inert substrates under mild conditions.[1] However, traditional photocatalysts remain limited by the reducing power of their excited states (> –2 V vs. SCE).
The ANR CASPI project aims to implement the ConPET strategy (Consecutive Photo-induced Electron Transfer) to generate highly reducing anionic photocatalysts within N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) chemistry. NHC organocatalysts have recently been applied to diverse reductive radical transformations.[2] Our preliminary results show that visible-light irradiation can expand their reactivity to challenging, previously inaccessible substrates.
PhD objectives
The goal is to explore the potential of new free redox-active NHCs in extreme photoreductive catalysis.
The student will:
- Optimize the conditions for generating and activating these NHCs,
- Apply them to the reduction of a variety of substrates,
- Conduct experiments under inert atmosphere (glovebox) and under photoactivation (UV-visible lamps).
Starting in September 2026.
[1] a) D. W. C. MacMillan et al. Visible light photoredox catalysis with transition metal complexes: applications in organic synthesis, Chem. Rev. 2013, 113, p5322. b) N. A. Romero, D. A. Nicewicz Organic photoredox catalysis, Chem. Rev. 2016, 116, p10075.
[2] a) Martin, J. Broggi et al. Critical assessment of the reducing ability of Breslow-type derivatives and implications for carbene-catalyzed radical reactions, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, p26783. b) D. Martin, J. Broggi et al. A simple NHC for the catalytic up-conversion of aldehydes into stoichiometric Super Electron Donors Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, p14699.
Starting date
Funding category
Funding further details
Presentation of host institution and host laboratory
La recherche à l’Institut de Chimie Radicalaire se concentre sur les composés porteurs d’électrons non appariés. Nous maîtrisons leur structure à travers la synthèse, la caractérisation et les simulations pour accéder à un large éventail d’applications, des matériaux avancés aux utilisations thérapeutiques.
Research at the Institute of Radical Chemistry focuses on compounds carrying unpaired electrons. We master their structure through synthesis, characterization and simulations to access a broad range of applications, from advanced materials to therapeutic uses.
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Candidate's profile
Candidate profile
Master’s student in organic chemistry or catalysis.
Very good knowledge of organic synthesis.
Interest in catalysis, radical chemistry, and photochemistry.
Duration : 36 months
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