The Leading Scientists of the World Discussed the Mechanisms of Catalytic Reactions in Sochi

The XI International conference “Mechanisms of Catalytic Reactions” (MCR-XI) took place in Sochi in October. This important specialized forum was first held in Moscow in 1974 and since then it is a regular event in Russia happening every 3-4 years.

The conference was organized by Boreskov Institute of Catalysis along with N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Novosibirsk department of the Russian Mendeleev Chemical Society, and Presidium of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The meeting was held under the auspices of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS) and National Catalytic Society of Russia, collecting almost 200 participants from 45 cities and 15 countries. Financial support was given by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. The honorary conference partner was SPECS Surface Nano Analysis GmbH (Germany).

The Conference “Mechanisms of Catalytic Reactions” is the unique scientific event devoted solely to the problems of studying the mechanisms of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic transformations. A deep understanding of the mechanisms of catalytic reactions allows finding new approaches to the predicting of the catalytic action of the studied functional materials, development of technological basis for preparation and production of catalysts as well as development of new catalytic processes and optimization of the existing ones.

Scientific session discussion

The plenary and key lectures were presented by the leading researchers in the field of the mechanisms of catalytic reactions: Prof. Dr. Hendrik Bluhm (Germany), Prof. Dr. Jorge Gascon (Saudi Arabia), Prof. Dr. Jun Li (China), Prof. Dr. Christian Limberg (Germany), Academician Valentin Parmon (Russia), Prof. Dr. Günther Rupprechter (Austria), Prof. Dr. Paolo Fornasiero (Italy), Prof. Dr. Justin S.J. Hargreaves (Great Britain), Prof. Dr. Graham Hutchings (Great Britain), Dr. Oxana Kholdeeva (Russia). The organizing committee of the conference was headed by Academician Valerii Bukhtiyarov, director of Boreskov Institute of Catalysis.

The scope of the conference embraced the problems related to the fundamental research of the regularities of catalytic reactions, design of new catalytic systems, determination of their physicochemical properties; it also touched on the questions of the development of revolutionary as well as modified catalytic systems and processes. A special attention was given to the studying of the evolution of catalytic systems in the course of the reactions in situ and operando, theory and modeling in catalysis, catalytic systems for solving the top problems of energetics, sustainable development, and processing of the fossil and renewable sources.

This year MCR had a somewhat more “practical” character: a great attention was given to the applied problems where the role of catalysis is crucial for solving. In particular, the participants discussed the problems of development of energetics, processing of the fossil and renewable sources, recycling of carbon dioxide, synthesis of new materials and improving the life quality in general. The conference program demonstrated the unprecedented diversity of subjects, which indicates, in particular, a widening collaboration between the scientific organizations and industry in Russia.

At the poster session

“I found the XI International Conference on Mechanism of Catalytic Reactions to be a very valuable contribution to the science of catalysis, – Professor Graham Hutchings from Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University comments. – The breadth of the experimental and theoretical methods described showed us the real cutting edge of where catalysis and surface science is today. However, the high number of early career researchers attending was a real plus and their session of the conference was a real highlight because their enthusiasm is truly infectious for all of us. The location at Rosa Khutor was really well chosen and provided a very pleasant backdrop to this superb meeting”.

Professor Graham Hutchings

“First of all, I appreciated that the presentations reflected the field of catalysis in all its broadness and different aspects, across all material scales and from models to applied catalysts – Professor Christian Limberg from Humboldt University of Berlin says. – I found the atmosphere very friendly, and at the same time the discussions were rather lively. Organization was perfect, and the conference was held in a very pleasant place. It brought together people, whom I normally do not meet at other conferences I typically visit, and it was therefore a unique experience that also advanced my research. My scientific contact network has grown through this and new contacts have emerged “.

Professor Christian Limberg

“This excellent conference held in the magnificent setting of Rosa Khutor was the optimal size to facilitate discussion around the topic of Mechanisms of Catalytic Reactions, – Professor Justin Hargreaves from University of Glasgow notes. – It was particularly interesting to experience the rigorous and fundamental approach to kinetics, which is characteristic of a long tradition and contribution in the field in Russia being applied to mixture problems of both contemporary and historic interest. The organizers are to be congratulated in bringing together a truly international program which spanned fundamental investigations on model systems and applied catalysis as well as molecular catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis and which comprised a balance of experimental and theory based approaches“.

Professor Justin Hargreaves and Academician Valerii Bukhtiyarov

Dr. Vasily Kaichev, Boreskov Institute of Catalysis

“As usual, the level of the conference met the highest standards, – Dr. Vasily Kaichev, a representative of the MCR Scientific committee, says. – First of all, I would like to mention the splendid lecturers, mostly foreign scientists, who came from European countries, China, Saudi Arabia, etc. All lectures were quite enlightening and kindled great interest in the participants. I would also like to note that quite a number of young scientists took part in the conference, both post-graduate students and already accomplished researchers. All they were united by the wish to listen to the lectures of the prominent scientists, to present their own results and discuss the options for the joint research. In general, the conference was successful, the participants exchanged their knowledge, discussed the global trends in the development of the catalytic science, and widened their contacts in the academic circles”.