Synopsis

We understand that registering for a conference is not essential right now. Many researchers will be unable to register for a future conference of interest if their organisation is temporarily closed or preventing travel. Therefore, you can simply register your interest here without committing to attending, and our team will keep you updated regarding deadline reminders and grant opportunities. We hope this service is helpful during this difficult time.

Many essential natural processes and systems are based on the making and breaking of small molecules, consisting only of a few atoms. They are formed and consumed, for instance, as part of element cycles, and thus representatives like O2, N2 and CO2 form the constituents of the air we breathe, while compounds like methane and NO are generated under anaerobic conditions. Other examples are not only natural products and substrates but are prepared on large scales in industrial processes, such as H2, CO and NH3. Hence, small molecules are ubiquitous and comparatively inexpensive. In consequence it is highly desirable to utilize them as synthons for the synthesis of value-added products and fine chemicals. The challenge here is the fact, that small molecules, such as those mentioned, are at the same time thermodynamically and/or kinetically quite stable, which is of course also the basis for their high abundance. For instance, CO2 is the most stable of all carbon compounds and N2 contains the strongest of all chemical bonds. O2 bears a lot of redox potential but a high kinetic barrier prohibits reactions with organic molecules under moderate conditions in a controlled, selective fashion. Hence, the key for the transformation and utilization of small molecules lies in their appropriate activation by suitable metal or element sites that may be part of molecular compounds, enzymes or surfaces.

This conference highlights strategies, principles and applications concerning small molecule activation. It covers the whole range from inorganic, organic or organometallic to biochemistry chemistry, from catalytic systems (homogeneous, heterogeneous or biological) via mechanistic experimental and theoretical work to new elemental reactions that may be based on complex or ligand design, are biomimetic or surface-inspired.

Key Sessions

• H₂ Activation
• N₂ Activation
• N_xO_y Activation
• O₂ Activation
• H₂O₂ Activation
• Reactive N_xH_y Species
• CO_x Chemistry 
• C_xH_y Conversion

Student Offer

Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for students! Fully paying academics can bring a student for only $785. Unfortunately, Postdocs are not eligible. Both registration packages include; accommodation for the 16, 17, 18 May 2022 (on a shared basis for students) and a 24hour all-inclusive food and beverage package for the conference period. Once registered, please contact Jack Peters to obtain a special registration link for your student. 

Confirmed Plenary Speakers

Polly Arnold (The University of Edinburgh, Scotland)
Matthias Beller (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse, Germany)
Serena DeBeer (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Germany)
Liang Deng (Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China)
DINITROGEN ACTIVATION WITH LOW-COORDINATE ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
Don Tilley (UC Berkeley, USA)
METAL-METAL COOPERATIVITY IN SMALL MOLECULE REACTIONS AT TRANSITION METAL ASSEMBLIES

Confirmed Keynote Speakers

Andy Borovik (University of California, Irvine, USA)
Kara Bren (University of Rochester, USA)
Miquel Costas (University of Girona, Spain)
Holger Dobbek (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
INSIGHTS INTO SMALL MOLECULE ACTIVATION BY Ni-CONTAINING ENZYMES
Frédéric-Georges Fontaine (Université Laval, Canada)
Patrick Holland (Yale University, USA)
ADVANCES IN NITROGEN FIXATION WITH IRON COMPLEXES
Marinella Mazzanti (EPFL, Switzerland)
Marc Robert (Université de Paris, France)
MOLECULAR ELECTROCHEMICAL CATALYSIS OF CO₂ AND N₂ WITH 6 ELECTRONS AND 6 PROTONS
Andrew Weller (University of York, UK)
AMINE BORANE DEHYDROPOLYMERISATION: FROM THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SMALL MOLECULE ACTIVATION TO TAILORED NEW POLYMERS FOR MATERIALS APPLICATIONS

Confirmed Invited Speakers

Sébastien Bontemps (LCC CNRS, France)
CASCADE REACTION FOR COMPLEX CO2 TRANSFORMATIONS
Deborah Kays (The University of Nottingham, UK)
Ellen Matson (University of Rochester, USA)
Rebecca Melen (Cardiff University, UK)
Franc Meyer (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany)
Hannah S. Shafaat (The Ohio State University)
Inke Siewert (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany)
J.C. (Chris) Slootweg (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Klaus H. Theopold (University of Delaware, USA)
Jarl Ivar van der Vlugt (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Target Audience

The target audience performs research within one of the abovementioned areas. It ranges from well-established scientists via independent junior researchers to young academics working on their PhD. The latter are particularly welcome, since the conference strongly benefits from new, fresh views and lively discussions in the lectures or at the poster sessions. Furthermore, the conference provides a unique opportunity for doctoral candidates to meet the leading scientists in their fields and inform themselves about potential postdoc supervisors; the size of the conference is ideal to support personal contacts.

Educational Need

Participants will learn about the concepts, prerequisites and applications of small molecule activation and get an update on the state-of-the-art of this vibrant research area. Students will learn to present their results in a comprehensive way on posters and to discuss them with experts, which will certainly advance their progress. Selected students will get the chance to outline their research in short lectures. The arrangement of their results concisely and intelligibly to an educated audience in a way that stimulates thoughts and triggers questions will be a sustainable experience for their further development.

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