Dr. Josep Cornellà awarded distinguished lectures at UC Berkeley and the University of Rochester
Dr. Josep Cornellà of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung will deliver distinguished lectures at UC Berkeley and the University of Rochester.
Dr. Josep Cornellà, Director at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, has been selected to deliver two prestigious named lectures: the Earl L. Muetterties Memorial Lecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Chemistry Kende Distinguished Lectureship at the University of Rochester. Both lectureships recognize outstanding chemists for their exceptional contributions to the field. At Berkeley and Rochester Cornellà presents his research, engages with fellow researchers, and meets with the next generation of scientists.
At the heart of Cornellà’s research department “Sustainable Catalysis” lies the pursuit of a new paradigm in transition metal catalysis that moves away from rare, expensive, or toxic noble metals towards more abundant and environmentally friendly elements. Among his most notable contributions is the synthesis of a novel bismuth compound that mimics key aspects of transition metal reactivity while offering greater sustainability. Building on this concept, his department now explores how other heavy main-group elements can open new avenues for green and efficient catalysis, challenging long-standing assumptions about the boundaries between main-group and transition metal chemistry.
The UC Berkeley lecture commemorates Earl L. Muetterties (1927–1984), an influential chemist renowned for his pioneering work in inorganic and organometallic chemistry. He made seminal contributions to borane chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, and reaction mechanism studies. The Chemistry Kende Distinguished Lectureship honors Andrew S. Kende (1932-2018), a pioneering organic chemist celebrated for his work on pericyclic reactions and total synthesis. His enduring impact on organic chemistry and his mentorship for generations of scientists are reflected in this distinguished invitation.
