For a more sustainable future in chemistry, academic and industrial expertise are joining forces! The Laboratory for Molecular Innovation and Applications (LIMA, UMR7042 CNRS-Unistra-UHA) and Novartis Basel are collaborating to develop synthesis technologies that are both more efficient and environmentally friendly.
To minimize the environmental impact of their operations, chemical companies are now investing in the development of more sustainable synthesis methods. One approach involves reducing the production of waste, such as the solvents used in the chemical reactions required to manufacture compounds. To achieve this, water mixed with surfactants can be used as a reaction medium: this solution forms micelles—nanoscale “bubbles” that trap the solvents in the water. The number of steps can also be reduced: the method known as “C–H activation,” which bonds carbon and hydrogen, eliminates certain processing steps.
As a doctoral student in Joanna Wencel-Delord’s group at LIMA, Pascal Hauk combined the two approaches. He demonstrated the feasibility of C–H activation in a micellar medium under so-called “mild” chemical conditions (using water as a solvent and at room temperature) for a reaction that normally requires “harsh” conditions (complex reagents, polluting solvents, heating, etc.). This proof of concept opens the door to potential applications on other molecular structures. Published in Chemical Sciences, Pascal Hauk’s work is part of a collaboration with Novartis. It received European funding through the CHAIR (C-H Activation for Industrial Renewal) project, which aims to build bridges between academic research and the industry of the future.
Mindful of the environmental challenges associated with its operations, Novartis has been developing methods for several years to implement sustainable synthesis processes, such as aqueous chemistry. For the Swiss Group’s scientific leadership, this partnership with LIMA was a natural fit:“We’ve been working with Joanna Wencel-Delord’s team for years: for us, LIMA offers the dual advantage of remarkable experience and expertise in this technology, combined with a geographic proximity that allows us to work together effectively ,” explains Dr. Fabrice Gallou, Chief Scientific Officer at Novartis Basel.“Our collaboration is based on complementary approaches and skills, as well as on mutual understanding and transparency, which enable us to move forward without compromise toward a common goal. Together, we have thus been able to bring several years of effort to fruition and quickly publish a promising proof of concept: the applications of this micellar C-H activation method could have a remarkable environmental and economic impact.”
Let’s hope that the strong and fruitful collaboration between Novartis and LIMA will continue on this momentum:“Bringing together short- and long-term academic and industrial perspectives allows us to envision new, even more ambitious development projects. “We can all do our part to build a more sustainable chemistry—a field where there is still so much to be done!”concludes Dr. Gallou.
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