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 Research field:

Our researches are on both fundamental and applied aspects in tailor-made organometallic compounds, nanostructured hybrid materials and catalysis. Work involves synthesis, testing and characterization of novel organometallic compounds for a wide range of applications particularly in the areas of both green homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Uses of well-defined molecular organometallic compounds as building blocks for synthesis of functional nanomaterials is another part of our scientific focus for generating (nano)structured heterogeneous catalysts and establishing structure activity/reactivity-relationship between homogeneous and heterogenized catalysts.

These studies are ultimately directed toward assessing the roles of organometallics in catalysis (including green and energy chemistry) and developing new catalytic reactions for converting readily available small molecules such as CO₂ and olefins into more valuable products.

This chemistry resulted in the discovery of a number of greener catalysts and new catalytic reactions, such as i) the development of non-toxic and low-cost catalysts for CO₂/epoxide copolymerization (which represents a greener technology in term of energy cost) for the replacement of daily-life oil-based polymers and medicinal application, ii) the production of unique ultra-high molecular weight of polyisoprene for high performance tires, iii) the selective transformation of ethylene into useful building blocks for the downstream refinement of oil (as plasticizers, lubricants and pharmaceuticals products).

His current research is focussed on developing green routes from waste carbon dioxide to a variety of polymers as well as the hydrodeoxygenation of biomass and derivatives into aromatics and cycloalkanes.

"Nano Processes and Nano Materials" 2009

"Organometallic and Catalysis" 2008 & 2011-

"Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry" 2016

"Experimental Inorganic Chemistry" 2017-2023

KJEM124 "Chemical Synthesis and Analysis" 2023-

 

Other link:

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Master’s thesis

Conference lecture

Academic article

Conference poster

Bachelor’s thesis

Media interview

Professional article

Conference abstract

Academic book chapter

Academic literature review

Popular science article

Doctoral thesis (PhD)

Other presentation

Lecture

Publications

1- E. Le Roux, M. Chabanas, A. Baudouin, A. de Mallmann, C. Copéret, E. A. Quadrelli, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset, W. Lukens, A. Lesage, L. Emsley, G. J. Sunley. "Detailed Structural Investigation of the Grafting of [Ta(=CHtBu)(CH₂tBu)₃] and [Cp*Ta(CH₃)₄] on Silica Partially Dehydroxylated at 700°C and the Activity of the Grafted Complexes toward Alkane Metathesis", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126, 13391.

2- J.-M. Basset, C. Copéret, L. Lefort, B. M. Maunders, O. Maury, E. Le Roux, G. Saggio, S. Soignier, D. Soulivong, G. J. Sunley, M. Taoufik, J. Thivolle-Cazat. "Primary Products and Mechanistic Considerations in Alkane Metathesis", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 8604.

3- E. Le Roux, M. Taoufik, M. Chabanas, D. Alcor, A. Beaudoin, C. Copéret, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset, A. Lesage, S. Hediger, L. Emsley. "Well-Defined Surface Tungstenocarbyne Complexes through the Reaction of [W(≡CtBu)(CH₂tBu)₃] with Silica", Organometallics, 2005, 24, 4274.

4- E. Le Roux, M. Taoufik, C. Copéret, A. de Mallmann, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset, B. M. Maunders, G. J. Sunley. "Development of Tungsten-Based Heterogeneous Alkane Metathesis Catalysts Through a Structure-Activity Relationship", Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2005, 44, 6755.

5- S. Soigner, M. Taoufik, E. Le Roux, G. Saggio,  F. Lefebvre, A. de Mallmann, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset, G. J. Sunley, B. M.  Maunders. "Tantalum Hydrides Supported on MCM-41 Mesoporous Silica: Activation of Methane and Thermal Evolution of the Tantalum-Methyl species", Organometallics, 2006, 25, 1569.

6- M. Taoufik, E. Le Roux, C. Copéret, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset, B. M. Maunders, G. J. Sunley. "Alumina Supported Tungsten Hydrides, New Efficient Catalysts for Alkane Metathesis", Top. Catal., 2006, 40, 65.

7- J. Joubert, F. Delbecq, P. Sautet, E. Le Roux, M. Taoufik, C. Thieuleux, F. Blanc, C. Copéret, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset. "Molecular Understanding of Alumina Supported Single-Site Catalysts by a Combination of Experiment and Theory", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2006, 128, 9157.

8- E. Le Roux, M. Taoufik, A. Baudouin, C. Copéret, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset, G. J. Sunley, B. M. Maunders. "Silica-Alumina-Supported, Tungsten-Based Heterogeneous Alkane Metathesis Catalyst: Is it Closer to a Silica- or an Alumina-Supported System?", Adv. Synth. Catal. 2007, 349, 231.

9- E. Le Roux, R. Malacea, E. Manoury, R. Poli, L. Gonsalvi, M. Peruzzini. “Highly Efficient Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Alkyl Aryl Ketones Catalyzed by Iridium Complexes with Chiral Planar Ferrocenyl Phosphino-Thioether Ligands”, Adv. Synth. Catal. 2007, 349, 309.

10- M. Taoufik, E. Le Roux, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset. "Direct Transformation of Ethylene into Propylene Catalyzed by a Tungsten Hydride Supported on Alumina: An Example of Trifunctional Single-Site Catalysis", Angew. Chem. Int., Ed. Engl., 2007, 46, 7202. Selected as ”Very Important Paper” by the Editors of Angew. Chem.

11- E. Le Roux, F. Nief,F. Jaroschik, K. W. Törnroos, R. Anwander. "Mono-Phosphacyclopentadienyl Bis(tetramethylaluminate) Lanthanide Complexes", Dalton Trans., 2007, 4866.

12- N. Merle, M. Taoufik, M. Nayer, E. Le Roux,  R. M. Gauvin,  F. Lefebvre, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset. "Development of a Well-Defined Silica-Supported Tungstenocarbyne Complex as Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for Alkyne Metathesis", J. Organomet. Chem., 2008,693, 1733.

13- C. H. Gerber, E. Le Roux, K. W. Törnroos, R. Anwander. "Elusive Trimethyllanthanum: Snapshots of Extensive Methyl Group Degradation in La–Al Heterobimetallic Complexes”, 2008, Chem. Eur. J., 14, 9555.

14- N. Merle, F. Stoffelbach, M. Taoufik, E. Le Roux, J. Thivolle-Cazat, J.-M. Basset. "Selective and Unexpected Transformation of 2-Methylpropane to 2,3-Dimethylbutane and 2-Methylpropene to 2,3-Dimethylbutene Catalyzed by an Alumina-Supported Tungsten Hydride", Chem. Commun., 2009, 2523.

15- K. C. Szeto, S. Norsic, L. Hardou, A. Baudoin, J. Thivolle-Cazat, E. Le Roux, S. Chakka, C. Papaioannou, J.-M. Basset, M. Taoufik. "Non-Oxidative Coupling of Methane Catalysed by Supported Tungsten Hydride onto Alumina and Silica–Alumina in Classical and H₂ Permeable Membrane Fixed-Bed Reactors", Chem. Commun., 2010, 46, 3985.  

16- E. Le Roux, O. Michel, H.-M. Sommerfeldt, Y. Liang, C. Maichle-Mössmer, K. W. Törnroos, R. Anwander. "Grafting of Peralkylated LnII-AlIII Heterobimetallic Complexes onto Periodic Mesoporous Silica KIT-6", Dalton Trans., 2010, 39, 8552. From themed issue

17- E. Le Roux, Y. Liang, M. P. Storz, R. Anwander. "Intramolecular Hydroamination/Cyclization of Aminoalkenes Catalyzed by Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ Grafted onto Periodic Mesoporous Silicas", J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2010, 132,16368.

18- E. Le Roux, N. Merle, K. W. Törnroos. "Synthesis and Characterisation of Trigonal C₂-Chiral Di- and Tetra-Substituted Bis(Oxazoline) Alkyl Zinc Complexes and Their Reactivity Towards Protic Reagents", Dalton Trans., 2011, 40, 1768. 

19- J. Pelletier, J. Espinas, N. Vu, S. Norsic, A. Baudouin, L. Delevoye, J. Trébosc, E. Le Roux, C. Santini, J.-M. Basset, R. M. Gauvin, M. Taoufik. "A Well-Defined Silica-Supported Aluminium Alkyl Through an Unprecedented, Consecutive Two-Step Protonolysis–Alkyl Transfer Mechanism", Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 2979.

20- N. Merle, K. W. Törnroos, V. R. Jensen, E. Le Roux. "Influence of Multidentate N-Donor Ligands on Highly Electrophilic Zinc Initiator for the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Epoxides", J. Organomet. Chem., 2011,696, 1691.

21- N. Popoff, J. Espinas, E. Gouré, O. Boyron,  E. Le Roux, Gauvin R. M., J.-M. Basset, A. De Mallmann, M. Taoufik. "Shifting from Ziegler-Natta to Philips Catalyst? A Simple and Safe Access to Reduced Titanium Systems for Ethylene Polymerization", Macromol. Rapid Commun., 2011, 32, 1921.

22- E. Le Roux, Y. Liang, K. W. Törnroos, F. Nief,  R. Anwander. "Heterogenization of Lanthanum and Neodymium Monophospha-cyclopentadienyl Bis(tetramethylaluminate) Complexes onto Periodic Mesoporous Silica SBA-15", Organometallics, 2012, 31, 6526.

23- Y. Chen, E. Callens, E. Abou-Hamad, N. Merle, A. White, M. Taoufik, C. Copéret, E. Le Roux, J.-M. Basset. "[(≡SiO)Ta^VCl₂Me₂]: A Well-Defined Silica-Supported Tantalum(V) Surface Complex Precursor for the Selective Cocatalyst-Free Trimerization of Ethylene", Angew. Chem. Int., Ed. Engl., 2012, 51, 11886.

24- J. Espinas , J. Pelletier, K. C. Szeto , N. Merle, E. Le Roux, C. Lucas, A. De Mallmann, J.-M. Basset, M. Taoufik, J. Thivolle-Caza. "Preparation and Characterization of Metallacalixarenes Anchored to a Mesoporous Silica SBA-15 LP as Potential Catalysts", Microporous Mesoporous Mater., 2014, 188, 77-85.

25- C. C. Quadri, E. Le Roux. "Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO₂ Catalyzed by Tridentate N-Heterocyclic Carbene Titanium(IV)", Dalton Trans., 2014, 43, 4242. From themed issue

26- E. Le Roux, A. De Mallmann, N. Merles, M. Taoufik,  R. Anwander. "Immobilization of Heteroleptic Bis(oxazoline) Zinc Catalysts on SBA-15 for Asymmetric Hydrosilylation", Organometallics, 2015, 34, 5146.

27- E. Le Roux. "Recent Advances on Tailor-made Titanium Catalysts for Biopolymer Synthesis", Coord. Chem. Rev., 2016, 306, 65.

28 - J. Hessevik, R. Lalrempuia, H. Nsiri, K. W. Törnroos, V. R. Jensen, E. Le Roux. "Sterically (un)Encumbered mer-tridentate N-heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Titanium(IV) for the Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO₂", Dalton Trans., 2016, 45, 14734. From themed issue

29 - Y. Bouhoute, I. del Rosal, K. Szeto, N. Merle, D. Grekov, A. De Mallmann, E. Le Roux, L. Delevoye, R. Gauvin, L. Maron, M. Taoufik. " Modification of Silica-supported Tungsten Neosilyl Oxo Precatalysts: Impact of Substituted Phenol on Activity and Stability in Olefin Metathesis", Catal. Sci. Technol., 2016, 6, 8532.

30- R. Lalrempuia, F. Breivik, K. W. Törnroos, E. Le Roux. "Coordination Behavior of Bis-phenolate Saturated and Unsaturated N-heterocyclic Carbene Ligands to Zirconium: Reactivity and Activity in the Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO₂", Dalton Trans., 2017, 46, 8065.

31- C. C. Quadri, K. W. Törnroos, E. Le Roux. "Di-µ-chlorido-bis{bis[N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)amido]-titanium(III)}", IUCrData, 2017, 2, x171488.

32- C. C. Quadri, R. Lalrempuia, J. Hessevik, K. W. Törnroos, E. Le Roux. "Structural Characterization of Tridentate N-Heterocyclic Carbene Titanium(IV) Benzyloxide, Silyloxide, Acetate, and Azide Complexes and Assessment of Their Efficacies for Catalyzing the Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO₂", Organometallics, 2017, 36, 4477.

33- C. Larabi, N. Merle, F. Lequemener, P. Rouge, E. Berrier, R. M. Gauvin, E. Le Roux, A. de Mallmann, K. C. Szeto, M. Taoufik. "New Synthetic Approach Towards Well-defined Silica Supported Tungsten Bis-oxo, Active Catalysts for Olefin Metathesis", Catal. Commun., 2018, 108, 51.

34- C. C. Quadri, R. Lalrempuia, N. Å. Frøstein, K. W. Törnroos, E. Le Roux. "Steric Factors on Unsymmetrical O-Hydroxyaryl N-heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Prevailing the Stabilization of Single Stereoisomer of Bis-ligated Titanium Complexes", J. Organomet. Chem., 2018, 860, 106.

35- A. A. Bezrukov, K. W. Törnroos, Erwan Le Roux, P. D. C. Dietzel. "Incorporation of an Intact Dimeric Zr₁₂ Oxo Cluster from a Molecular Precursor in a New Zirconium Metal–organic Framework", Chem. Commun., 2018, 54, 2735.

36- E. Le Roux, Y. Liang, R. Anwander. "Silica-Grafted Neodymium Catalysts for the Production of Ultra-High Molecular Weight 1,4-cis-Polyisoprene", ChemCatChem, 2018, 10, 1905. Special Issue on “”.

37- R. Lalrempuia, J. Underhaug, K. W. Törnroos, E. Le Roux. "Anionic hafnium species: an active catalytic intermediate for the coupling of epoxides with CO₂?", Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 7227.

38- L. Suresh, R. Lalrempuia, J. B. Ekeli, F. Gillis-D'Hamers, K. W. Törnroos, V. R. Jensen, E. Le Roux. "Unsaturated and Benzannulated N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Titanium and Hafnium: Impact on Catalysts Structure and Performance in Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO₂", Molecules, 2020, 25, 4364. Special Issue on ""

39- L. Suresh, J. Finnstad, K. W. Törnroos, E. Le Roux. "Bis(phenolate)-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Oxo- and Imido-Vanadium(V)", Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2021, 521, 120301. Special Issue on ""

40- G. Jeantelot, S. P. Følkner, J. I. S. Manegold, M. G. Ingebrigtsen,, V. R. Jensen, E. Le Roux. "Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Lignin-Derived Phenols to Aromatics Catalyzed by Nb₂O₅-Supported Iridium", ACS Omega, 2022, 7, 35, 31561.

41-R. Tamal, E. Pogorilyy, C. P. Kumarananthan, U. A. Kvitastein, M. Foscato, K. W. Törnroos, T. C. H. Adamsen, E. Le Roux. "Synthesis and Stability of the [⁴⁵Ti]Ti–DOTA Complex: en Route Towards Aza-macrocyclic ⁴⁵Ti-based Radiopharmaceuticals", Chem. Commun., 2024, 60, 7148.

42-L. Suresh, R. Lalrempuia, T. Fjermestad, K. W. Törnroos, J. Bour, G. Frache, Nova, Ainara, E. Le Roux. "Trapping of Key “Ate” Intermediates of NHC-Group IV Relevant to Catalyzing Copolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide with CO₂", Organometallics, 2025, 44, 68. 

43-C. S. Gjermestad, S. Kusumoto, I. Flores-Linares, G. Occhipinti, E. Le Roux, H. Ando, K. Nozaki, V. R. Jensen. "Molecular Insight into Hydrodeoxygenation of Naphthols: Iridium-Catalyzed Ring Hydrogenation and Substrate-Catalyzed Dehydration" Organometallics, 2025, 44, 536.

44-L. Suresh, K. Zwettler, K. W. Törnroos, W. Le, B. Marcolini, G. Frache, E. Le Roux. "N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Based Group 4 Catalysts for the Terpolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide and Cyclic Anhydrides with CO₂", ACS Org. Inorg. Au, 2025, 5, 3, 171.

45-C. S. Gjermestad, S. Kusumoto, G. Occhipinti, E. Le Roux, K. Nozaki,  V. R. Jensen. " Hydrodeoxygenation of Naphthols by the Crabtree-Inspired IrH(COD)(PPh₃)₂" Organometallics, 2025, 44, 2703. 

46-C. S. Gjermestad, R. Seki, S. Kusumoto, G. Occhipinti, E. Le Roux, K. Nozaki,  V. R. Jensen. "Stirred, Not Shaken: Pre-Made Catalyst Cocktail Enables Arene-Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Phenols" , ACS Catal., 2026.

 

Patents

1- J.-M. Basset, J. Thivolle-Cazat, M. Taoufik, E. Le Roux, C. Copéret. "Process for the Metathesis of Alkenes Using a Catalyst Comprising Alumina which has been Surface Grafted with Tungsten Hydride Moieties", FR 2872509, WO2006013263, 2004.

2- J.-M. Basset, M. Taoufik, E. Le Roux, J. Thivolle-Cazat, C. Copéret. "Catalytic Process for Converting Ethylene into Propylene", FR 2872510, WO2006013251, 2004.

 

Book Chapters

1- E. Le Roux, R. Anwander. "Surface Organolanthanide and -Actinide Chemistry",in Modern Surface Organometallic Chemistry, (Eds.J.-M. Basset, R. Pasro, D. Roberto, R. Ugo), VCH  Verlagsgesellschaft GmbH. Weinheim, 2009, P 455-512.

2- E. Le Roux. "Titanium-based Catalysts for Polymer Synthesis", in Sustainable Catalysis: With Non-endangered Metals, Part 1, (Ed. M. North), The Royal Society of Chemistry. Cambridge, 2015, P 116-139. 

3- C. Fliedel, S. Dagorne, E. Le Roux. "Metal Complexes as Catalysts/Moderators for Polymerization Reactions", in Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry III (Ed. E. C. Constable, G. Parkin, L. Que Jr), Elsevier. New York, 2021, P 410-464. 

 

PhD thesis

E. Le Roux "New Generation of Tantalum and Tungsten Based Catalysts Supported on Oxides for Alkane Metathesis", N° 192-2004, 2004, P 272.

Projects for Master thesis

The research group is interdisciplinary and is stimulated by several research areas such as:

- Design and synthesis of organic ligands and organometallic compounds

- Synthesis of nanostructured hybrid materials

- Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis (including green and energy chemistry):

• a) for the production of green plastic (polymerization reactions with CO₂)
• b) for the oligomerization of olefins
• c) for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals (organic transformations)
• d) for the hydrodeoxygenation of biomass and derivatives into aromatics and cycloalkanes                                                                            

Keywords: Inorganic/Organometallic Chemistry, Nanostructured Hybrid Materials, Green Chemistry, Catalysis (polymerization, oligomerization, hydrodeoxygenation and organic transformation).

 

Funding:

(FRINATEK, ENERGIX)

 

Vacant position (PhD and Post-doc):

Please note that for your application to be considered, you must fill in the University of Bergen's application form which can be found at our "" web-page: