Solid catalysts for C-H activation in aromatics: from active site design to fabrication of catalyst microspheres

Innovation in medical therapy relies strongly on the availability of high-quality but affordable therapeutic molecules. A structural analysis of recently approved Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and of (projected) blockbuster drugs in particular, reveals that at least one third of them contains vinylated, arylated or aminated aromatic compounds. Affordable access to complex aromatic molecules is a hot issue in the advanced polymers sector as well. In this project, catalytic routes will be developed based on porous solids that give access to these valuable target molecules without the formation of stoichiometric waste and that eliminate the risk for metal leaching.