WelCo2me to Le Roux' Group Web-Page
Our research focuses on both fundamental and applied aspects of tailor-made organometallic compounds, structured hybrid materials, and catalysis. This involves the synthesis, testing, and characterization of novel organometallic compounds for a wide range of applications, particularly in green homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and structure-activity/reactivity relationship studies, as well as medical imaging.
More specifically, our research aims to assess the roles of organometallics, primarily based on non-endangered elements, in sustainable catalysis (including green and energy chemistry) and to develop new catalytic reactions for converting readily available small molecules such as CO2 and olefins into more valuable products. This work has led to the discovery of several greener catalysts and new catalytic reactions, including:
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The development of less endangered transition metal-based catalysts for the copolymerization of CO2 with epoxides or bio-resources to produce sustainable polymers.
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Activation and conversion of dinitrogen into ammonia by transition metal-based catalysts.
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The hydrodeoxygenation of oxygen-enriched biomasses and derivatives into aromatics and cycloalkanes.
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The selective transformation of ethylene into useful building blocks for the downstream refinement of oil, such as plasticizers, lubricants, and pharmaceutical products.
Our current research is also extended now on developing functionalized macrocyclic ligands for stabilizing the traditionally less used radiometals (titanium-45, for instance) for the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
Research interest:
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Organometallic chemistry
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Transformation of carbon dioxide into useful products
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Activation of small molecules
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Biomass valorization
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PET chemistry
