Darren Dolan, Graduate Student, Voutchkova Lab, GW Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry Presents:  Darren Dolan, Graduate Student, Voutchkova Lab, GW Department of Chemistry

Chemical processes are fundamental to modern living, facilitating our access to a wide array of products and materials. However, the majority of these processes were developed decades ago, prioritizing cost and performance over safety and longevity. Recognizing this limitation, our research endeavors to promote a circular economy which considers the entire lifecycle of the chemicals involved in addition to environmental concerns. This entails not only focusing on the end goals of chemical transformations but also considering the processes and methodologies employed to achieve them. One way of developing these processes is by employing catalysts as an alternative to stoichiometric reagents. Catalysts offer several advantages, including enhanced efficiency and reduced waste generation. We have particularly focused on harnessing the potential of hydrotalcite (HT), an underexplored clay-based material. HT possesses unique properties that make it an ideal candidate for catalytic applications, including its non-hazardous nature, cost-effectiveness, and recyclability. Moreover, HT can be modified to introduce various functionalities, rendering it highly versatile and adaptable to different chemical processes. By employing HT-based catalysts, we have successfully developed and implemented a variety of tandem processes, ranging from fine chemistry de/functionalization to the valorization of renewable feedstocks. These applications demonstrate the efficacy of HT catalysts in promoting sustainable chemical transformations while maintaining high levels of efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, our research extends beyond mere application to a deeper understanding of the fundamental factors influencing catalytic activity. We aim to elucidate the role of modifiers on the parent catalyst, with the ultimate goal of establishing a predictive model for structure-activity relationships. This knowledge will not only enhance our understanding of catalytic mechanisms but also facilitate the rational design of catalysts tailored for specific chemical transformations. In the long term, our vision is to create a comprehensive library of modified catalysts, offering a diverse range of options for various chemical transformations. This library would serve as a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals seeking sustainable solutions for chemical manufacturing processes.

BIO

Darren obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from Wilkes University (‘19) in Pennsylvania, where he specialized in constructing plasma systems and investigating the impact of inlet gases on plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). In 2020, Darren became part of Dr. Adelina Voutchkova-Kostal’s research team at George Washington University. His research has centered on constructing a diverse library of modified hydrotalcite materials, enabling multiple chemical transformations to occur concurrently through a single catalyst. Darren has extensively characterized these catalysts using various analytical techniques, thereby gaining valuable insights into the structure-activity relationships governing each modified catalyst.