Diana Ainembabazi, Graduate Student, Voutchkova Lab, Department of Chemistry

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GW Chemistry Department presents our seminar speaker, Diana Ainembabazi, Graduate Student, Voutchkova Lab, Department of Chemistry.

Palladium Heterogeneous Catalysts: Characterization & Application

Most industrial processes rely on heterogeneous catalysis. We address the development of robust heterogeneous catalysts that facilitate novel chemical reactions and can replace precious metal homogeneous catalysts using a model catalytic system composed of palladium supported on layered hydrotalcite-like materials. This system allows the tuning of morphology and electronic properties by changing support composition and synthetic preparation. The catalysts are extensively characterized by techniques that probe structural and electronic properties. We apply these catalysts to catalytically challenging reactions, such as dehydrogenation of alcohols and amines, decarbonylation of aldehydes, and decarbonylative olefination of aldehydes using a tandem process of aldol condensation and decarbonylation. We are currently extending these applications to address the highly desirable transformation of alcohols to long-chin hydrocarbons (fuels) through tandem alcohol dehydrogenation and decarbonylative olefination. Given that high activity, selectivity and robustness are critical requirements for potential commercial feasibility, we attempt to elucidate structure-property-activity relationships that can inform rational design of next-generation catalysts for these and other atom-economical applications of renewable biobased feedstocks.

BIO

Diana received her B.A. in Chemistry from Earlham College in Richmond, IN. Her current research under Prof. Voutchkova-Kostal focuses on the development of recyclable Palladium heterogeneous catalysts that promote chemical transformations geared towards biomass transformation and fine chemical production.