U. S.-Germany Cooperative Research: The Catalytic Activation of Hydrocarbons in the Interphase

University Of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA

Investigators

Abstract

0089661 Kaska This award supports a third year of funding for William Kaska and students from the University of California-Santa Barbara in a collaboration with Hermann Meyer of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Tuebingen in Germany. The research funded by this award will develop rhodium and iridium phosphourous-carbon-phophorous (PCP) "Pincer" molecules which are stable up to 200 degrees centigrade. This is significant for two reasons: they catalytically dehydrogenate alkanes to alkenes which is important for commercial objectives; they produce hydrogen gas, which is potentially useful for fuel cells. Both sides have unique expertise and facilities necessary to a successful outcome of this joint research project. Exchange of junior researchers is emphasized to add an international dimension to their training and to allow them to establish international connections early in their careers.