Christophe Darcel

Christophe Darcel is a Full Professor at the University of Rennes 1, specializing in homogeneous catalysis with a particular focus on iron-based catalysts. His research spans multiple areas of sustainable chemistry, utilizing earth abundant transition metals for various catalytic transformations.

Dr. Darcel earned his PhD in 1995 from the University of Rennes 1 under the supervision of C. Bruneau and P. H. Dixneuf, focusing on ruthenium and palladium catalyzed transformations of functional alkynes. He completed postdoctoral research in Geneva with W. Oppolzer on asymmetric synthesis of natural products using sultam auxiliary, followed by a Humboldt fellowship with P. Knochel in Marburg developing chiral zinc derivatives. He served as an associate professor at the University of Cergy-Pontoise and the University of Burgundy before his 2007 appointment as full professor at University of Rennes 1.

His research program centers on homogeneous catalysis with earth abundant transition metals, particularly iron. Key research areas include catalyzed hydroelementation reactions (hydrosilylation of carbonyl and carboxylic derivatives, hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes), iron-catalyzed borylation and methylation reactions, novel hydrogenation and hydrogen borrowing processes, ruthenium-catalyzed C-H bond activation, and asymmetric catalysis using P-chirogenic organophosphorus ligands. His work emphasizes sustainable chemistry approaches using non-noble metals and benign oxidants.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on iron catalysis for sustainable synthesis, with significant contributions to hydrosilylation chemistry, reductive amination processes, and C-H functionalization. His research demonstrates a consistent trend toward developing practical, environmentally friendly catalytic methods that utilize abundant metals instead of precious metals, with applications in pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis.

Dr. Darcel teaches at both Licence and Master levels, with courses in Homogeneous Catalysis, Organometallic Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, and Green Chemistry. He leads research within the Labcom GreenCARE (Demeta-UR1-CNRS joint lab), which focuses on sustainable chemical processes including lignin upgrading. His work has resulted in multiple patents filed between 2018-2019 related to sustainable chemical processes.