PhD Student (M/F) in Organic Chemistry and Synthetic Methodology

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Title: Synthesis of Enantiopure [2.2]Paracyclophane-Based Ligands for Lanthanide Coordination Chemistry
Context of the project: [2.2]Paracyclophane (pCp)1 is a rigid, three-dimensional aromatic scaffold composed of two benzene rings linked face-to-face by ethylene bridges. Its unique structure imparts unusual electronic properties and enables planar chirality in substituted derivatives.2 Enantiopure planar chiral pCps are highly valued in materials science, asymmetric catalysis, and optoelectronics due to their configurational stability, chemical robustness, and tunable functionality.3
Despite their potential, the scalable synthesis of enantiopure, poly-substituted pCps remains challenging, limiting their broader application - particularly in lanthanide coordination chemistry, where such ligands could play a decisive role in designing novel multifunctional molecular magnets for next-generation technologies.4
Objective of the PhD project: This PhD project aims to develop robust and scalable synthetic routes to enantiopure pCp-based ligands functionalized with nitrogen-containing coordinating groups (e.g., bipyridine and phenanthroline motifs) for lanthanide coordination. The work will focus on the preparation of key enantiopure intermediates and their controlled functionalization through multi-step organic synthesis. Target transformations will include halogen-metal exchange, Wittig or Seyferth-Gilbert reactions, and palladium-catalysed cross-couplings (Suzuki, Heck, Sonogashira...). The development of new asymmetric catalytic methods enabling access to certain families of ligands will also be explored. The synthesized compounds will be purified and fully characterized using a range of spectroscopic techniques. As part of a collaborative program involving laboratories in Paris, Rennes, and Lyon, the synthesized ligands will be coordinated to lanthanide ions and their magnetic, luminescent, and chiroptical properties investigated.
Keywords: Organic Synthesis, [2.2]Paracyclophane, Planar Chirality, Coordination Chemistry

Your Work Environment

The position is part of a project funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), involving a collaboration between three laboratories: the "Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques" (LCBPT, UMR 8601, Université Paris Cité), the "Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes" (ISCR, UMR CNRS 6226, Université de Rennes), and the "Institut Lumière Matière" (Université Lyon 1). The PhD candidate will primarily conduct their research at the "Laboratoire de Chimie et Biochimie Pharmacologiques et Toxicologiques" (UMR 8601, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, Paris 6th arrondissement), within the host research team New Synthetic Methods at the Chemistry-Biology Interface. The team's research spans a broad range of topics in synthetic organic chemistry and chemical biology, with a particular emphasis on molecular innovation.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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