Application of homo- and hetero-geneous catalysis for the preparation of platform chemicals from biorenewable feedstocks

This industrially-orientated collaborative project will explore innovative catalytic methods (using both tailored homo- and hetero-geneous catalysts) for the preparation of platform chemicals, including alkanes and alkenes, from sustainable, bio-renewable feedstocks using both batch and flow methodologies. Work will include synthetic inorganic chemistry; air-/moisture-sensitive chemistry; use of high pressure gases; reactor design and use; molecular and solid-state characterisation techniques; catalyst testing (batch autoclaves and flow); design of experiments (DoE) methods; and mechanistic studies (including kinetics and operando investigations).