Metallolinker-Functionalized MOF Catalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation

One of the main challenges of the 21st century is the reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, for which replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources will help. Methanol is a sustainable key compound that can be directly used as a low-density fuel or as a feedstock for valuable platform chemicals. To date, efforts to perform CO2 hydrogenation to methanol under mild reaction conditions have not achieved high enough selectivity at reasonable conversion values. Heterogeneous catalysts are robust and easy to recover but usually yield low selectivity due to the difficult control of the active sites during synthesis. In contrast, homogeneous catalysts feature well-defined active sites amenable to logical optimization and selectivity design, but inefficient catalyst recovery and decomposition are huge shortcomings for industrial implementation. TUNEMOF proposes to overcome these drawbacks by developing metallolinker-functionalized MOFs bearing earth-abundant metals (Fe and Mn). The immobilization of the molecular-based catalyst center will promote the metal-ligand cooperation and the secondary linker assistance will prevent the deactivation of the catalyst. Meeting this strategy with low-cost metal-based catalysts is a significant added value. TUNEMOF integrates the experience of the researcher in organometallic chemistry, the excellence of Prof. Olsbye’s group (University of Oslo) in applied chemistry of porous materials, the experience in catalytic testing of homogeneous systems of Prof. Beller (LIKAT, secondment), and in spectroscopic analysis and techno-economic assessment of Haldor Topsøe (non-academic placement). This synergy provides a unique networking platform to diversify the researcher’s individual competences and to promote the interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial transfer of knowledge. The complete training gained from the development of TUNEMOF will promote the professional career of the applicant to become a leading independent researcher.