COSAM News Articles 2024 01 John F. Hartwig receives 2024 Kosolapoff Award sharing insight of catalysis and complex molecules

John F. Hartwig receives 2024 Kosolapoff Award sharing insight of catalysis and complex molecules

Published: 04/02/2024

By: Maria Gebhardt

On Wednesday, March 27 at 8 p.m., John F. Hartwig, the Henry Rapoport Chair in Organic Chemistry at the University of California Berkeley, received Auburn University’s 2024 Kosolapoff Award from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His lecture delved into his remarkable career.

“Tonight, you will hear from a distinguished speaker who has contributed to a breadth of research,” said Rashad Karimov, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry who introduced his former postdoctoral advisor.

Hartwig’s talk, Catalyzing Chemical Synthesis, discussed what chemistry can do to make complex molecules with direct applications to major industries from solar to communications.

“John Hartwig is a legend in the field of chemistry,” shared Jake Borges, a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “Just the chance to see a pioneer in the field of chemistry speak at Auburn is an incredible opportunity.”

Hartwig then discussed how a catalyst makes a chemical reaction faster and how a next generation catalyst can be even more efficient.

“It creates a new pathway with lower barriers,” said Hartwig. “The revolution in catalysis is to make more molecules that are made better than nature.”

Hartwig explained how his research group, the Hartwig Group, has made contributions to research through catalysis.

“Chemistry builds the foundation for my career and helps me understand how things work,” explained Caleb Powell, a freshman majoring in civil engineering. “I am excited to be here tonight to hear him speak.”

He then shared how catalysis directly impacts the field of medicine and new drug development. He talked about how five FDA-approved drugs use practical coupling and drugs like Doravirin use applications of catalysis.

“This event ties in with my career goal of medicine development,” said Kale Smith, a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “The Buchwald-Hartwig coupling is a reaction named after tonight’s speak and I am looking forward to hearing from him.”

He gave examples of how his research group takes a complex molecule and improves upon it.

“Catalysis is a new way to think of organic chemistry,” said Hartwig.