Sustainable synthetic methods employing catalysis, benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock

• Grant number: 21/12394-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Arlene Gonçalves Corrêa
• Grantee: Arlene Gonçalves Corrêa
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Carlos
• Principal investigators: Ernesto Antonio Urquieta Gonzalez ; Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales ; Márcio Weber Paixão ; Marco Antonio Barbosa Ferreira
• Associated researchers: Ernesto Chaves Pereira de Souza ; Ivo Freitas Teixeira ; Marco Antonio Barbosa Ferreira ; Ricardo Samuel Schwab ; Sérgio Henrique Vannucchi Leme de Mattos
• Associated research grant(s): 25/02263-6 - Chemistry is Green! Educational game book about catalysis and renewable energy sources for high school, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/01893-6 - Synthesis of biomass-based catalysts for CO2 electroreduction, BP.PD; 25/10814-2 - Estimate of the catalytic activity of nanoparticles with Active Learning algorithms guided by DFT and DFTB, BP.PD; 25/12870-7 - Development of Photochemical Strategies for the Selective Functionalization of pi-Extended Systems Using Bayesian Learning, BP.DD; + associated scholarships 25/10530-4 - One-pot conversion of furfural over acid ZSM-5, beta and USY zeolites - Activity and selectivity to value-added molecules as a function of their textural and acid Properties, BP.PD; 24/16614-2 - Parametrization of salen ligands and applications in pyrazoline synthesis reactions assisted by statistical tools, BP.PD; 25/04819-1 - Synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives employing CO2 as renewable feedstock, BP.IC; 24/23076-7 - New approach of copper electrodeposition for CO2 electroreduction to hydrocarbons C2+ and in-situ catalyst recovery to increase the reaction stability., BP.PD; 25/02556-3 - Synthesis and modification of carbon materials with transition metal oxides for application in CO2 reduction assays, BP.PD; 24/11665-8 - Mechanistic Investigation Involving Amide Bond Formation Reactions between Carboxylic Acids and Amines Catalyzed by Boronic Acids, BP.DD; 24/19163-1 - PluriVerCidade: Environmental Education Program on links between water, energy and food aimed at public elementary schools in São Carlos, BP.TT; 24/15526-2 - Synthesis and evaluation of the antiplasmodial activity of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and pyrrolo[2,3-b]indoles, BP.DD; 24/06318-7 - ELECTROCATALYTIC PRODUCTION OF GREEN AMMONIA FROM THE SELECTIVE CONVERSION OF NITROGEN OXIDES, BP.PD; 24/05141-6 - One-pot conversion of furfural over acid ZSM-5, beta and USY zeolites - Activity and selectivity to value-added molecules as a function of their textural and acid properties, BP.PD; 24/07506-1 - Advances in Sustainable Organic Synthesis: Electrochemical Strategies for the Synthesis of N-Arylamines and N-Arylamides, BP.DD; 24/05518-2 - Synthesis of five-membered N-heterocycles employing green methods, BP.DD; 24/07999-8 - Diffusion and popularization of science: awakening young students to science, technology and social inclusion actions, BP.TT; 24/01563-3 - PluriVerCidade: Environmental Education Program on links between water, energy and food aimed at public elementary schools in São Carlos, BP.TT; 23/15888-9 - Support for the planning, application and evaluation of activities of PluriVerCidade: Environmental Education Program on links between water, energy and food aimed at public primary schools in São Carlos, BP.TT; 23/13505-5 - Synthesis of N-heterocycles via asymmetric Ugi-type multicomponent reactions, BP.PD; 23/12011-9 - PluriVerCidade: Environmental Education Program on links between water, energy and food aimed at public elementary schools in São Carlos., BP.TT; 23/11454-4 - Photocatalytic synthesis of 1-pyrrolines under continuous flow conditions and synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines for antiplasmodial evaluation, BP.PD; 23/11554-9 - Synthesis and modification of carbon materials with transition metal oxides for application in CO2 reduction assays, BP.PD - associated scholarships

Abstract

The Centre of Excellence for Research in Sustainable Chemistry (CERSusChem) was established in 2016 by the FAPESP Engineering Research Centers Program (CPE) and was co-financed by the pharmaceutical industry GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). The CERSusChem activities are based on the 3 pillars: research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination. Continuing our efforts in the development of new sustainable synthetic methods, in this present proposal, studies focused on homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis will be addressed. To this end, we will take advantage of our expertise on asymmetric organocatalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and nanocatalysis using benign solvents, safer reagents, and bio-renewable feedstock. The new catalysts may be immobilized in different materials, such as nanoparticles, and adapted to continuous flow process. This proposal also comprises two major approaches to the education and dissemination of the produced knowledge, namely: i) the development of undergraduate, graduate, and technical training actions within the formal education principles; and ii) the elaboration of non-formal education activities involving science communication for high and elementary school teachers and students, and lay citizens. (AU)

Scientific publications

(29)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TEIXEIRA, WYSTAN K. O.; DE ALBUQUERQUE, DANILO YANO; ZUKERMAN-SCHPECTOR, JULIO; SECKLER, DIEGO; RAMPON, DANIEL S.; SCHWAB, RICARDO S.. Copper-Mediated Intramolecular Interrupted CuAAC Selanylation. Journal of Organic Chemistry, v. 88, n. 15, p. 14-pg., 2023-07-19. (14/50249-8, 21/12394-0, 13/06558-3)

JANUARIO, MARCELO AUGUSTO PEREIRA; DE SOUZA, DEMETRIUS P.; ZUKERMAN-SCHPECTOR, JULIO; CORREA, ARLENE G.. Rh(III)-Catalyzed C-2 Alkylation of Indoles followed by a Post-Synthetic Modification via the Ugi Reaction. CHEMISTRYOPEN, v. 12, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2023-06-01. (13/07600-3, 21/12394-0, 14/50918-7)

PEREIRA, ELEN M. F.; ZAPELINI, IAGO W.; SILVA, ELIANE S.; URQUIETA-GONZALEZ, ERNESTO A.; MARTINS, LEANDRO. Tuning the MTO reaction dynamics through CO₂ addition on intentionally coked SSZ-13. FUEL, v. 406, p. 9-pg., 2025-10-22. (21/12394-0, 23/10544-0, 23/01953-3, 19/12486-1)

ROY, SOUMYABRATA; LI, ZHENGYUAN; CHEN, ZHIWEN; MATA, ASTRID CAMPOS; KUMAR, PAWAN; SARMA, SAURAV CH.; TEIXEIRA, IVO F.; SILVA, INGRID F.; GAO, GUANHUI; TARAKINA, NADEZDA V.; et al. Cooperative Copper Single-Atom Catalyst in 2D Carbon Nitride for Enhanced CO₂ Electrolysis to Methane. Advanced Materials, v. 36, n. 13, p. 13-pg., 2024-01-06. (21/12394-0, 21/11162-8, 20/14741-6)

MARTELLI, LORENA S. R.; DA SILVA, OTAVIO A. M.; ZUKERMAN-SCHPECTOR, JULIO; CORREA, ARLENE G.. One-pot synthesis of γ-lactams from ketoaziridines. ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY, v. 21, n. 46, p. 5-pg., 2023-11-09. (18/23761-0, 21/12394-0, 13/07600-3, 14/50918-7, 14/50249-8)

GONCALVES, ROGER; PEREIRA, ERNESTO CHAVES. Enhancement of exciton properties in poly(3-hexylthiophene) via carbon nitride composites. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, v. N/A, p. 16-pg., 2024-09-14. (13/07296-2, 17/11986-5, 21/12394-0)

MARTINEZ, ALICE K. DE A.; MOURAO, PENINA S.; CORREA, ARLENE G.. A Concise Account on Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Synthesis of Epoxide and Aziridine Derivatives from α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds. Synlett, v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2025-03-12. (24/05518-2, 21/12394-0)

PICININI, MONIZE; DOS SANTOS, MATEUS GONSALVES; BUENO, JOSE MARIA C.; URQUIETA-GONZALEZ, ERNESTO A.. Exchanged oxo-Cu2+cations in mordenite zeolites: Evidencing the truly active in the stepwise conversion of methane to methanol from in situ DRS-UV-vis analyses performed during activation and reaction. MOLECULAR CATALYSIS, v. 579, p. 14-pg., 2025-05-15. (21/12394-0, 18/01258-5)

FURNIEL, LUCAS G.; CORREA, ARLENE G.. Photochemical Synthesis and Ring-Opening of Aziridines and Epoxides: State-of-the-Art. CHEMPHOTOCHEM, v. 8, n. 9, p. 18-pg., 2024-06-15. (23/11454-4, 21/12394-0, 13/07600-3)

MOREIRA, AILTON JOSE; MARQUES, GLEISON NERES; DE ARAUJO, KELVIN COSTA; DE MORAES, ALEX SILVA; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA; PEREIRA, ERNESTO CHAVES. Photocatalytic Degradation of Environmental Contaminants: Transformation Products and Effects on Photocatalytic Performance. CATALYSTS, v. 15, n. 7, p. 26-pg., 2025-06-30. (23/07525-3, 13/07296-2, 17/11986-5, 24/07206-8, 21/12394-0, 21/06128-5, 22/06219-3)

JOSE, B. G.; NOLETO, LUIS F. G.; IGA, GUSTAVO D.; GONCALVES, FELIPE S.; CARDOSO, DANIEL R.; TEIXEIRA, IVO F.; RIBEIRO, CAUE. Visible light-driven selective C-C cleavage of glycerol into formic acid using Ni-poly(heptazine) imide. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL, v. 521, p. 9-pg., 2025-07-30. (23/10329-1, 21/11162-8, 24/00839-5, 17/11986-5, 24/03871-7, 20/14741-6, 21/12394-0, 22/07347-5)

OLIVEIRA, WANESSA L.; DA SILVA, MARCOS A. R.; DIAB, GABRIEL ALI ATTA; G FILHO, JOSE BALENA; PASTANA, VITOR G. S.; SILVA, LUANA L. B.; DE OLIVEIRA, EDUARDA FERREIRA; BATISTA, WALKER VINICIUS FERREIRA DO CARMO; DA CRUZ, TAIS DOS SANTOS; MASTELARO, VALMOR ROBERTO; et al. Selective Photocatalytic Benzene Oxidation Using Iron-Carbon Nitride Fragments Functionalized with Cyamelurate-Like Groups. CHEMPHOTOCHEM, v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2024-11-20. (21/14006-7, 21/12394-0, 20/14741-6, 21/13271-9)

FERNANDES, RAFAELLA F.; KALITA, NABA K.; LIGUORI, ANNA; GONZALEZ, ERNESTO A. URQUIETA; HAKKARAINEN, MINNA; SOBRAL, PAULO JOSE A.; OTONI, CAIO G.. Exploring the Potential of H-Zeolites as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Chemical Recycling of Polysaccharides and Their Flexible Films. CHEMSUSCHEM, v. N/A, p. 9-pg., 2025-02-26. (23/01339-3, 21/12394-0, 23/09513-2, 21/12071-6)

KHIARAK, BEHNAM NOURMOHAMMADI; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; LAI, HUNG D. T.; ESMAEILI, HOSSEIN; NGUYEN, ANH N.; DINH, KHAC-HUY; ZHANG, QIAN; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; DINH, CAO-THANG. Integrated Carbon Dioxide Capture and Electrochemical Conversion: Chemistry, Electrode and Electrolyzer Design, and Economic Viability. ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS, v. N/A, p. 39-pg., 2025-10-14. (21/12394-0, 13/07296-2, 23/10268-2, 22/10255-5)

SECKLER, DIEGO; DA LUZ, EDUARDO Q.; SILVERIO, GABRIEL L.; SOUSA SANTANA, FRANCIELLI; BADSHAH, GUL; TEIXEIRA, WYSTAN K.; MONTES D'OCA, CAROLINE R.; SCHWAB, RICARDO S.; RAMPON, DANIEL S.. Cu(I)-Catalyzed Interrupted Cycloaddition Between Azides, Ag(I)-Acetylides, and Diorganoyl Dichalcogenides. ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS, v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2025-07-16. (13/06558-3, 21/12394-0)

TAMEGA, GIOVANNA SCALLI; COSTA, MATEUS OLIVEIRA; PEREIRA, ARIEL DE ARAUJO; FERREIRA, MARCO ANTONIO BARBOSA. Data Science Guiding Analysis of Organic Reaction Mechanism and Prediction. CHEMICAL RECORD, v. N/A, p. 45-pg., 2024-11-05. (21/12394-0, 22/11314-5, 20/10246-0, 24/00752-7, 24/11665-8)

PIANKOVA, DIANA V.; ZSCHIESCHE, HANNES; TYUTYUNNIK, ALEXANDER P.; GRAPE, ERIK SVENSSON; DA SILVA, CAIO VINICIUS C. R.; GUIMARAES JR, WALBER G.; DE MOURA, ANDRE. F.; REIS, IZADORA F.; DIAB, GABRIEL ALI A.; BALENA FILHO, G. JOSE; et al. Enhancing the Photocatalytic Performance of Carbon Nitrides Through Controlled Local Structure Modification. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2025-06-20. (21/12394-0, 23/10329-1, 24/11848-5, 21/14006-7, 21/11162-8, 20/14741-6)

DANTAS, JULIANA A.; HARDY, MELISSA A.; COSTA, MATEUS O.; DE OLIVEIRA, CAMILA P.; CABRAL, TADEU L. G.; TORMENA, CLAUDIO FRANCISCO; SIGMAN, MATTHEW S.; FERREIRA, MARCO A. B.. Synthesis of Dihydropyrazoles via Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Heterocyclization/Carbonylation/Arylation of β,γ-Unsaturated N-Tosyl Hydrazones. ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS, v. 366, n. 5, p. 8-pg., 2023-12-21. (22/11314-5, 21/12394-0, 20/10246-0)

PAIXAO, DOUGLAS B.; SECKLER, DIEGO; GOMES, CARLA M. B.; BADSHAH, GUL; BUENO, GABRIEL P.; SCHNEIDER, PAULO H.; SCHWAB, RICARDO S.; RAMPON, DANIEL S.. Transition Metal-Promoted Direct C-S and C-Se Bond Formation from Csp³-H Bonds. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, v. 28, n. 20, p. 27-pg., 2025-05-02. (21/12394-0, 13/06558-3)

MENEZES, WALLAS T.; GONCALVES, ROGER; PEREIRA, ERNESTO C.. Boosting photocurrent of anodized Nb₂O₅ by synergetic post-synthesis electrochemical treatment. MATERIALS ADVANCES, v. 5, n. 14, p. 9-pg., 2024-05-29. (21/12394-0, 13/07296-2, 17/11986-5)

ERYKA T. D. NOBREGA; KELVIN C. DE ARAÚJO; AILTON J. MOREIRA; REGIANE C. DE OLIVEIRA; GELSON T. S. T. DA SILVA; SIRLON F. BLASKIEVICZ; LEANDRO L. SOARES; SHERLAN G. LEMOS; LUCIA H. MASCARO; ERNESTO C. PEREIRA. Pure and Cobalt-Modified ZnO Nanostructures Prepared by a New Synthesis Route Applied to Environmental Remediation. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v. 35, n. 11, 2024-05-10. (22/05254-0, 13/07296-2, 23/11554-9, 21/12394-0, 23/07525-3, 22/06219-3, 19/26860-2, 22/10255-5)

VIDAL, HERIKA D. A.; NUNES, PAULO S. G.; MARTINEZ, ALICE K. A.; JANUARIO, MARCELO A. P.; SANTIAGO, PEDRO H. O.; ELLENA, JAVIER; CORREA, ARLENE G.. Diastereoselective Synthesis of Highly Functionalized γ-Lactams via Ugi Reaction/Michael Addition. CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL, v. N/A, p. 7-pg., 2024-11-09. (19/06555-0, 17/15850-0, 24/05518-2, 21/12394-0, 21/10066-5)

BATISTA, WALKER VINICIUS FERREIRA DO CARMO; CRUZ, TAIS SANTOS; FERRARI, JEFFERSON LUIS; TABORDA, NESTOR CIFUENTES; PEREIRA, FABIANO VARGAS; GABRIEL FILHO, JOSE BALENA; TORRES, HERICK RIBEIRO; DE LIMA, GUILHERME FERREIRA; SANTOS, DALVA ESTER COSTA FERREIRA; NOLETO, LUIS FERNANDO GUIMARAES; et al. Cu single-atoms supported on molten salt-derived N-doped nanocarbons: A highly efficient catalyst for 4-nitrophenol reduction. Applied Surface Science, v. 708, p. 14-pg., 2025-11-01. (21/12394-0, 23/10329-1, 21/11162-8, 22/14652-9, 20/14741-6)

DA SILVA, MARCOS A. R.; TARAKINA, NADEZDA V.; FILHO, JOSE B. G.; CUNHA, CARLA S.; ROCHA, GUILHERME F. S. R.; DIAB, GABRIEL A. A.; ANDO, ROMULO AUGUSTO; SAVATEEV, OLEKSANDR; AGIRREZABAL-TELLERIA, IKER; SILVA, INGRID F.; et al. Single-Atoms on Crystalline Carbon Nitrides for Selective C―H Photooxidation: A Bridge to Achieve Homogeneous Pathways in Heterogeneous Materials. Advanced Materials, v. 35, n. 52, p. 13-pg., 2023-11-20. (20/14741-6, 22/16273-5, 21/12394-0, 21/13271-9, 21/11162-8)

BATISTA, WALKER VINICIUS FERREIRA DO CARMO; DE OLIVEIRA, WANESSA LIMA; DE OLIVEIRA, EDUARDA FERREIRA; CRUZ, TAIS SANTOS; FERRARI, JEFFERSON LUIS; ARCHANJO, BRAULIO SOARES; GRIGOLETTO, SABRINA; FERREIRA, DALVA ESTER DA COSTA; PEREIRA, FABIANO VARGAS; DIAB, GABRIEL ALI ATTA; et al. Ni Single-Atoms Supported on N-Doped Carbon Prepared by Cation Exchange: Ultrafast Catalyst For The Reduction of Nitroarene Compounds Under Ambient Conditions. CHEMCATCHEM, v. 16, n. 18, p. 13-pg., 2024-07-16. (21/14006-7, 21/12394-0, 20/14741-6, 21/13271-9)

OBASANJO, CORNELIUS A.; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; MARIN, FATIMA GONZALEZ; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; DINH, CAO-THANG. Steering the Selectivity of Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction on the Cu Catalyst via the Interplay between the Electrode Morphology and Electrolyte Anion Identity. ACS CATALYSIS, v. 15, n. 7, p. 12-pg., 2025-03-24. (21/12394-0, 22/10255-5, 23/10268-2, 13/07296-2)

LEONARCZYK, IVES A.; CHIAVEGATTI, ATTILIO; PEREIRA, ARIEL A.; TAMEGA, GIOVANNA S.; TORMENA, CLAUDIO F.; FERREIRA, MARCO A. B.. Elucidating the mechanism of the FeCl₃-Catalyzed quinoline synthesis by A3 multicomponent reaction. Tetrahedron, v. 150, p. 9-pg., 2023-11-18. (20/13563-7, 21/12394-0, 21/08132-0, 22/11314-5, 20/10246-0)

SILVA, ANELISSE B.; REIS, EDUARDO A.; HU, JIAJUN; ALBERO, JOSEP; RIBEIRO, CAUE; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; GARCIA, HERMENEGILDO. Improving nitrate-to-ammonia conversion efficiency on electrodeposited nickel phosphide via surface δ-FeOOH modification. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, v. 13, n. 6, p. 11-pg., 2025-01-02. (18/01258-5, 22/15742-1, 17/11986-5, 20/11756-2, 21/12394-0, 13/07296-2)

KHIARAK, BEHNAM NOURMOHAMMADI; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; GRANGE, VALENTINE; GAO, GUORUI; GOLOVANOVA, VIKTORIA; DE ARQUER, F. PELAYO DE GARCIA; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; DINH, CAO-THANG. Macro- and Nano-Porous Ag Electrodes Enable Selective and Stable Aqueous CO₂ Reduction. SMALL, v. 21, n. 8, p. 10-pg., 2024-12-23. (23/10268-2, 21/12394-0, 13/07296-2, 22/10255-5)