Nobel Prize Lecture: Catalysis for the World

With his research group at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research, Chemistry Nobel Laureate Benjamin List has made the development of the "perfect chemical reaction" his goal. For him, the science of catalysis is truly fascinating. Developing a catalyst that has a lower energy pathway for converting substrates into the desired product is like magic. But catalysis is not just a beautiful concept, it is also a very important technology. Some would say it is the most important technology for mankind on this planet. It is estimated that catalysis contributes to about a third of GDP - that's trillions of dollars worth of figures. There is probably no other technology that can claim to feed, heal, warm and transport people and their goods. The challenges currently facing humanity - global warming, energy conversion - will be met with the help of catalysis. In his lecture, Benjamin List will talk about catalysis with organic molecules and how strong and restricted acids could become universal catalysts.

The public lecture will be held in German at 7 pm at the TU Dresden Lecture Hall Centre. Admission is free, registration is requested at:  https://https://tu-dresden.de/mn/der-bereich/nobel