Anabela Tavares Aguiar Valente

Principal Researcher

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  • Chemistry
  • 29.3.29

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Short CV

Anabela A. Valente studied chemical engineering at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Portugal) and received her doctorate in chemical engineering/catalysis from the same university. After a post-doctoral period at the University of Aveiro (UA, Portugal), in the field of Materials Engineering, she became assistant researcher at CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UA, 2003). Since 2015, she has held the position of principal researcher at the same institution. Her research is related to applied homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysis and materials science. She is responsible for a team interested in the chemical valorisation of biomass-derived compounds via catalytic routes. She trained scientists at several levels (MSc, PhD, post-doc) in the development of their scientific careers (some integrated the industry in the field in which they were trained by AAV). She has collaborated with members of different national (e.g., Lisbon, Algarve) and foreign (e.g. Spain, UK, Germany, Ukraine, Poland) universities in the development of multidisciplinary research works, and some reference players from the industry (Merck KGaA, Bosch).  She has been involved in several scientific projects with competitive funding. She is co-author of ca. 245 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and over 290 communications at national/international conferences; h-index = 52 (Scopus), over 7800 (non-self) citations and >77 % of her scientific articles are in the top 25 % journals by CiteScore (Scopus), and >37 % in the top 25% most cited documents worldwide. AAV is Chemistry Europe Fellow (Fellows Class 2020/2021). She was elected twice as member of the Scientific Council of the UA, and was co-director of the Department of Chemistry, UA (2019-2024). She was board member (for Portugal) of the Federation of European Zeolite Associations, FEZA (2020-2024). She is presently Coordinator of the Central Laboratory of Analysis, an executive unit of the University of Aveiro.

Specific scientific interests: applied catalysis, oxidation catalysis, acid-base catalysis, de/hydrogenation, chemical valorisation of biomass, synthesis and characterisation of materials.

Scientific Interests

- Synthesis and characterisation of heterogeneous catalysts.
- Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis: oxidation and acid-base reactions.
- Liquid-phase catalytic processing of biomass-derived compounds: oxidation of monoterpenes, conversion of saccharides into furan derivatives and bioesters, isomerization of sugars.

Present Research Group

CATALYSIS GROUP:

Anabela A. Valente, Researcher.

Patrícia Neves, Researcher.

 

Supervisions:

Iracema Pereira, MSc student. Supervisors: Anabela A. Valente, Patrícia Neves (CICECO).

Helena Pereira, MSc student. Supervisors: Patrícia Neves, Anabela A. Valente (CICECO).

Gabriela Barreto, BI Fellow. Supervisors: Anabela A. Valente, Patrícia Neves (CICECO).

Alexandra Silva, BI Fellow. Supervisors: Patrícia Neves, Anabela A. Valente (CICECO).

Carla Leite, BI Fellow. Supervisor: Anabela A. Valente.

 

Main present collaborators

University of Aveiro, Portugal - Patrícia Neves, Martyn Pillinger, Isabel S. Gonçalves, Filipe A. A. Paz (CICECO).

Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal – Filipa Ribeiro, Auguste Fernandes.

Institut für Chemie and IRIS Adlershof, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany - Nicola Pinna, Patrícia Russo.

Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland - Wiesław Łasocha.

Inorganic Chemistry Department, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine - Andrey B. Lysenko.

Teaching Activity

Courses of 1st cycle degree in Chemical Engineering:
Mass transport (recitations);
Separation Processes I (recitations).
 
Course of Masters in Chemical Engineering:
Dissertation

Present projects

Project 2023.14213.PEX. Unconventional RISS catalysts for biobased hydrogen production and biomass conversion.  PI: Patrícia Neves.

Project COMPETE2030-FEDER-00782200. Carbon monoxide releasing materials with bio-friendly light activation for antibacterial applications. PI: Isabel Gonçalves.

Selected Publications

http://www.researcherid.com/rid/H-5922-2013

Selected publications (2021/...):

REVIEWS

P. N. Neves, D. M. Gomes, I. S. Gonçalves, M. Pillinger, A. A. Valente, “Reaction Induced Self-separating Metal Catalysts – Wonder Systems in 21st Century Catalysis”, Coord. Chem. Rev. 491 (2023) 215229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2023.215229

S. M. Bruno, A. A. Valente, I. S. Gonçalves, M. Pillinger, “Group 6 carbonyl complexes of N,O,P-ligands as precursors of high-valent metal-oxo catalysts for olefin epoxidation”, Coord. Chem. Rev. 478 (2023) 214983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214983

 

BOOK CHAPTERS

M. M. Antunes, A. A. Valente(*), “Zeolitic Catalysts for Carbohydrate Biomass Related Conversion Processes”, in Series on Chemistry, Energy and the Environment, Synthesis and Applications in Chemistry and Materials, Vol.14, Biomass and Waste Valorisation, Functional Materials, Energy Conversion and Supercritical Systems, Part VIII—Biomass Valorisation (A.J.L. Pombeiro, K.T. Mahmudov, M. F. C. Guedes da Silva (Eds)), World Scientific Publishing Co., pp. 63-110 (ISBN: 978-981-127-993-5), 2024, 63-110. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811283239_0035 

 

RESEARCH PAPERS

X. Yao, M. M. Antunes, A. G. Buzanich, P. Cabanelas, A. A. Valente, N. Pinna, P. Russo, Formation, phase transition, surface and catalytic properties of cubic ZrO2 nanocrystals, Chem. Mater. 37 (2025) 8568−8580. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c01483

M. M. Antunes, K. Khan, P. Neves, A. Fernandes, M. Andrulevičius, F. Ribeiro, A. A. Valente, “Development of hafnium-silica solid Lewis acids for γ-valerolactone production from biobased levulinic acid”, Catal. Sci. Technol., 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CY00307E

M. M. Antunes, A. C. Gomes, I. S. Gonçalves, M. Pillinger, A. A. Valente, “Catalytic sulfoxidation and epoxidation using oxomolybdenum compounds generated from tricarbonyl(1-methylimidazole)molybdenum(0)”, Appl. Catal. A Gen. 704 (2025) 120372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2025.120372

D. M. Gomes, X. Yao, P. Neves, M. M. Antunes, N. Pinna, P. A. Russo, A. A. Valente, “Silica-Embedded Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Epoxidation Catalysts: Batch and Continuous Flow Systems”, ChemCatChem 17 (2025) e202500003. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202500003

D. M. Gomes, A. C. Gomes, P. Neves, F. A. A. Paz, A. A. Valente, I. S. Gonçalves, M. Pillinger, Effect of 4,4′-dialkyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligands on the hydrolysis of dichlorodioxomolybdenum(VI) catalyst precursors and the switch from homogeneous epoxidation to heterogeneous systems, J. Catal. 439 (2024) 115782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2024.115782

M. M. Antunes, K. Skrodczky, P. S. Cabanelas, N. Pinna, P. A. Russo A. A. Valente, “Chemical valorisation of biomass derived furanics and carboxylic acids over niobium-based Catalysts”, Green Chem. 26 (2024) 4820-4833. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4GC00207E

D. M. Gomes, X. Yao, P. Neves, N. Pinna, P. A. Russo, A. A. Valente, “Bulky olefin epoxidation under mild conditions over Mo-based oxide catalysts”, Catal. Sci. Technol. 14 (2024) 646–659. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CY01299A

M. M. Antunes, A. F. Silva, A. Fernandes, M. Pillinger, F. Ribeiro, A. A. Valente, “Renewable bio-based routes to gamma-valerolactone in the presence of hafnium nanocrystalline or hierarchical microcrystalline zeotype catalysts” J. Catal. 406 (2022) 56-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2021.12.022

D. M. Gomes, A. F. Silva, A. C. Gomes, P. Neves, A. A. Valente, I. S. Gonçalves, M. Pillinger, “Epoxidation catalysts prepared by encapsulation of molybdenum hexacarbonyl in UiO-66(Zr/Hf)-type metal-organic frameworks”, Micropor. Mesopor. Mater. 330 (2022) 111603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2021.111603 

M. M. Antunes, D. Falcão, A. Fernandes, M. F. Ribeiro, M. Pillinger, J. Rocha, A. A. Valente, “Catalytic isomerization of D-glucose to D-fructose over BEA base zeotypes using different energy supply methods”, Catal. Today 362 (2021) 162-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2020.03.02 

A. B. Lysenko, G. A. Senchyk, K. V. Domasevitch, P. Neves, A. A. Valente, M. Pillinger, I. S. Gonçalves, “Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Interplay in 1,2,4-Triazole- or Carboxylate-Based Molybdenum(VI) Oxide Hybrids: a Step Toward Development of Reaction-Induced Self-Separating Catalysts”, ChemCatChem 13 (2021) 3090–3098. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202100389 

Projects

Materiais libertadores de monóxido de carbono por ativação de luz para aplicações antibacterianas (CANDLELIGHT)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Unconventional RISS catalysts for biobased hydrogen and renewable chemicals (H2biocat)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
In light of the need for major global transformations to achieve sustainable development goals, the use of biodegradable fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) as renewable sources of organic carbon derived vegetable oils, animal fat, waste cooking oils and algae, has valuably contributed to answer to the increasing needs for fuels and chemicals, and ...

Ansa-bridged Organorhenium(VII) oxides and their application as homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts (PTDC/QUI/71198/2006)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
catalysis chirality rhenium new materials

Catalytic conversion of carbohydrates into furan derivatives (POCI/QUI/56112/2004)

CoordinatorFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
saccharides furfural heterogeneous catalysis solid acid

Conversao catalitica de olefinas derivadas da biomassa (BiOle_AcidOxCat)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Immobilized surface rare earth and actinide aryloxides Activation of small molecules (CO2,CH4,C2H6) (POCTI/QUI/42919/2001)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Organometallic surface chemistry Immobilized catalysts Block f elements aryloxides Activation of CO2, CH4, C2H6

Multifunctional anionic clays (POCI/CTM/58507/2004)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Layered double hydroxides Intercalation Host-guest systems Heterogeneous catalysis

Nano-sized Functional Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Lanthanide Polyphosphonates (PTDC/QUI-QUI/098098/2008)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Metal-Organic Frameworks Crystal Engineering Photoluminescent thin films Heterogeneous Catalysts

New oxometal compounds with tailored catalytic properties (POCI/QUI/56109/2004)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Oxometal complexes Organic-inorganic hybrids Reaction mechanisms Oxidation catalysis

Novel Ceramic Membranes for Synthesis Gas Production (POCI/CTM/58570/2004)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
mixed conductor ceramic membrane synthesis gas ionic transport

Robust Nanometric Coordination Polymers for Gas Separation and Light Emission (EXPL/CTM-NAN/0013/2013)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Photoluminescent Metal-Organic Frameworks Organic Ligand Design Heterogeneous Catalysts Selective Gas Sorption

Sistemas ativados por estímulos para a terapia com monóxido de carbono (SASCOT)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Use of molecular containers to modify metallocene-based catalysts (PTDC/QEQ-SUP/1906/2012)

PartnerFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Metallocenes Host-guest chemistry Molecular containers Organic transformations

Publications

Formation, Phase Transition, Surface, and Catalytic Properties of Cubic ZrO2 Nanocrystals

Yao, XY; Antunes, MM; Buzanich, AG; Cabanelas, P; Valente, AA; Pinna, N; Russo, PA
2025, CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS, 37, 21, 8568-8580.

Oxidant-Dependent Switch of a Molybdenum(VI) Tetrazolate Complex from a Homogeneous to a Self-Separating Catalyst for Olefin Epoxidation

Nunes, MS; Gomes, DM; Neves, P; Gomes, AC; Mendes, RF; Paz, FAA; Gonçalves, IS; Valente, AA; Pillinger, M
2025, INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH, 64, 34, 16589-16601.

Silica-Embedded Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Epoxidation Catalysts: Batch and Continuous Flow Systems

Gomes, DM; Yao, XY; Neves, P; Antunes, MM; Pinna, N; Russo, PA; Valente, AA
2025, CHEMCATCHEM, 17, 8.

Catalytic sulfoxidation and epoxidation using oxomolybdenum compounds generated from tricarbonyl(1-methylimidazole)molybdenum(0)

Antunes, MM; Gomes, AC; Goncalves, IS; Pillinger, M; Valente, AA
2025, APPLIED CATALYSIS A-GENERAL, 704.

Development of hafnium-silica solid Lewis acids for γ-valerolactone production from biobased levulinic acid

Antunes, MM; Khan, K; Neves, P; Fernandes, A; Andrulevicius, M; Ribeiro, F; Valente, AA
2025, CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 15, 15, 4482-4500.

A Dinuclear Oxoperoxomolybdenum(VI) Complex, [Mo2O6(OH)2(Pyridine Oxide Tetrazolate)2], Displaying the {MoO(O2)(μ-OH)2MoO(O2)}0 Core, and its Catalytic Performance in Olefin Epoxidation

Nunes, MS; Neves, P; Gomes, AC; Mendes, RF; Paz, FAA; Lopes, AD; Da Silva, JP; Pillinger, M; Valente, AA; Gonçalves, IS
2025, EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, 28, 19.

Bulky olefin epoxidation under mild conditions over Mo-based oxide catalysts

Gomes, DM; Yao, XY; Neves, P; Pinna, N; Russo, PA; Valente, AA
2024, CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 14, 3, 646-659.
ISBN: 2044-4761

Inclusion complexes of cucurbit[n]urils (n=7, 8) with η5-cyclopentadienyl methyl tricarbonyl molybdenum(II) and their use in epoxidation catalysis

Neves, P; Gomes, AC; Monteiro, RP; Santos, MJ; Valente, AA; Lopes, AD; Gonçalves, IS; Pillinger, M
2024, APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, 38, 5.
ISBN: 1099-0739

Chemical valorisation of biomass derived furanics and carboxylic acids over niobium-based catalysts

Antunes, MM; Skrodczky, K; Cabanelas, PS; Pinna, N; Russo, PA; Valente, AA
2024, GREEN CHEMISTRY, 26, 8, 4820-4833.
ISBN: 1463-9270

Versatile Polyoxometalates of Different Structural Dimensionalities for Liquid Phase Catalytic Oxidation

Neves, P; Simoes, G; Napruszewska, BD; Pamin, K; Serda, P; Lasocha, W; Valente, AA
2024, CATALYSTS, 14, 4.
ISBN: 2073-4344

Zeolitic Catalysts for Carbohydrate Biomass Related Conversion Processes

In A.J.L. Pombeiro, K.T. Mahmudov, M. F. C. Guedes da Silva (Eds.), Synthesis and Applications in Chemistry and Materials
M. M. Antunes, A. A. Valente
2024, 63-110, WORLD SCIENTIFIC PUBLISHING COMPANY.
ISBN: 978-981-127-993-5

Furfural and furfural-based industrial chemicals

In Bruno Pignataro (Eds.), Ideas in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences: Advances in Synthetic Chemistry
Dias AS, Lima S, Pillinger M, Valente A A
2010, 1, 167-186, Weinheim, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

FULL LIST OF CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS OF A.A. VALENTE

A. A.Valente is coauthor
2023.

Patents

Use of a crystalline microporous aluminium methylphosphonate for the purification of vinyl chloride

Processes National

Rocha, João; Coutinho, João ; Freitas, Francisco; Valente, Anabela ; Lin, Zhi

The present invention relates to the separation of ethyl chloride and vinyl chloride by absorption using a crystalline microporous aluminium metilphosphate as the absorbent.The absorption ability of aluminium methylphosphonate to ethyl chloride is always higher than to vinyl chloride, at the same temperature and in the press...

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