Societal concerns about the environmental, financial, and ethical sustainability of industrial practices and their downstream effects require chemists to respond to the global sustainability crisis. Research within the Clapson Group explores emerging methods in green chemistry to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs) including affordable and clean energy (7), responsible consumption and production (12), climate action (13), quality education (4), and reduced inequalities (10). Our research focuses on the development of base metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts for the transformation of small molecules (CO2, NOx, etc.) to value added products, providing less expensive, safer, and more efficient alternatives to current precious metal systems. We leverage methods such as systems thinking, two-eyed seeing, and life cycle analysis to assess green metrics within each project, providing measurable comparisons to current industrial processes.

Considering green chemistry through the lens of catalysis, three themes emerge:

1. Sustainable transformations: improving current catalytic processes to be cheaper, safer, and more efficient
2. Green catalyst development: improving ligand synthesis and employing base metals or main group species to lower waste and explore novel methodologies
3. Sustainable targets: transforming pollutants into value-added materials

Research projects exploring these themes are available:

Project 2: Leveraging Lewis Acidic Moieties in the Secondary Coordination Sphere for CO2 and Nitrate Reduction:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrates (NOx, X = 3, 2, 1), are some of the most recognized environmental pollutants resulting in global warming and water contamination. The most desirable solution for their removal is chemical reduction to value-added C1 and N1 feedstocks for chemical industries. The use of versatile, yet cost-effective catalysts to enable the conversion of pollutants into usable chemical feedstocks is an ever-growing field of research. Base metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) are experiencing renewed interest in catalytic applications as a sustainable alternative to current precious metal systems, reducing cost and toxicity while allowing for novel one-electron transformations. Pincer ligands have proven highly successful in supporting base metal catalysts due to their readily tunable steric and electronic properties. This research focuses on the development of PCP pincer ligands featuring boron and silicon motifs in the secondary coordination sphere for applications on base metals (Fe, Co, Ni) in the activation and conversion of CO2 and nitrates. The formation of strong Si-O and B-O/N bonds upon CO2 or NOx coordination to the metal center will weaken corresponding C/N-O bonds, allowing for further reactivity.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Synthesis and characterization of target substrates. Application of substrates in small molecule transformations to value added substrates – preparing, setting-up, and carrying out experiments and critically analyzing results in relationship to current literature
• Participation in group meetings – research updates, problem-sets, literature review
• Preparation of supporting information documents, internal reports, and manuscripts where appropriate
• Upholding commitments to equity, diversity, inclusivity, accessibility, and reconciliation (EDI-AR)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current UPEI student
• Applicants must have a minimum average of 80% in CHEM2720 – Inorganic I. Completion of CHEM3740 – Inorganic II or CHEM4860 – Advanced Inorganic (or equivalent) is considered an asset
• Experience with organic and inorganic synthesis. Previous experience with air-free synthetic methods (Schlenk and glovebox) is considered an asset
• Demonstrated experience with common characterization methods including multinuclear NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and HRMS
• Prior training in laboratory safety (WHIMS and familiarity with UPEI policies is an asset)
• Ability to work in a team environment and balance multiple projects
• Ability to work in-person in a wet-laboratory environment (remote work is unavailable)

In your application, please include a cover letter highlighting current chemistry skill set, previous research experience, interested project, and ability to work as a team. (1 page maximum), a resume (5 pages maximum) and a copy of your transcripts.

Priority will be given to University of Prince Edward Island students in accordance with Recruitment, Selection, Hiring and Employment Policies and the Procedures manual.