Postdoctoral researcher position is available at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry under the scientific guidance of dr. E. Bouwman.
Bio-ethanol is one of the alternative fuels that is obtained from biomass. The efficiency of ethanol as a fuel, however, is limited due to its relatively high oxygen content. In addition, blending of ethanol in conventional gasoline is limited due to water sensitivity, rendering phase separation in the tank a serious problem at high ethanol concentrations. Lowering of the oxygen content (=hydroxyl content) by conversion of ethanol to 1-butanol or highly branched hydrocarbons may solve this problem. The aim is to design and develop new homogeneous or heterogeneous transition metal catalysts that can be used to carry out mild transfer hydrogenation of intermediates in cascade aldol condensation reactions. Dehydrogenation of bioethanol in the first step yields acetaldehyde that may react in an aldol condensation to form 3-hydroxybutanal. Dehydration and hydrogenation of 3-hydroxybutanal may result in the formation of butyraldehyde or 1-butanol. The 1-butanol can be used as additive for gasoline instead of ethanol – with the advantage of the lower water content and chances of phase separation. Butyraldehyde can be used in the production of 2‑ethylhexanol – a several million tonnes/a large volume bulk chemical used in plasticizers. Further aldol condensation of the butanal may result in higher hydrocarbons.
Background
Candidates should have a strong background in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis and preferably have experience with the handling of autoclaves. Employment is for one year, with a possibility for a second year.
The project will be carried out in the group of dr. E. Bouwman in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry.
Further information can be obtained from and letters of application can be sent to:
Dr E. Bouwman, email: bouwman@chem.leidenuniv.nl