Enhancing Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Carboxylation of Aziridines Using Doped ZnO Electrodes

• Grant number: 24/17036-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: February 10, 2025
• End date: February 09, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Ernesto Chaves Pereira de Souza
• Grantee: Jeyse Tawana da Silva
• Supervisor: Marco Bandini
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università di Bologna, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/27029-5 - Electrochemical carboxylation of organic molecules for the formation of high added value products, BP.DD

Abstract

Using CO2 as a reagent in organic synthesis presents a sustainable solution to mitigate environmental concerns while addressing the increasing demand for novel synthetic methodologies. Electrochemical carboxylation of aziridines is an innovative approach to synthesize b-amino acids and related derivatives, which are valuable in pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. This research focuses on developing efficient, mild, and selective photoelectrochemical methods for carboxylation of aziridines using CO2 as the carbon source. Various photoactive electrode materials, including ZnO doped with different elements, will be investigated to enhance reaction efficiency and selectivity. The study will systematically optimize reaction conditions, explore the mechanistic aspects, and evaluate the scope of different aziridine substrates. By advancing the understanding and application of electrochemical and photoelectrochemical carboxylation, this project aims to propose new sustainable synthetic routes, contributing to the broader adoption of green chemistry principles in organic synthesis.