Thesis

Alkanes or hydrocarbons are essential molecules in the energy sector (fuels) as well as in specialty chemistry (cosmetics, adhesives, etc.) and fine chemistry. Today, they are primarily derived from non-renewable fossil resources that are not available at the national scale and contribute to climate change. To reduce the carbon footprint and enhance energy independence, the efficient production of hydrocarbons from renewable and available sources such as biomass is an attractive alternative.

This thesis project focuses on developing innovative methods to produce bio-based hydrocarbons from fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The primary objective is to extrude carbon dioxide from FAME in a single catalytic step, using light as a renewable energy source. The project is structured into two parts: the first aims to verify the compatibility of catalytic systems for breaking the C–O bond with photocatalytic decarboxylation processes, while the second focuses on recombining alkyl residues to synthesize hydrocarbons.

By contributing to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, the thesis project aligns with the strategy of diversifying energy sources.