A professor who has undertaken valuable work in the development of PGM catalysts for the hydrogenation of ketones in water has received an award for his efforts, TCE Today confirmed on Friday (12th December).

Jianliang Xiao, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, will be awarded the 2008 GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Pfizer prize for process chemistry in a ceremony in Cambridge later this month.

His main contribution has been to develop a new synthetic technology aimed at studying the mechanisms underlying organometallic chemistry, subsequently offering a clearer picture of the effects reaction media have on catalytic cycles and transition states.

As a result, ruthenium, rhodium and iridium have all been developed for use in the hydrogenation process, particularly in relation to how the pH of water influences the enantioselectivity and kinetics of the reaction.

John Blacker, Director of the Institute of Process Research and Development at the University of Leeds, told tcetoday.com: "This is a most deserved recognition of Xiao's scientific contribution, which has focused on using catalysts in sustainable, more efficient chemical processes.

"His strong connection with the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry has facilitated knowledge transfer, resulting in the ultimate accolade - application of his research in manufacture."

Professor Xiao has also made the discovery that a palladium catalyst can be used in the direct acylation or aryl bromides with aldehydes.

Source:

Process chemistry prize for Liverpool chemist (12/12/08)
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