Research activities of the “Cristallogénèse” team

 

The research activities of the “Cristallogénèse” team (lead: Dr Valérie DUPRAY) are essentially focused on the study of crystallization of low molecular weight organic compounds, mostly pharmaceutical compounds, but also energetic materials or semiconducting materials. Based on strong knowledge of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics of heterogeneous equilibria, the main expertise of the “Cristallogénèse” team lies in the use and the determination of phase diagrams, thus allowing an efficient control of the physico-chemical properties (chemical purity, polymorphism…) of the crystallized materials. The research axes developed in the team benefit from this skilled expertise of phase diagrams, which makes the approach to the scientific problematics unique in France and in Europe:

  • Chiral discrimination in the solid state by crystallization (Pasteurian Resolution, Host-guest complexes), Preferential crystallization (AS3PC and ASPRECISE modes were developed within the team), Deracemization (Continuous Viedma resolution), Fundamentals mechanisms of Preferential Enrichment.
  • Structural purity of organic materials (polymorphism, solvates, hydrates, cocrystals, amorphous), study of phase transitions mechanisms, amorphous phase stability, “continuum” between amorphous and crystal and analysis of disorder, study and resolution of crystal structures.
  • Crystal growth of organic materials, single crystals preparation, study of formation mechanisms of macroscopic defects in crystals (liquid and/or solid inclusions).
  • Elaboration of experimental prototypes (second harmonic generation (SHG) for the construction of phase diagrams and the determination of structural purity, Zone melting and sublimation enabling access to ultra-purification, In-situ X-ray analysis of crystal suspensions with PAT (process analytical technology) perspective In-SituX).

 

Research Activities of “chromatography” team

 

The research themes of the Chromatography team (lead: Dr. Valérie PEULON-AGASSE) within the SMS laboratory focus on the elaboration of stationary phases for chromatography and the study of the mechanisms of chiral recognition supported by a double skill in organic chemistry and analytical chemistry. Furthermore, the team developed an expertise in comprehensive gas chromatography allowing the development of analysis methods for trace compounds in various matrices. The team “Chromatography” concentrated its research activities in the miniaturization of the systems more particularly in gas chromatography. The research themes developed by the team:

  • Elaboration of a new sol-gel process for the preparation of stationary phases dedicated to gas chromatography allowing the incorporation of macrocyclic compounds and ionic liquids.
  • Development of new synthetic technique for design of performant stationary phases for liquid chromatography.
  • Development of a new method (Convex hull) to determine the separation space used and to optimize operating conditions for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC).
  • Development and study of a reversed fill flow modulator for comprehensive GCxGC.
  • Surface treatment development on Microelectromechanical System columns and Nanoelectromechanical System detectors.