Catalysis Research: Evonik Employees Receive Raney Award
Dr. Daniel J. Ostgard of Evonik Industries will receive the Raney Award in recognition of his outstanding work in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. The catalysis researcher is receiving this award for the development of highly selective powder- and fixed-bed nickel catalysts used in industrial hydrogenation processes. The Raney Award is given out every two years by the Organic Reactions Catalysis Society (ORCS) to scientists who have made an important contribution to catalyst technology in organic synthesis. Ostgard will accept the award in March 2008 during the ORCS meeting in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Ostgard has worked for Evonik Industries since 1991-first in the United States and then, since 1998, in Germany. One of the primary focuses of his group's research has been activated metal catalysts. Some of the group's accomplishments include catalysts that can be used for the complete hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines. Possible applications include the nitrile hydrogenation that occurs during Vitamin B2 synthesis and the selective hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty nitriles to their corresponding unsaturated amines that are used for the production of surfactants and emulsifiers. Ostgard's group has also elucidated the mechanism for the hydrogenating sugars such as fructose and glucose. These reactions produce sugar substitutes such as sorbitol or mannitol, which are suitable for use by diabetics. Dr. Ostgard has used his catalyst expertise since 2006 in the Marketing and Business Development unit of the Catalysts Business Line for acquiring new business opportunities.
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Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.