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 (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA)
F-BLOCK DINITROGEN COMPLEXES; FROM RARITY TO CATALYSIS IN THREE LIGAND MODIFICATIONS 
Sjoerd Harder (FAU)
Don Tilley (UC Berkeley, USA)
METAL OXO CLUSTERS IN OXIDATION CHEMISTRY AND WATER-SPLITTING CATALYSIS
Timothy Warren (Michigan State University)

Confirmed Keynote Speakers

Andy Borovik (University of California, Irvine, USA)
THE ROLE OF METAL-OXIDO COMPLEXES IN C–H BOND ACTIVATION
Kara Bren (University of Rochester, USA)
BIOMOLECULAR CATALYSTS FOR CARBON DIOXIDE AND NITROGEN OXYANION REDUCTION
Miquel Costas (University of Girona, Spain)
SITE AND ENANTIOSELECTIVE OXIDATION OF STRONG C-H BONDS WITH BIOINSPIRED CATALYSTS
Patrick Holland (Yale University, USA)
MECHANISMS OF NITROGEN REDUCTION BY IRON COMPLEXES
Marinella Mazzanti (EPFL, Switzerland)
DINITROGEN REDUCTION AND FUCTIONALIZATION BY MULTIMETALLIC URANIUM COMPLEXES
Marc Robert (Université de Paris, France)
MOLECULAR (PHOTO)ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF CO2 TO C1 PRODUCTS WITH 2 TO 8 ELECTRONS. FROM MECHANISTIC STUDIES TO HYBRID SYSTEMS AND DEVICES
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
Jaeheung Cho (UNIST)
Fabian Dielmann (Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck)
USING PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS TO CREATE VALUABLE PRODUCTS FROM CARBON DIOXIDE AND FROM SULFUR HEXAFLUORIDE
Deborah Kays (The University of Nottingham, UK)
CO SCISSION AND HOMOLOGATION USING LOW-COORDINATE COMPLEXES
Janusz Lewiński (Warsaw University of Technology)
Ellen Matson (University of Rochester, USA)
CONCERTED PROTON ELECTRON TRANSFER FOR SMALL MOLECULE ACTIVATION USING POLYOXOVANADATE-ALKOXIDE CLUSTERS
Rebecca Melen (Cardiff University, UK)
SINGLE OR DOUBLE? SINGLE AND TWO ELECTRON PATHWAYS IN FRUSTRATED LEWIS PAIR CHEMISTRY
Franc Meyer (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany)
David Morales-Morales (UNAM, Mexico)
Kallol Ray (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany)
SMALL MOLECULE ACTIVATION AT TRANSITION METAL CENTERS: STRUCTURE-FUNCTION CORRELATIONS
Hannah S. Shafaat (Ohio State University, USA)
BIOORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY IN MODEL METALLOENZYMES
Inke Siewert (Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany)
J.C. (Chris) Slootweg (University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)
A RADICAL APPROACH TO MAIN-GROUP CHEMISTRY
Daniel L. M. Suess (MIT, USA)
INSIGHTS INTO BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FIXATION DERIVED FROM CHEMICALLY MODIFIED NITROGENASE COFACTORS
Ian Tonks (University of Minnesota, Twin Cities)
REASSESSMENT OF N2 ACTIVATION BY LOW-VALENT Ti-AMIDE COMPLEXES: A REMARKABLE SIDE-ON BRIDGED BIS-N2 ADDUCT IS ACTUALLY AN ARENE ADDUCT
Jarl Ivar van der Vlugt (Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany)

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.