Description du sujet de thèse

In 2019, IUPAC recognized mechanochemistry as one of the 10 innovative technologies that would change the world.[1] This technology, and more specifically ball-milling, offers numerous benefits in connection with environmentally-friendly chemistry (short reaction times, solvent-free reactions, different solution selectivity...).[2] Ball-mills can be used in a wide range of applications, including materials chemistry (batteries, polymers, etc), supramolecular chemistry (MOFs, etc) and organic chemistry.[3] Photochemistry is another area of chemistry that plays a major role in green chemistry, by taking advantage of light to promote chemical reactions. In particular, photoredox catalysis has greatly contributed to the development of this chemistry.[4] Combining photoredox catalysis and mechanochemistry is therefore an attractive approach, but still rare to date.[5] Our team recently demonstrated the advantages of mechanophotochemistry in the reductive dehalogenation reaction catalyzed by [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 complexes.[6] Thus, the reaction can be carried out in just 3 hours instead of 24 hours in DMF.
In order to go even further in terms of catalyst efficiency and recycling, the aim of the thesis project is to carry out the synthesis of a variety of supported catalysts, as previously demonstrated by the team of Z. Amara's team, [7] and to evaluate their catalytic capacity in mechanophotochemistry. The PhD student's mission will be to develop new access routes to supported catalysts (synthesis and characterization), and to continue the development of mechanophotochemistry, by exploring new reactions, photoredox catalysts, reaction conditions...

References
[1] Gomolloń-Bel, F. Chem. Int. 2019, 41, 12−17.
[2] a) Howard, J. L.; Cao, Q.; Browne, D. L. Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 3080−3094. b) Beillard, A.; Bantreil, X.; Métro, T. X.; Martinez, J.; Lamaty, F. Chem. Rev. 2019, 119, 7529−7609. c) Friscic, T.; Mottillo, C.; Titi, H. M. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 1018−1029.
[3] Takacs, L., Chem. Soc. Rev. 2013, 42, 7649−7659.
[4] a) Prier, C. K.; Rankic, D. A.; MacMillan, D. W. C., Chem. Rev. 2013, 113, 5322; b) Skubi, K. L.; Blum, T. R.; Yoon, T. P., Chem. Rev. 2016, 116, 10035.
[5] a) Hernández, J. G., Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2017, 13, 1463; b) Strukil, V.; Sajko, I., Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 9101; c) Millward, F.; Zysman-Colman, E., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202316169.
[6] Luttringer, F.; Lavayssiere, M.; Rastoder, E.; Salov, N.; Gravelet, T.; Quintin, F.; Pinaud, J.; Lamaty, F.; Bantreil, X., RSC Mechanochem. 2025, 2, 108.
[7] Blanchard, V.; Asbai, Z.; Cottet, K.; Boissonnat, G.; Port, M.; Amara, Z., Org. Process Res. Dev. 2020, 24, 822.

Contexte de travail

The thesis will be carried out as part of the ANR-funded PhotoMill project, in collaboration between the Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), the CNAM (Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Paris) and the Softmat laboratory (Chimie des colloïdes, polymères & assemblages complexes, Toulouse). The student will be working on the synthesis of new supported photoredox catalysts and their use in mechanochemistry.

The work will be split between the CNAM laboratories (Genomics, Bioinformatics and Molecular Chemistry laboratory headed by Dr Zacharias Amara) for the catalyst synthesis part, and IBMM (Green Chemistry and Enabling Technologies team headed by Dr Frédéric Lamaty) for their evaluation in mechanochemistry. It should be noted that the CNAM GBCM laboratory has recently moved into new premises in Saint Denis, with all the equipment and expertise required for the project. The Green Chemistry and Technologies Technologies team is located in the new Balard building on the CNRS Montpellier campus. The team has expertise in mechanochemistry (ball-milling and reactive extrusion), and access to the physical measurements laboratory (LMP) of UAR2041 PAC Balard.

Profile sought: Candidates should have a background in chemistry, with a strong interest in green chemistry, catalysis, materials synthesis and characterization (supported catalysts).

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.