Reims Institute of Molecular Chemistry (UMR CNRS 7312)
Our Identity : Molecular Chemistry
The research work done at the Institute of Molecular Chemistry encompasses various basic aspects of molecular chemistry: synthetic methodology, reactivity and molecular engineering, green chemistry, advanced analytical methods, with many projects interfacing with
- fine chemistry, biomass valorization
- life sciences (biomolecules, pharmaceutical chemistry, cosmetics)
- environnemental sciences (diagnosis, prevention, remediation),
- materials science (elaboration, structural and functional properties)
Organization
The Institute is organized into 5 Research Teams
- Methodology for organic synthesis
- Biomolecules: synthesis and action mechanisms
- Coordination chemistry
- Chemistry of Natural Substances
- Functional polymer and networks
Academics, Staff and Students
About 100 people are currently working in the Institute
- 45 academics
- 11 CNRS staff (6 senior researchers, 1 junior res., 4 engineers)
- 18 engineers, technical and administrative staffs
- 30 graduate students and post-doctorants
Fields of Expertise
Organic synthesis – Catalysis – Coordination chemistry – Therapeutical chemistry – Natural substances – Separation methods – Organic structural analysis – Macromolecular chemistry – Encapsulation – Chemical valorization of biomass – Molecular modelling – Pharmaceutical Technology – Polymer materials - Environmental chemistry – Enzyme inhibition
Methodology for organic synthesis
6 Academics, 2 Researchers CNRS, 1 Research Engineer
Coordinator: Dr Jean-Bernard Behr
- Catalysis
- Photochemistry
- Synthesis of organometallics (Pd, Ti, Zr…)
- Valorisation of biomass
keywords: Transition metals chemistry, chemistry of heteroelements (F, S, Si…), radical reactions, asymmetric synthesis, reaction mechanism studies, carbohydrate chemistry, glucides, detergents , bioactive molecules.
Biomolecules: synthesis and action mechanisms
16 Academics, 1 Researchers CNRS, 1 Research Engineer
Coordinator: Dr Arnaud Haudrechy
- Anti-cancer candidates
- Aminoacids, peptides, peptidomimetics
- Nucleosides and nucleotides
- Heteroaromatics and/or terpene-type compounds
- Carbohydrate chemistry and agro-sources
- Molecular modelling
keywords: Enzymatic inhibition, G-quadruplex ligands, DNA photodamage, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, carbohydrates, glycosidase inhibitors, chemoenzymatic synthesis, valorisation of biomass.
Coordination chemistry
11 Academics, 2 Research Engineers
Coordinator: Prof. Emmanuel Guillon
- Health
Complexes for therapy and imaging (optical and magnetic) → Photo-Dynamic Therapy Molecular and nanoparticular probes for imaging (MRI and optical imaging)
- Environment
Ionic liquids, dendrimers and surfactants (biosourced)
keywords: transition metals; lanthanides; PDT; luminescence; MRI; characterization of complexes (structure, properties, stability); solid-solution interface; surface characterization; ionic liquids; dendrimers; valorisation of biomass.
Chemistry of Natural Substances
6 Academics, 1 Researcher CNRS, 3 Engineers & technicians
Coordinator: Dr Jean-Marc Nuzillard
- Isolation, purification of complex natural products (saponins, terpenes, carbohydrates, alkaloids, polyphenols)
Centrifugal partition chromatography
- Structure elucidation by NMR and MS
Advanced NMR methods
keywords: secondary metabolites, peptides and proteins from plants; pharmacologically active natural products; cosmetic active ingredients; structure elucidation by computer; micro-imaging by NMR; new extractive/separative methods.
Functional polymers and networks
6 Academics, 1 Researcher CNRS, 1 Research Engineer
Coordinator: Prof. Xavier Coqueret
- Clean processes for polymer crosslinking
- Encapsulation (for cosmetics or therapeutic purposes)
- Radiation chemistry
- Bio-based monomers and polymers
keywords: Starch,«green monomers»,oligo- and polysaccharides, lignin, grafting, polymerisation, biodegradation, clean processes, micro- nano- bio-encapsulation, vectorisation, gels, functional materials, composites.
Main Scientific Equipments :
- NMR spectrometers at 300, 500 and 600 MHz (Solution, HR-MAS, solid state, imaging)
- ESR spectrometer
- Mass spectrometers : MALDI-ToF, GCT, ESI-Q-TOF
- X-Ray Diffraction
- Atomic emission and absorption spectrophotometers (ICP-AES)
- Spectrofluorimeters
- Potentiometry, voltamperometry, polarography
- UV-visible, FTIR (MIR, NIR, ATR), Polarimeters
- Chromatographic methods CPC, HPLC, GC, FPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, CES
- Pilot Extraction Plat-form (grinder, centrifugators, L/L, ASE, EPC,
- extractors, …)
- Microanalysis (C, H, N, S)
- Malvern nanosizer (DLS, SLS)
- Peptide synthetizer, oligonucleotide synthetizer
- Radiation sources and processors (UV, electron beam)
- Mini-extruder, tensile testing machine
- Thermophysical analysis (DSC, DMA)
- Plat-form for molecular modelling (Romeo URCA)
Plat-Form For Analytics and Chemical Transformation - PlAneT
The PlAneT platform operated by our Institute supports the activity of academic and industrial research laboratories located on our campus and in the Champagne Ardenne region. PlAneT covers a whole range of advanced structural characterization methods for molecular compounds as well quantitative chemical analysis. State-of–the-art equipments and expert scientists provide routine analysis as well as on-demand analytical service.
Contact : Dr. Dominique Harakat > dominique.harakat@univ-reims.fr
ICMR Supports Academic Curricula and Training at URCA
Master of Science degrees Field :« Biology, Chemistry, Life Sciences »
Master « Chemistry, Natural Products, Drugs »
- Chemistry (Organic, Pharmaceutical, Inorganic, Polymer) (CHIMO)
- Natural Products: production and valorisation (PROVALI)
- Drugs : Product Quality and Regulatory Affairs (MQR)
Master « Engineering of Natural and Industrial Environments »
- Security, Quality, Hygiene, Environment (SQHE)
- Environmental Management of Wastes (MEDE)
Master « Production and valorisation of agro-sources/agromolecules »
- Speciality « Design Elaboration and Performances of Products derived from Agromolecules »
- Alimentary and non-food valorisation of agro-sources
Overview of the Research Projects
Projects supported in the frame of State RegionProjects Contract CPER 2007-2013
- PlAneT: Platform for analytics and Chemical Transformation
- FURASYNTH: Developmentof a set of synthesis methods hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF)
- XYLOCOS: New moleculesbased Xylose of Plant origin for anti-aging applications chemo-enzymatic synthesis and evaluation of the biological properties
Projects funded by the French national Research Agency 
- RafiA:Elaboration oftextile fibres by photopolymerization of biobased monomers
- CAPSHYDR: Fabrication,characterization and modelling of capsules under constraints hydrodynamic
- ANTIBIO-T: Development of newantibacterial agents that target the metalloenzyme GcpE
- xPC:Intensificationof reactions and purifications by liquid centrifugal processes
- HFOrgCat: “5-hydroxyfuran-2 (5H) as a platform molecule developing new “one-pot” asymmetric reactions using organocatalysts"
Networks and thematic groups of CNRS
- Chemistry and Processes for Sustainable Development : Solvolysis of lignins, monomers derived from itaconic acid, levulinic acid as a plat-form molecule, ….
- National Chemiotheque
Federative Structures related to Health Research
- Federative Research Structure Cap Santé: Interactions Cell Microenvironnement
- Cancer therapy, microenvironnement and tumor development: natural and synthetic compounds for metalloproteinase inhibition, antiroliferative metabolites from biomass
- Treatment of infection, of inflammation and tissue reparation: synthesis of MMP inhibitors, vegetal matrikines
-
Dynamic and functional imaging:tissue imaging using NMR
- Federative Research Structure Condorcet
- Cancéropôle Grand-Est
Projects supported by Competitiveness Clusters
