Prof. Christophe LEN
PSL Research University, Chimie ParisTech, Paris, France
Title: Driving efficient, safe, and environmentaly friendly bio-based chemical production
Abstract:
The principles of sustainable development, the bio-economy, and the circular economy are increasingly being applied to the synthesis of industrially relevant molecules. In this context, furfural and glycerol, which serve as platform molecules, are the subject of diverse research approaches aimed at improving their conversion into valuable compounds. Given the current momentum in promoting green chemistry for sustainable development, chemists have recently pioneered catalytic reactions utilizing innovative technologies, such as continuous flow processes.
This study highlights recent advancements in the continuous production of derivatives obtained from furanic and polyol derivatives. Among the noteworthy molecules of interest are furfuryl alcohol, levulinic acid and its esters, gamma valerolactone, acrolein, quinoline-type derivatives, solketal, triacetin, and glycerol oligomers. These derivatives are synthesized from biomass or carbohydrates, utilizing both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Various reaction parameters, including temperature, catalyst and feedstock loadings, and solvent types, have been meticulously fine-tuned with a focus on time efficiency. The conceptualization, synthesis, and detailed examination of the physicochemical properties of these derivatives will be comprehensively addressed [1-6].
References
P1 Q. Liu, P. Vermaut, I. Malpartida, J. Thiel, C. Len, R. Nguyen. Biphasic continuous esterification of choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents using ICHeM technology: a step toward new hydrotropes with potential anticorrosive properties. Chem. Eur. J. 2025, 0, e01702.
P2 M. Ronda-Leal, A.M. Balu, R. Luque, F. Mauriello, A. Ricchebuono, C. Len, A.A. Romero, E. Paone. Continuous flow production of g-valerolactone from methyl levulinate promoted by MOF-derived Al2O3-ZrO2/C catalysts. RSC Sustainability, 2025, 3, 2273-2285
P3 R. Nguyen, S. Halloumi, I. Malpartida, C. Len. Solvent-free production of triacetin from glycerol through complementary mechanochemical, biphasic and catalytic approaches using ICHeM technology. Org. Process Res. Dev. 2025, 29, 769-777.
P4 R. Nguyen, S. Haloumi, I. Malpartida, C. Len. Impact in continuous flow heated mechanochemical technology: an improved solketal synthesis. J. Flow Chem. 2025, 15, 1-9
P5 C.R. Sagandira, C. Len. Microwave-assisted continuous flow synthesis of Propofol. Sustainable Chem. Pharm. 2024, 42, 101793.
P6 R. Nguyen, A. Auvigne, A.M. Perez Merchan, I. Malpartida, C. Len. New highthroughput mechanochemistry assisted continuous flow for the formation of deep eutectic solvents. Org. Process Res. Dev. 2024, 28, 3560-3569.
Biography:
Prof. Dr. Christophe Len received his Ph.D. in 1995 from the Université de Picardie Jules Verne followed by a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Hull (UK). In 1997, he became assistant Professor at UPJV and was promoted to full Professor in 2004 at the Université de Poitiers (France). In 2010, he moved as full Professor to the Université de Technologie de Compiègne – UTC (France). Since 2017, he has developed his research at Chimie ParisTech (France). He has published ~ 270 original publications and review articles, 13 book chapters, and 11 patents (H 51, 8538 citations, Scopus). Among recent awards and recognition to his scientific career, he was promoted Honorary Professor of the University of Hull, England (2012–2018), Honorary Professor at the University of Delhi, India (2022), Honorary Professor at the Xi’an Jiaotong University, China (2022-2025) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, 2015). In 2017, he was honored with the 2017 Glycerine Innovation Award sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute and the National Biodiesel Board. His current research explores organic chemistry and continuous flow.