Supervisor: Prof. Jordi Burés

Co-Supervisor: Prof. Ruben Martin

Project Title: Unravelling the mechanistic intricacies of catalytic chain-walking reactions

Description of the project:

Catalytic chain-walking reactions offer a versatile approach for transforming unactivated olefins into high-value compounds. These reactions are particularly attractive for their potential in building complex sp³-rich architectures from abundant, low-cost feedstocks. However, the mechanisms governing reactivity and site-selectivity remain poorly understood. This project aims to dissect the underlying mechanisms through rigorous kinetic studies and advanced in situ reaction monitoring techniques, such as in-situ NMR, in-situ IR, and sampling coupled with chromatographic methods. Insights obtained will guide the development of more efficient and selective Ni-catalyzed processes with broad applicability in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry.

The project will provide rigorous training in synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, and mechanistic analysis, combining hands-on experimentation with advanced reaction monitoring techniques (in situ NMR, IR, and chromatography) to extract quantitative kinetic insights. Within the excellent research environment at ICIQ , the student will develop expertise in reaction design, catalyst optimization, and data-driven mechanistic reasoning, while gaining exposure to collaborative and industrially relevant research. This training will equip the candidate with a highly competitive profile, opening career opportunities in academia as well as in industry, particularly in pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and advanced materials.

Tasks to be performed by the PhD student:

·   Synthesize and characterize relevant organometallic complexes.

·   Design and carry out experiments to investigate the mechanism of catalytic chain-walking reactions.

·   Employ experimental and analytical techniques to monitor and study reaction processes.

·   Analyze data to extract mechanistic and kinetic insights.

·   Contribute to the development and optimization of catalytic methodologies.

·   Collaborate with internal and external research partners.

·   Disseminate research findings through reports, publications, and scientific meetings.

Preferred skills or background:

·   MSc in Chemistry or related discipline.

·   Strong background in synthetic organic or organometallic chemistry.

·   Interest or experience in kinetic studies and reaction mechanism elucidation.

·   Familiarity with analytical and spectroscopic techniques (e.g., NMR, IR, HPLC).

·   Good level of English and strong communication skills.

·   Motivation for interdisciplinary and collaborative research.