ESR 4
An innovative catalytic system for the exchange reaction of phosphate esters with N-nucleophiles towards the production of sustainable and recyclable phosphorus flame-retardant additives
 

• TITLE: An innovative catalytic system for the exchange reaction of phosphate esters with N-nucleophiles
  towards the production of sustainable and recyclable phosphorus flame-retardant additives

• HOST: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium)

• MAIN SUPERVISOR: Prof. dr. Dirk De Vos (KUL)

• CO-SUPERVISOR: Prof. dr. Thomas Lucyshyn (MUL)

• START DATE: 01.04.2020

• DURATION: 36 months

• REQUIRED DEGREE: Master degree in Chemistry, in Bio-engineering or any equivalent degree

• REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS: We expect a solid base of (applied) organic chemistry, especially oriented towards industrial production. Expertise in organic analysis via NMR, (GC)MS or FTIR is required. Familiarity with homogeneous and / or heterogeneous catalysis is a plus.

• OBJECTIVES: The objective is the development of a sustainable method for preparing new and recyclable phosphorus based flame-retardant additives, in view of the need to replace brominated compounds. To this aim, Lewis acidic catalysts for exchange reactions of phosphate esters with N-nucleophiles (like anilines) will be studied. In particular, solid catalysts are envisioned to facilitate product workup. Besides, the fate of different flame retardants will be evaluated in solvent-based recycling and reprocessing operations.

• PLANNED SECONDMENTS: MUL for analysing the fate of flame retardants during the (re)processing in polymers such as polyolefins (M23-M25 and M35-37); Internship at Vanheede (M17-18) to learn how additives affect sorting and recycling on industrial level (and tailor accordingly afterwards).