Dr. Michael Findlater
Associate Professor Level
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Hosts: Drs. Stephen Kuebler, and Florencio Hernandez
Title:
Transformations using Earth Abundant Metals or TEAM-work
Abstract:
One of the critical issues facing society is the provision of sustainable sources of chemicals, materials, and energy. Catalysis plays a central role in creating sustainable sources of energy, especially through efficient transformations of hydrocarbon resources. However, the catalytic processes in use today rely heavily on platinum group metals (PGMs), which are geologically scarce and distributed unevenly over the world, leading to national security concerns. Dr. Findlater will discuss the efforts within his lab to replace PGMs with plentiful and inexpensive earth abundant metals within the context of catalyzing organic transformations. Specifically, hydrosilylation, hydroboration and C-C coupling chemistry will be discussed. Finally, opportunities to apply such strategies in materials chemistry will be presented.
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