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BIOBASED FEEDSTOCKS
core RESEARCH programme: BIOBASED FEEDSTOCKS
In this core programme, we will develop new ways to extract the greatest value from a variety of sustainable chemical feedstocks, for example agricultural and manufacturing waste and other emerging potential feedstocks such as plastics and seaweed. Turning these waste streams and feedstocks into value-added chemicals is a key step in developing a circular economy, and it also prevents losing their already rich functionality.
To integrate renewable feedstocks into supply chains as alternatives to fossil fuels, this programme looks into challenges such as designing effective catalytic processes, being able to work with mixed and impure feedstocks, and developing or predicting specific properties from renewable resource upgrading.
PROGRAMME LEADS & Research Team
Simon's research focus is utilising renewable energy in catalytic transformations using a wide range of approaches, including electrocatalysis and visible light photocatalysis to upgrade resources such as CO2 and bio-ethanol into valuable commodity chemicals.
Programme Lead (Bath)
Ben's work aims to understand the reactions and manipulation of carbohydrates and proteins, in order to lead the design, synthesis and modification of potential therapeutic and biotechnologically applicable systems.
Programme Lead (Oxford)
Greg has experience in researching CO2 utilization in oxygenated block polymers, focusing on aspects of catalysis and functional material development. As one of iCAST’s core postdoctoral researchers based in Oxford, he will work on investigating sustainable polymer-biopolymer hybrid materials.
Core Researcher (Oxford)
Jon is an iCAST core postdoctoral researcher based in Bath. He is an experienced academic and industrial chemist with expertise in organic chemistry applied to bio-macromolecular applications including in the complex analysis and upgrading of real waste feedstocks.
Core Researcher (Bath)
Xuejian has experience in organic chemistry, including total synthesis of natural glycoconjugates and development of novel glycosylation methodologies. He is now focusing on the post-translational modifications of protein and related glycosylation reactions.
Core Researcher (Oxford)
key publications
Selective Catalytic Synthesis of 1,2- and 8,9-Cyclic Limonene Carbonates as Versatile Building Blocks for Novel Hydroxyurethanes. Chem. Eur. J. 2020, 26, 7405–7415 (Hintermair, Davidson)
Sustainable catalytic protocols for the solvent free epoxidation and anti-dihydroxylation of the alkene bonds of biorenewable terpene feedstocks using H2O2 as oxidant. Green Chem., 2020, 22, 513-524 (Hintermair, Davidson)
Polymers from sugars and unsaturated fatty acids: ADMET polymerisation of monomers derived from D-xylose, D-mannose and castor oil. Polym. Chem., 2020, 11, 2681-2691 (Buchard)
- A chemo-enzymatic oxidation cascade to activate C–H bonds with in situ generated H2O2. Nat. Commun., 2019, 10, 4178 (Freakley)
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