Rate My Professor Robby Vroemans

Robby Vroemans is a tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Antwerp, part of the Faculty of Science. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from KU Leuven in 2019 and served as a postdoctoral researcher in the Organic Synthesis (ORSY) group under Prof. Bert Maes at the University of Antwerp prior to his current appointment. Vroemans participates in several internal mandates, including effective voting member of the Departementsraad Chemie, secretary of the Examencommissie master Chemie, and Erasmus coordinator for Chemistry. He contributes to the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Sciences as an effective voting member.

His research expertise encompasses organic chemistry and functional molecular design, focusing on the synthesis of chiral and bioactive organic and heterocyclic molecules, green and biobased chemistry via homo- and heterogeneous catalysis—especially hydrogen borrowing and enantioselective red light methodologies—and the development of self-immolative polymers and polymer additives. Ongoing projects involve polytriazoles as membrane materials for metal and plastic recycling, CO2 conversion (TriaMem, 2026-2028); supramolecular chemistry and materials coordination (2026-2030); homochiral N-confused porphyrin-based photocatalysts (2025-2029); molecular qubits with carbon nanotube hybrids for spin readout (ReadBITS, 2025-2028); high-resolution mass spectrometry acquisition (2025-2027); and B,N-containing flame retardants (2025-2028). In teaching, he delivers courses like Organic Chemistry I (Bachelor of Bioscience Engineering and Chemistry), Organic Reactions Practical, Disconnection Approach, Capita Selecta Organic Chemistry including practicals, Homogeneous Catalysis, Supramolecular Chemistry, and supervises Master Thesis including internships and international research internships.

Key publications feature 'A mechanochemical Kolbe-Schmitt reaction: catechol carboxylation provides building blocks for renewable plasticizers' (Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2026), 'Synthesis of levulinic acids from muconic acids in hot water' (Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023), 'Efficient synthesis of novel plasticizers by direct palladium-catalyzed di- or multi-carbonylations' (Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023), 'Synthesis of heterocycles via aerobic Ni-catalyzed imidoylation of aromatic 1,2-bis-nucleophiles with isocyanides' (ACS Catalysis, 2022), and 'Sequential Ugi reaction/base-induced ring closing/IAAC protocol toward triazolobenzodiazepine-fused diketopiperazines and hydantoins' (Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2018).