Juan Garcés Conducts Research at Rennes Institute of Chemical Sciences with France Excellence Chile Award

Juan Garcés, a PhD researcher from the Vogt-Geisse Lab, has begun a research stay at the Rennes Institute of Chemical Sciences after being awarded the France Excellence Chile scholarship, funded by the French-Chilean program through the Instituto Francés de Chile. During his stay, from January 6 to June 30, 2025, he will be working under the supervision of Prof. Jean-François Carpentier, a leading expert in polymerization catalysis. His research will focus on ring-opening polymerization (ROP) experiments, a key technique in polymer chemistry with significant implications for the development of biodegradable plastics.

This work complements his PhD thesis, titled “Origin of Enantioselective Control in the Polymerization of (R,R)- and (S,S)-Lactide Initiated by an Aluminum(III) Complex Supported on a Salan-Type Ligand: Initiation and Propagation.” His research at Rennes involves the synthesis of different monomers and performing ROP using lanthanide-based initiators. By engaging in this experimental work, he aims to deepen his understanding of ROP synthetic techniques, catalyst design, and enantioselective polymer synthesis—critical aspects for controlling polymer structure and functionality.

Juan sees this stay as an opportunity to merge his theoretical expertise with the experimental strengths of the lab, fostering new theory-experiment collaborations. He hopes that by integrating computational and experimental approaches, his research will contribute to a better understanding of polymerization mechanisms and catalyst design.

The ring-opening polymerization process is vital for producing biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), which serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. Garcés’ research in Rennes will contribute to advancing these materials, supporting ongoing efforts to develop environmentally friendly polymers with tailored properties.

His stay represents an important international collaboration, allowing him to gain expertise in cutting-edge polymerization techniques while strengthening research ties between Chile and France in the field of polymer chemistry.