Rethinking catalysis

Visit https://thermofisher.com/bctl to register for your free Bringing Chemistry to Life T-shirt and https://www.alfa.com/en/chemistry-podcasts/ to access our episode summary sheet, which contains links to recent publications and additional content recommendations for our guest.Modern synthetic chemistry relies on a rich toolbox of chemical transformations, among which catalytic reactions play a prominent role. Yet, despite all the many successes, innovation in the field has seemingly slowed down, the focus moving to exploring variations and application scope of well-established catalysts based on a limited number of reliable transition metals.Josep Cornella, from the Max Planck Institute in Mülheim an der Ruhr, is an innovator. He is not loyal to a specific element or a specific catalyzed reaction. He has a non-discriminatory approach to catalysis, where the key is choosing the catalytic approach to do what he wants/needs rather than figuring out what he can do with his catalyst of choice. This episode is a declaration of love for catalysis as a driver for innovation in organic synthesis. Paolo and Josep discuss using the elements the Earth has given us in creative new ways, from making air-stable nickel zero (Ni(0)) complexes to the unexpected use of bismuth as a completely novel catalyst, opening the box of possibilities by removing the biases from overreliance on well established – and old – concepts.
We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com About Your HostPaolo Braiuca grew up in the North-East of Italy and holds a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from nearby esteemed University of Trieste, Italy.  He developed expertise in biocatalysis during his years of post-doctoral research in Italy and the UK, where he co-founded a startup company. With this new venture, Paolo’s career shifted from R&D to business development, taking on roles in commercial, product management, and marketing. He has worked in the specialty chemicals, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical markets in Germany and the UK, where he presently resides. He is currently the Director of Global Market Development in the Laboratory Chemicals Division  at Thermo Fisher Scientific™ which put him in the host chair of the Bringing Chemistry to Life podcast. A busy father of four, in what little free time he has, you’ll find him inventing electronic devices with the help of his loyal 3D-printer and soldering iron. And if you ask him, he’ll call himself a “maker” at heart.