Defensa de Tesis Doctoral en "Ciencia de Materiales" por la Srta. Malak El Kaddouri

The Université Euromed de Fès (UEMF) is pleased to announce to the public the defense of a doctoral thesis in "Materials Science".

The thesis defense will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 04:00 p.m. at UEMF.

Location: Main Hall of the Incubator (LOC001994)

The thesis will be presented by Ms. Malak El Kaddouri.

on the topic:
Development of Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Direct Aerobic Epoxidation of Limonene.

Abstract

The development of heterogeneous catalysts for the direct aerobic epoxidation of alkenes under sustainable conditions remains a major challenge. While molecular oxygen is considered the ideal oxidant, its spin-forbidden ground state limits reactivity with most organic substrates. To date, ethylene is the only alkene epoxidized directly on an industrial scale using O2. However, this approach is far less effective for complex molecules such as limonene, a bio-based substrate possessing highly reactive allylic hydrogens that are highly susceptible to allylic oxidation. In this context, our work focuses on the direct epoxidation of limonene using only molecular oxygen, without the use of a sacrificial reductant, initiating agents, and/or solvents, through the rational design of ruthenium-based heterogeneous catalysts. This approach represents a significant step towards the green epoxidation of bio-based alkenes.

This thesis will be presented before the jury members:

Full Name	Title	Affiliation	Role
Prof. Tijani Bounahmidi	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Jury President
Prof. Cafer T. Yavuz	Full Professor	King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST, Saudi Arabia	Reviewer
Prof. Frédéric-Georges Fontaine	Full Professor	Laval University, Canada	Reviewer
Prof. Khalil El Mabrouk	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Reviewer
Prof. Samir El Hankari	Full Professor	Mohamed VI Polytechnic University, UM6P	Examining Member
Prof. Serge Kaliaguine	Full Professor	Laval University, Canada	Thesis Director
Prof. Abdelkrim El Kadib	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fes	Thesis Director