Green Protocols for Catalytic Sustainable Processes in Organic Synthesis

The present PhD work has been mainly carried out at the department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems of the Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, in the laboratories of the Green Organic Synthesis Team (GOST) led by Professor Maurizio Selva. During his three-years program, the candidate also spent a research semester at the departamento de Quimica Organica of the Universidad de Cordoba (Spain) in the Nanoval Group led by Professor Rafael Luque. Sustainable processes and the use of renewable feedstocks, continuous flow chemistry and microwave-assisted syntheses, the development of multi-phase systems and new chitin-derived nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts have been the leitmotiv of the Thesis. Particularly, the research program has been aimed to the following activities: 1. The conceptualization and development of multiphase systems (MPs) for i) the reduction of sugars and sugars-like substrates, ii) the tunable oxidation of 5-HMF and iii) the synthesis of HHD via hydrogenation/hydrolysis of 5-HMF. 2. The conceptualization and the preparation of chitin-derived nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts for i) the solvent-less CO2 fixation reactions into epoxides, ii) the controlled alcohols oxidation to aldehydes and ketones and iii) the reductive amination reactions. 3. The catalytic upgrading of lignin-derived compounds through i) the microwave-assisted catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis of aromatic ethers and ii) the continuous flow hydrogenation of aromatic ethers. 4. The CO2-assisted hydrolytic hydrogenation of cellulose and cellulose-based waste into sorbitol. 5. The synthesis and catalytic activity/application of biomass-derived metal-free carbon catalysts (review paper). This Ph.D. Research Work represents a comprehensive exploration of sustainable processes and the development of novel catalysts for various chemical transformations. The work has addressed key challenges in the field of green organic synthesis, with a focus on utilizing renewable feedstocks, continuous flow chemistry, and microwave-assisted syntheses. In the future, this research can pave the way for more sustainable and efficient chemical processes, contributing to the broader goals of green chemistry and sustainable development. Further investigations may involve scaling up these processes for industrial applications, exploring new catalyst materials, and continuing to innovate in the field of sustainable chemistry. The Ph.D. Work serves as a strong foundation for these future endeavours, and the insights gained from this work have the potential to make a significant impact on the field of green organic synthesis.