Work Package 6 : Intensification of synthesis processes
WORK MODULE 6: INTENSIFICATION OF SYNTHESIS PROCESSES
The objective of the MT6 is to develop an intensified process to produce the most promising dendrimers and/or polymers developed and characterized during MT 3 to 5. This study is therefore carried out after the preliminary development in the laboratory. The aim here is to define an optimized process to produce these molecules in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. The chemical industry is constantly looking for cheaper, more profitable, cleaner, safer and more energy-efficient processes, needs that can be met by process intensification. Process intensification is a multidisciplinary approach, relatively recent in the chemical industry, that focuses on improving both manufacturing processes and associated chemical reactions. In fact, this approach is naturally associated with green chemistry and can be considered in three ways: the design of multi-functional reactors (for example, allowing several stages to be carried out in one step), the use of alternative conditions (high pressure, flow regime, etc.) or continuous flow (micro/mesofluidics, etc.).
Within the framework of this project, the objective is to define a continuous operating protocol to produce in satisfactory quantities the various selected dendrimers/polymers. Although it is difficult to describe the process at this stage without the prior work of WP3-5, solution volumes of 5-10 mL/min (i.e. 1.8 to 3.6L over an 8-hour shift) can be considered as reasonably ambitious targets. This type of process will demonstrate to entrepreneurs in the INTERREG FWVL area the validity and industrial feasibility of the molecules developed in this project.
In addition, the decoration of dendrimers catalyzed by enzymes with antioxidant molecules, for example, will be carried out on a larger scale (2 or 3L).