Nobel laureate Robert H. Grubbs, Caltech’s Victor and Elizabeth Atkins Professor of Chemistry, will deliver a free public lecture on Thursday, April 13.
Grubbs is an organic chemist whose pioneering work focuses on increasing the efficiencies of chemical reactions by using metal-organic complexes known as “catalysts.” These catalysts are widely used today throughout industry and academia and have applications ranging from pharmaceutical manufacturing to polymer production. He has received numerous honors for his work, including co-recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize in chemistry, and in 2015, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering “for developments in catalysts that have enabled commercial products.” He also was recently awarded the 2017 George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon or Petroleum Chemistry.
“Professor Grubbs’ research interests center around the development of novel methods for the synthesis of complex molecules and new materials. He is regarded an expert in the field of catalyst design and synthesis, and his work is dedicated to improving understanding of catalytic mechanisms of reaction,” noted Amanda Evans, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who invited Grubbs to speak on campus as part of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar Series.
His talk on the “Design and Applications of Selective Olefin Metathesis Catalysts” will be held from 4-5 p.m. in Room 401 of Langsdorf Hall. For more information contact Evans. Visitor parking is $2 an hour and information is available online.