About the Seminar:  Graphene and its properties have motivated research on large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are basic building blocks of graphene and other carbon-rich nanostructures. Various PAHs are of interest as molecular models, synthetic precursors, and components in electronic  devices, due to unique properties that result from their extended conjugation and rigidity. A […]

About the Seminar:  Polymers are some of the highest volume products of the chemical industry but their manufacturing, use and disposal causes pollution.  Production alone is responsible for > 1 Gt/annum of carbon dioxide emissions, ~ 3 x more than the annual emissions of the UK.  Recycling options are limited and environmental contamination by legacy […]

A Boulder Scientific Distinguished Lecture  About the Talk: Design and development of sustainable, environmentally benign catalytic reactions for organic synthesis and for energy-related processes are major goals of current catalysis. We have developed new efficient, environmentally benign reactions catalyzed by pincer-type transition metal complexes, including complexes of earth-abundant metals. Several of these reactions either produce […]

A Boulder Scientific Distinguished Lecture About the Talk: Heterogeneous catalysts are indispensable in large-scale chemical processes. Adapting catalysts optimized for converting fossil-fuel-derived molecules to handle renewable carbon is a major challenge, imposed by differences in volatility and solubility. The kinetics of liquid phase transformations promoted by heterogeneous catalysts are complicated by partitioning of solvents, reactants, […]