Recrutement

Présentation de l’unité de recherche : Le Laboratoire Lorrain de Chimie Moléculaire (L2CM) est une unité mixte de recherche du CNRS et de l’Université de Lorraine (UMR 7053) qui regroupe environ 70 personnes. Le L2CM développe ses activités principalement dans les domaines de la chimie organique, organométallique et de coordination, de la physico-chimie des molécules et des interfaces (auto-assemblage, adsorption, spectroscopie, photophysique) et leurs applications en (photo-, bio-)catalyse ou en (photo)biologie. L’unité est structurée en quatre équipes dont les thématiques de recherche sont, respectivement : (1) la synthèse par voie organométallique ; (2) l’ingénierie de complexes métalliques ; (3) la synthèse d’architectures moléculaires photo-actives et (4) l’étude des interactions aux interfaces, pour l’adsorption et la catalyse

Les équipes travaillent en forte interaction avec les plateformes de l’unité, toutes labellisées STAR LUE (programme Infra+ du i-site LUE) : SynBioN (synthèse pour la biologie et les nanomatériaux), PhotoNS (spectroscopie optique et photophysique – Interface matière molle et matériaux poreux – photo-biologie) et MassLor pour la spectrométrie de masse (https://www.l2cm.univ-lorraine.fr/l2cm/plateformes/ ).  

This position is dedicated to advancing efficient and sustainable methodologies for the formation of C-N and C-O bonds—key pillars of modern synthetic chemistry. Leveraging the transformative potential of transition-metal catalysis, the project aims to develop adaptive catalytic systems that dynamically adjust their reactivity and selectivity to changing reaction conditions. These systems will enable the discovery of novel reaction pathways, improve control over chemical bond activation, and enhance atom economy to address pressing environmental challenges. The successful candidate will focus on designing and synthesizing transition-metal-based catalysts, incorporating light as a promoter to enable divergent reaction pathways. The research will explore the controlled activation of small molecules and facilitate atom/group transfer processes, ultimately creating unique compounds with high-value applications.

Key Objectives :

1. Catalyst Development:
o Design and synthesize molecular catalysts for adaptive C–H functionalization.
2. Reaction Pathway Exploration:o Investigate non-directed C–H activation mechanisms using photochemical techniques.
o Explore catalytic systems that dynamically modulate reaction networks.
3. Mechanistic Insights:
o Study the interplay between reaction conditions (e.g., solvent, temperature, pressure) and catalyst behavior to optimize selective bond activation pathways.
o Combine experimental and computational methods to understand adaptive catalyst properties.
4. Advanced Catalyst Design:
o Synthesize transition-metal complexes with secondary coordination spheres, leveraging Lewis acid-base interactions to dynamically fine-tune reactivity and selectivity.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a highly promising therapeutic option to overcome resistance in cancer therapy. PTT relies on light-to-heat conversion by a photothermal agent. Iron(II) complexes have shown very promising properties as photothermal agents, reaching temperatures far beyond those required in PTT at low millimolar concentration.[1,2] Iron(II) complexes are also active in photoacoustic imaging (PA), an emerging medical imaging technique.[2,3] Therefore, the aim of this project is to synthesize and study iron(II) complexes for photoacoustic imaging guided photothermal therapy.

Objectives:
▪ Synthesize a library of polydentate ligands
▪ Coordinate to iron(II) center
▪ Explore their structure-optical properties relationship
▪ Rationalize their structure-PTT activity relationship

Adaptive Photocatalytic Systems: Impact of Electronic Structure on Sustainable Biohybrid Production from CO₂ and Bio-based Olefins.

Recent developments in photocatalysis have introduced new approaches to harnessing sustainable energy and carrying out synthetic transformations that traditional thermal methods often find challenging. One key challenge is the catalytic conversion of alkenes into polar functional groups, such as carboxylic acids and amines, which are important in green chemistry. While progress has been made, some relatively simple transformations remain difficult to achieve using current methodologies. This project focuses on a novel approach to address these challenges by synthesizing biohybrid products—such as carboxylic acids—directly from CO₂-derived formate salts and bio-based olefins. This method leverages thermodynamic advantages while maintaining efficiency in terms of atom and electron economy. The selected candidate will work on the development of transition-metal-based catalytic systems that use light to enable alternative reaction pathways for the conversion of alkenes into polar functional groups. A central aspect of the project involves the controlled transfer of atoms or functional groups from donors to acceptors, enabling the production of new compounds with tailored properties. The project integrates computational and experimental approaches. Computational studies, in collaboration with Dr. Mariachiara Pastore (LPCT-Nancy), will employ Density Functional Theory (DFT) to explore the molecular mechanisms of these catalytic transformations. These insights will help to identify and optimize reaction pathways.