Description du sujet de thèse

Methylaluminoxane (MAO) is an key activator in industrial polyolefin production processes. Combined with metallocene precatalysts, in solution or as a supported reagent, it enables high activity in olefin polymerization with a high degree of control over composition and mass distribution. However, MAO is a poorly defined compound. Its precise structure and mode of action are still the subject of debate, which hinders its understanding and improvement. In addition, the search for alternative MAO-based activators is a highly promising direction.
As part of the ANR-funded Aime-AO project, we propose to combine aluminum organometallic chemistry and advanced characterization techniques (notably high-field solid-state 27Al NMR) to probe the structure and reactivity of MAO and to develop new activators with improved performance.
This topic involves aspects of synthesis, reactivity, and characterization of organometallic compounds under controlled atmosphere, polymerization catalysis, and advanced spectroscopy, in combination with theoretical chemistry studies (in collaboration with an American research group).

Contexte de travail

The Institut de Recherche de Chimie Paris (IRCP) is hosted by Chimie ParisTech – PSL, in the heart of Paris' Latin Quarter. Within IRCP, the Organometallic Chemistry and Polymerization Catalysis group (COCP) has extensive experience in the design, synthesis, and characterization of organometallic and coordination complexes, as well as in the catalytic applications of these derivatives for the synthesis of (co)polymers. The group is fully equipped for synthetic (glove boxes, Schlenk lines) and analytical (SEC, DSC, TGA, MALDI-TOF, IR) studies, with full access to the resources of Chimie ParisTech-PSL (NMR, STM, AFM, XRD). The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Régis Gauvin and Christophe Thomas. Frequent interactions with the project's partner laboratories (UCCS, Lille, very high field solid-state NMR, and CP2M, Lyon, surface chemistry and catalysis) are planned, which will strengthen the successful candidate's skills in these different areas.

Contraintes et risques

Beyond the health and safety constraints associated with handling chemicals, the targeted experiments involve handling highly reactive organoaluminum compounds and will be carried out in glove boxes under a controlled atmosphere and on double lines using Schlenk techniques under a fume hood.

Informations complémentaires

Monthlu salary is 2300 € gross monthly (the field above is automatically filled)