Photo and thermocatalytic cross-coupling of esters for biobased alkenes synthesis

Stage M2
CEA Saclay, (91) Essonne, France
January 30 2026
February 2 2026
6 month
2025-photo-and-thermocatalytic-cross-coupling-of-esters-en

Domain, Specialties : Organic chemistry
Keywords: catalysis, synthetic methodology

Research Unit : NIMBE / LCMCE

Summary

Faced with the depletion of fossil resources, this internship explores an alternative: using bio-based alkyl esters as electrophiles in cross-coupling reactions (Heck type), replacing polluting organic halides. The objective is to develop catalytic methods using abundant metals such as Fe/Co in photo- or thermocatalysis via tandem catalysis to activate the C–O bonds of esters. The project will build on the laboratory’s work in ester activation and preliminary results. This is an opportunity to contribute to circular chemistry, applicable to the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials industries.

Full description

Context and Subject of the internship

The easy access to energy and carbon-based raw materials offered by the fossil feedstock allowed for the rapid growth of our society. Nevertheless, the expected depletion of fossil resources and climate change require a switch to a more sustainable model. Bio-based feedstock is a promising carbon source to substitute petrochemicals, but requires a drastic shift from the current model. While the current paradigm relies on the production of energy and high-value molecules through oxidation steps, a model based on Carbon Circular Economy, i.e., the transformation of CO2 and biomass feedstock that are already highly oxidized materials, demands the development of new methodologies for reduction, deoxygenation, and the direct use of oxygenated bonds to access functionalized and useful organic molecules.

In organic chemistry, cross-coupling reactions represent one of the major tools to create C–C bonds. However, they are still based mainly on the use of organic halides as electrophiles. In this project, the Master student will demonstrate that readily available and abundant alkyl esters can serve as electrophilic coupling partners in cross-coupling reactions with alkenes. Esters can indeed be directly biosourced or easily synthesized from alkyl carboxylic acids and alcohols, thereby diminishing the environmental impact of the carbon-carbon bond formation.

Objectives and Methodology

The main objective of the project will be the development of catalytic Heck-type cross-coupling reactions, under both thermal and photo-activation, catalyzed by non-noble metals (Fe, Co…). To activate alkyl esters, we envisage the use of tandem catalysis, where two catalysts will work in synergy to perform the reaction. The master project will draw on ongoing research in our laboratory on the reactivity of esters,1 C–O bond activations,2 and preliminary unpublished results.

Funding is available to continue this project with a doctoral thesis starting in fall 2026.

Location

CEA Saclay, (91) Essonne, France

Internship conditions

  • Internship duration: 6 months
  • Level of study: Bac+5
  • Training: Master 2
  • Continuation in PhD thesis: Yes
  • Application deadline: 2 février 2026

Experimental skills

Language : English

Useful methods and technics:
The master student will develop his/her skills in catalysis, organic and organometallic synthesis, working under inert atmosphere (Schlenk lines, gloveboxes), as well as in the analysis of chemical compounds (NMR, GC-MS, IR, X-Ray). The student will also have access to modern optimization methods for catalytic systems, such as highthrouput experimentation (HTE) and DFT computations, and be trained in these techniques if he/she so wishes.

Computer languages and software: N/A

Site web du laboratoire : https://iramis.cea.fr/en/nimbe/lcmce/

Personal web page of supervisor:

Supervisor

Lucile Anthore-Dalion
Phone: +33 1 69 08 91 59
Email :

Head of the laboratory NIMBE / LCMCE


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