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Scripps Research Joint Appointments

Faculty, Kellogg School of Science and Technology

Other Joint Appointments

Director, Scripps Energy and Materials Laboratories
Visiting Associate, Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Faculty Associate, PEER Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

Research Focus

Design and Study of Coordination Catalysts for Small Molecule Conversion

CH₄ (and other hydrocarbons) N₂, O₂, H₂O and CO₂ are among the most abundant raw materials on Earth. The chemical conversions of these small molecules generate the majority of the World’s energy and materials. However, in spite of over 75 years of research, key fundamental chemistry challenges remain that lead to the generation of substantially more emissions, faster depletion of reserves, higher costs and greater dependence on petroleum than required. The focus of our research is to address these challenges and to design a new generation, Single-Site, coordination catalysts for the direct, selective, low temperature conversion of these molecules that would be substantially more efficient, lower cost and allow the use of abundant CH₄ for the production of Energy, Fuels and Chemicals. Our Approach is based on the rational, de novo design of homogeneous, transition metal, (Single-Site) coordination catalysts through an iterative process involving conceptual design, computational study, synthesis, characterization and study of reaction chemistry and mechanisms. Our research interests include catalysts for: CH hydroxylation; N₂ fixation, O2₂ activation, olefin hydration and CO₂ reduction.

Education

B.S., Chemistry, University of Michigan, 1979
Ph.D., Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 1985

Awards & Professional Activities

Co-Founder and Member of Board of Directors, Qateomix, Inc. Covina, CA Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship, 2007 Topics in Current Chemistry. Volume Editor: C-H Activation, 2005 “Seminaire Hors-Ville en Chimie Inorganique” Switzerland, September, 2001 Catalytica Adv. Technologies, Inc. Co-Founder and Vice President 1994 – 2000 Chairman of National ACS Inorganic Symposium in 1999

Selected References

Catalytic, Oxidative Condensation of CH4 to CH3COOH in One Step via CH Activation. Periana, R. A.; Mironov, O.; Taube, D.; Bhalla, G.; Jones, CJ. Science, 2003, 301, 814

Designing Catalysts for Functionalization of Unactivated C–H Bonds Based on the CH Activation Reaction. Hashiguchi, Brian G.; Bischof, Steven M.; Konnick, Michael, M.; Periana, Roy A.; Acc. Chem. Res. 2012, 45, 885-898.

A Mercury-Catalyzed, High-Yield System for the Oxidation of Methane to Methanol. Periana, R. A.; Taube, D. J.; Evitt, E. R.; Loffler, D. G.; Wentrcek, P. R.; Voss, G.; Masuda, T. Science 1993, 259, 340.

Platinum Catalysts for the High-Yield Oxidation of Methane to a Methanol Derivative. Periana, R. A.; Taube, D. J.; Gamble, S.; Taube, H.; Satoh, T.; Fujii, H. Science, 1998, 280, 560

Acceleration of Nucleophilic CH Activation by Strongly Basic Solvents. Hashiguchi, B. G.; Young, K. J. H.; Yousufuddin, M.; Goddard, W. A., III; Periana, R. A.  J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 12542.

Links

Scripps Energy & Materials Center Website