Soutenance de Thèse de Doctorat en “Materials Science” par Ms. Malak El Kaddouri

The Euromed University of Fes (UEMF) is pleased to inform the public of the doctoral thesis defense in “Materials Science”

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

Location: The Incubator's Main Hall (LOC001994)

The thesis will be presented by Ms. Malak El Kaddouri

under the topic:
Development of Heterogeneous Catalysts for 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 as the ideal oxidant, its spin-forbidden ground state limits reactivity with most organic substrates. To date, ethylene is the only alkene directly epoxidized on an industrial scale using O2. However, this approach is far less effective for complex molecules like limonene, a bio-based substrate bearing reactive allylic hydrogens that are highly susceptible to allylic oxidation. In this context, our work targets the direct epoxidation of limonene using molecular oxygen alone, without the use of a sacrificial reductant, initiator agents and/or solvents, through the rational design of ruthenium-based heterogeneous catalysts. This approach represents a significant step toward green epoxidation of bio-based alkenes.

This thesis will be presented to the jury members:

Full Name	Grade	Affiliation	Quality
Prof. Tijani Bounahmidi	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fez	Jury chair
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 Fez	Reviewer
Prof. Samir El Hankari	Full Professor	Mohamed VI Polytechnic University, UM6P	Examiner
Prof. Serge Kaliaguine	Full Professor	Laval University, Canada	Thesis director
Prof. Abdelkrim El Kadib	Full Professor	Euromed University of Fez	Thesis director