Chemistry
Biocatalysis, green solvents and non-conventional solvents (e.g., ionic liquids), micro-wave assisted
synthesis are some of the green tools used by our organic chemists to develop sustainable processes allowing the
conversion of biomass-derived molecules into bio-based platform chemicals, polymers/materials and end-products.
Our two chemistry laboratories not only include classical apparatus but also top-of-the-art equipment such as four
automated flash chromatography systems equipped with UV, DAD, ELSD and MS detectors (Interchim), a TLC-MS system (
Advion), two multi-syntheses reactors (Radley), two Schlenk lines, one solvent drying system (MBraun), one
photoreactor (Rayonet) and a microwave system (Anton Paar). To scale-up the novel processes developed
in-house and produce 500 g-1 kg samples, URD ABI has a dedicated Kilolab zone equipped with a 5L Bioreactor
(Radley), a 10 L reactor (Optimus) as well as a short-path distillation system (200 g/h to 2 kg/h) (Optimus).