Apr 7
Chemistry Department Seminar: Shannon Stahl, University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Jerry and Jean Mohrig Lecture
"Optimizing the Potential of Dioxygen in Aerobic Oxidation Catalysis"
Shannon S. Stahl
Molecular oxygen (O2) is a remarkable molecule that is crucial to life on our planet and plays a central role in natural and artificial energy production. O2 also represents the quintessential "green" chemical for industrial oxidation reactions. Controlling the reactivity of O2 is among the most daunting challenges in chemistry, and it has broad implications for broader society. Prominent long-standing challenges include achieving selective oxidation of organic molecules without overoxidation to CO2 or other undesirable by-products and maximizing the energy efficiency of O2 reduction to water in fuel cells. Solutions to these challenges inevitably require catalysis. This talk will survey key principles of O2 reactivity relevant to chemical synthesis and energy conversion as a foundation for the discussion of specific catalyst systems that overcome key problems in these areas. Specific attention will be given to the issue of "overpotential" and the relevance of this concept beyond electrocatalysis.
*This seminar counts towards the chemistry major seminar attendance requirement for all majors not doing comps this year.
from Chemistry