We are always looking for highly-motivated individuals to join the LCPO! Interested undergraduate and graduate students can apply to the following offers. They are also strongly encouraged to contact LCPO's researchers directly.

PhD in (Macro)molecular Chemistry: The Superpowers of Non-N-Heterocyclic Carbenes – Applications in Materials Chemistry, Catalysis, and Upcycling of End-of-Life Polymers

PhD in (Macro)molecular Chemistry: The Superpowers of Non-N-Heterocyclic Carbenes – Applications in Materials Chemistry, Catalysis, and Upcycling of End-of-Life Polymers figure

Category: Ph. D.

Duration: 3 yrs

Team: Polymerization catalyses and engineering

Salary: 2300€ gross salary

Funding: University of Bordeaux

Laboratory: Team 1 LCPO

Project summary

Carbenes, which are divalent carbon species once deemed too unstable for practical use, were tamed through the pioneering work of Bertrand1 and Arduengo,2 who synthesized the first stable singlet carbenes.3 In particular, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) revolutionized the fields of organometallic and organic catalysis.4 Now, it is non-NHC carbenes that are opening exciting new avenues.5,6 These species, true "molecular Swiss Army knives”, exhibit exceptional reactivity that sets them apart from their NHC counterparts, both in their ground and excited states. The goal of this thesis is to leverage their unique electronic properties to access novel structures and reactivities. Targeted applications include "green" catalysis, the design of smart materials (magnetic, optoelectronic7), and surface functionalization. An innovative aspect focuses on upcycling: using these carbenes in their excited state to modify polymers derived from waste and give them a second life. The thesis will combine organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and catalysis, while employing a range of characterization techniques such as multinuclear NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Size Exclusion Chromatography, and more. This project lies at the intersection of fundamental chemistry and technological challenges, with strong potential to contribute to the ecological transition. The results could inspire solutions for energy, the circular economy, or medicine, while pushing the boundaries of carbene chemistry. The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic, motivated, and enjoy working in a team with collaborators from diverse scientific backgrounds.

Starting date : September–October 2026

Contact : Joan Vignolle

1-Igau, Alain.; Grutzmacher, Hansjorg.; Baceiredo, Antoine.; Bertrand, Guy. Analogous .Alpha.,.Alpha.’-Bis-Carbenoid, Triply Bonded Species: Synthesis of a Stable .Lambda.3-Phosphino Carbene-.Lambda.5-Phosphaacetylene. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110 (19), 6463

2-Arduengo, A. J. I.; Harlow, R. L.; Kline, M. A Stable Crystalline Carbene. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113 (1), 361

3-Bourissou, D.; Guerret, O.; Gabbaï, F. P.; Bertrand, G. Stable Carbenes. Chem. Rev. 2000, 100 (1), 39

4-Hopkinson, M. N.; Richter, C.; Schedler, M.; Glorius, F. An Overview of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes. Nature 2014, 510 (7506), 485

5-Vignolle, J.; Cattoën, X.; Bourissou, D. Stable Noncyclic Singlet Carbenes. Chem. Rev. 2009, 109 (8), 3333

6-Melaimi, M.; Jazzar, R.; Soleilhavoup, M.; Bertrand, G. Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbenes (CAACs): Recent Developments. Angew Chem Int Ed 2017, 56 (34), 10046

7-Sobczak, Q.; Kunche, A.; Magis, D.; Carrizo, D. S.; Miqueu, K.; Sotiropoulos, J.-M.; Cloutet, E.; Brochon, C.; Landais, Y.; Taton, D.; Vignolle, J. Direct and Selective Access to Amino-Poly(Phenylene Vinylenes)s with Switchable Properties by Dimerizing Polymerization of Aminoaryl Carbenes. Nat Commun 2021, 12 (1), 4093