B.S.E., Princeton, 2002
M. Eng., Princeton, 2003
Joined Bell Group: Fall 2004
Research: Solid Super Acid Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation in Ethylene Glycol Precursors
Synthesis gas generated from natural gas, coal, or biomass is a promising as a replacement for crude oil in the synthesis of fuels and chemicals. However, synthesis gas lacks carbon-carbon bonds found in most fuels and chemicals. While producing C1 compounds such as methanol and formaldehyde from synthesis gas is well understood, there are fewer technologies available for producing C2 compounds that contain the first crucial carbon-carbon bond.
My research interest is in using the acid-catalyzed Koch carbonylation reaction to couple two C1 molecules, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, to form a precursor to ethylene glycol, a C2 compound. My efforts have been to carry out the reaction under milder conditions than previously reported in the literature by using solid acids and low pressures of carbon monoxide. Catalysts under investigation for the reaction are heteropoly acids and acidic zeolites.
Office: 510-642-1536, Lab: 510-643-3535
