Catalytic dehydrogenative hydrofunctionalization is a simple way to synthesize organic molecules bearing a vinyl fragment. We want to synthesize, via a dehydrogenative hydroboration or hydrosilylation process with ethylene, ethenylboranes and ethenylsilanes, respectively. The resulting products are important precursors for the silicon industry and for fine chemical transformations. These dehydrogenative hydrofunctionalization reactions compete with simple hydrofunctionalization reactions. With this project, we want to develop selective processes towards the synthesis of vinyl products. Two original approaches will be developed. 1) We will focus on the use of first row transition metals, related ruthenium systems serving as benchmarks. 2) We will use a specific class of ligands bearing agostic Si-H and B-H interactions to prepare the active site for further functionalization. The fundamental aspects, experimental and theoretical, will be scrutinized in order to move to more efficient processes. Catalytic conditions will follow, as much as possible, sustainable principles and we will pay a special attention to systems operating in mild conditions of temperature and pressure. We create a unique French-Mexican consortium in the domain of coordination chemistry and catalysis. The partners have a strong complementary expertise in all the different aspects of the project to be able to tackle a challenging domain in catalysis – the synthesis of ethenylboranes and ethenylsilanes from ethylene - with a specific class of complexes based on first-row transition metals featuring agostic interactions.

The evolutionary success of filamentous fungi in colonizing diverse abiotic and biotic niches is linked to their efficient responses to environmental challenges, the production of resilient spores, and an explorative polar growth habit, all regulated by dynamic cell organelle interactions. We demonstrated that the stress MAPK and SrrA response regulator pathways are crucial for these adaptive traits. Despite these insights, numerous questions remain regarding how fungi sense a wide range of stressors—including oxidative stress, osmotic pressure, and cell wall integrity challenges—using a limited set of components. Additionally, we seek to understand how responses are coordinated and how a single MAPK can regulate various cellular processes. To address these questions, we propose to generate new integrative insights into these important pathways, by utilizing the powerful genetic system of Aspergillus nidulans alongside the biology of the resilient cosmopolitan halophilic fungus Aspergillus sydowii, associated with diseases such as aspergillosis in corals. By comparing the crosstalk between MAPK and SrrA pathways in these fungi, we will uncover fundamental, evolutionary conserved processes, as well as life style specific adaptations. Our findings will not only contribute to general biological knowledge but will inform strategies for managing fungal diseases while harnessing beneficial fungal traits.