Light as a reagent, chaired by Jacinto Sá and Géraldine Masson
In catalytic organic synthesis, light can be considered a traceless reagent due to its unique ability to drive chemical reactions without introducing any byproducts or altering the chemical composition of the final product. Unlike traditional reagents, light serves purely as an energy source. It activates catalysts, promotes electronic excitations, or induces specific reaction pathways, such as in photocatalysis or photoredox reactions, without becoming part of the molecular transformations. As a result, the use of light minimizes contamination and simplifies purification processes, making it an environmentally friendly and highly efficient tool in synthetic chemistry. This traceless nature of light enhances its appeal in green chemistry, where reducing waste and improving sustainability are key goals.
This session aims to highlight the latest advancements in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis using light for the synthesis of societally relevant molecules. We encourage presentations on novel reactions and catalysts, mechanistic insights, and engineering innovations that facilitate the translation of these processes to industrial applications in the chemical sector.
Special session 2:
Intermetallic compounds in catalysis, chaired by Marc Armbrüster and Iryna Antonyshyn
Intermetallic compounds have proven their potential in heterogeneous catalysis in many reactions as high-performance materials and as vehicle to gain deep understanding. The session aims at catalysis over intermetallic compounds and is open for experimental and quantum chemical contributions concerning their synthesis, characterisation (including operando) and catalytic/electrocatalytic properties.
(Figure is from Phys. Rev. Materials 8, 105801)
Special session 3:
Catalysts and reactors under dynamic conditions for energy storage and conversion, chaired by Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt and Linda Klag from KIT, and Tanja Franken, TU Darmstadt, all Germany
The intermittent availability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power represents one of the greatest challenges for the energy transition and a future CO2-neutral chemical industry as well as future catalysis. To overcome this fluctuating supply, electricity generated on windy and sunny days can be stored in the form of chemical energy carriers (e.g., hydrogen or hydrocarbons), which requires the use of catalysts, reactors and electrochemical cells under externally controlled dynamic reaction conditions. However, the influence of dynamic conditions on catalytic reaction systems has hardly been considered so far, as chemical reactors are mostly operated in stationary mode. At the same time, studying catalysts under transient conditions is an excellent way to learn more about the active site and the reaction mechanism. This session will focus on recent fundamental and methodological advances linked to dynamic operating conditions are presented, focusing on catalyst design, kinetic modelling, molecular modelling, operando spectroscopy and reactor concepts. This session on catalysts and reactors under dynamic conditions will therefore focus on, but not be limited to, reactions for energy storage and conversion.
Special sesion 4:
From data to AI: Catalysis digitization and ML-driven methodologies, chaired by Pedro F. Mendes, Tecnico Lisboa, Portugal and Núria López, Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Spain
The application of data science, machine learning and, most recently, artificial intelligence has been expanding over the last few years in catalysis. With this, new challenges also arise, namely regarding the digitalization of catalysis data in a FAIR and open manner. The aim of this session is to discuss (1) the methodological advancements on data-driven catalysis; (2) novel insights brought by the use of data science, ML and AI tools, (3) developments on the infrastructure supporting catalysis digitalization.
Special session 5:
Frontiers in Enzyme Catalysis: Bridging Chemistry and Biology for Sustainable Biotransformation, chaired by Changzhu Wu, University of Southern Denmark
This session delves into the broad and dynamic field of enzyme catalysis, highlighting its pivotal role in merging chemical and biological sciences to drive sustainable biosynthesis. Discussions will encompass fundamental advances in enzyme design, engineering, and kinetics, alongside their application in biocatalysis for complex chemical transformations. Key themes include exploring enzyme mechanisms, chemoenzymatic pathways, and new-to-nature biocatalysis, as well as industrial applications in pharmaceuticals, green chemistry, and bio-based production. By addressing both foundational research and translational opportunities, this session aims to showcase the versatility of enzyme catalysis as a tool for achieving efficient, selective, and environmentally friendly processes. Contributions from academia and industry are welcome to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and inspire collaborative solutions for global challenges.
Special session 6:
Electrification of catalytic reactions and reactors, chaired by Joris Thybaut, Ghent University, Belgium and Marilena Radoiu, Microwave Technologies Consulting, France
Electrification is a key factor for realizing the European Green deal. This topical session on ‘Electrification of catalytic reactions and reactors’ aims at providing a forum for the latest innovations in employing electricity for powering catalytic reactions and reactors, instead of traditional fossil resources. This session is a joint initiative by five ongoing European projects, e¬CODUCT, EReTech, ēQATOR, TITAN and STORMING, all developing novel technologies for catalytic reactions in electrified reactors, either by Joule, microwave or induction heating.
Contributions to this session are expected in relation to ‘advances in energy optimization and efficiency’, ‘novel reactor design and material components', ‘challenges and innovative solutions for electrically powering catalytic reactions’, or ‘the role of electrification in decarbonizing the chemical process industry’. Insights into the recent technological developments and potential applications of electrification to reduce emissions, improve process control, and enable green chemistry will be shared. The session is open for submissions by any author, i.e., abstracts not related to any of the five organizing projects are welcome and even encouraged, as is the participation/attendance to the session on site!
If you want to become a part of one of the special sessions, you indicate this in the abstract submission portal by choosing the actual session under Topic and Methodology, Dimension 1-Topic
