Teams cooperating within the frame of this grant project possess complementary expertise, focusing on the theoretical (in silico) studies of practically relevant molecules and their synthetic transformations, and on the conventional design, synthesis and evaluation of new ligands suitable for applications in catalysis. This knowledge will be advantageously combined during the course of the grant project to provide a basis for a more rational ligand design, possible understanding of the studied catalytic processes and rationalization of their outcome. The project partners, researchers from the University of Bergen (Norway) and from Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic), will work in accordance and in parallel to achieve the proposed research goals, which include the detailed theoretical characterization of the studied and anticipated catalysts (ligands), in silico study of the reaction mechanism of the cross-coupling reactions to be studied as a part of catalyst evaluation, preparation and detailed structural characterization of new polar phosphine donors and their detailed catalytic evaluation in several cross-coupling reactions. The project is conceived as an introductory study with background in the successful past work of both research teams. As such, it can open new research directions and thereby provide a basis for future cooperation of the teams involved in solving the grant project.
Charles University in Prague is the oldest (founded in 1348), most renowned and largest university in the Czech Republic (17 faculties, 50000 students, 3 institutes and 6 centers) and one of the oldest universities in Europe. It ranks 201-300 in the Academic Ranking of the World Universities and its key priority is to enhance its status as a research university.
The University of Bergen was founded in 1946 and has 6 faculties and 17000 students. It is the most cited University in Norway. It ranks 201-300 in the Academic Ranking of the World Universities and its key priority is high quality and diversity.