David Vesseur

Postdoctoral researcher
University of Amsterdam

Department

HomKat

Contact information

Room
E1.36

Email address
d.vesseur@uva.nl

Key expertises

Photocatalysis, organometallic synthesis, homogenous catalysis, inert techniques, catalyst design

About me

After completing my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Universiteit van Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, I moved to Toulouse, France to undertake my PhD research, which explored novel elementary steps involving coinage metals. My current work involves the photocatalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes to yield alkenes. Beyond my professional pursuits, I enjoy weightlifting, playing padel, and spending time with friends.

About my research

While most people do not realize it alkenes play an important role in everyday life as they are the precursor to many important products. Despite their tremendous importance, the safe and sustainable synthesis of these compounds has remained rather challenging. In this project, we are looking for new ways to access these compounds via a light-driven dehydrogenation, a highly sustainable approach. To develop such fascinating new pathways a thorough understanding is required. To gain such in-depth understanding we will use advanced spectroscopic techniques and use the insights gained to develop new and improved catalysts

Academic career

PhD position

2020-2023: PhD position in the Bifunctional ligands and biodegradable polymers (LBPB) group at the Fundamental and Applied Heterochemistry Laboratory (LHFA) under the supervision of Prof. D. Bourissou

Early Stage Researcher

2019-2020: Master degree in the HomKat group at the University of Amsterdam (UVA), under the supervision of Prof. B. de Bruin

2017-2018: Bachelor degree in the SOC group at the University of Amsterdam (UVA) under the supervision of Prof. J. C. Slootweg