A New Light on Isocyanide Synthesis

ended

SusIsocyanide is an ambitious project that aims for the sustainable synthesis of isocyanides by combining biobased feedstock, visible light and flow chemistry. The aim is to accomplish an economically viable and ecofriendly large scale synthesis of this fundamental and highly versatile building block that has already found widespread appreciation in academia, but suffers from underutilization in the pharma-, fine-chemicals and materials industry. In accordance to the European Green Deal, the devised methodologies will provide an expedient synthetic platform to achieve the automatic synthesis of isocyanides, without the need of toxic and hazardous reagents and avoiding substantial waste production. This will constitute a ground-breaking improvement far beyond the current state-of-the-art, especially considering that the traditionally employed synthetic procedures towards isocyanides have hindered large-scale preparation and therefore industrial utilization. In light of the main goal, SusIsocyanide will constitute a launching platform for the Fellow, since the interconnection between his expertise in photoredox catalysis and flow chemistry and the experience of the host group (Maastricht University) in isocyanide chemistry provides fertile soil for fruitful collaboration and success. Because of the close collaboration in this project with Brightland Chemelot Campus, the Fellow is trained in the industrial utilization of isocyanides in polymer synthesis and advance functional material applications. This highly complements his academic knowledge with industrial application of the developed ideas. Overall, SusIsocyanide will provide a sustainable alternative for the synthesis of isocyanides, taking into account further implementation through industrial applications. The use of simple green feedstock in combination with enabling technologies is the key element that makes the difference to achieve the overall aim and objectives presented.