PIF2024 - Doping polycyclic hydrocarbons with p-block elements: a game-changing approach to new reactivity, structure and function (PID2023-146324NB-I00)

Centers: IQAC-CSIC and IQS-URL (Barcelona) Offered: 4-year PIF contract The structure and reactivity of cyclic carbon-based molecules—ranging from cyclopentane and benzene to graphene and nanotubes—are foundational to organic chemistry. Through the simple exercise of substituting individual carbon atoms with p-block elements such as boron, nitrogen, or high-valent halogens, one can envision the creation of unprecedented new ring systems. This approach serves as a powerful strategy for the molecular engineering of bioactive cores, catalysts, and organic optoelectronic materials. However, the practical synthesis of these molecules is often highly challenging, presenting a rich area of opportunity for inventive chemists ready to tackle these complexities. Our Barcelona-based team (BISi-Bonds) began exploring new synthetic methodology towards doped ring structures, recently reporting the first examples of rigid cycles based on halogen(III) atoms (JACS 2023), and offering a new approach boron-nitrogen (BN) doped aromatic compounds (Chem. Sci. 2024). To continue with this far-reaching project, we are now seeking a PhD candidate to work on new p-block element doped cyclic structure, with focus on super-acid materials, and on BN-doping for enhanced organic opto-electronic cores. Through this project, you will gain a deeper understanding of organic chemistry and molecular design, and will apply your creativity to chart routes to new doped heterocycles.