Prof. Dr. Walter Leitner - Molekulare Katalyse

Vita
Dipl.-Chem. Univ. (Chemie)Universität Regensburg (1982-1987)
Dr. rer. nat.Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Universität Regensburg (1987-1989)
PostdocDyson Perrins Laboratory for Organic Chemistry, University of Oxford, UK (1990)
StipendiumLiebig-Stipendiat des Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, Universität Regensburg (1991-1992)
Wiss. MA
Max-Planck-Arbeitsgruppe CO2-Chemie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (1992-1995)
HabilitationFriedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (1995)
PrivatdozentFriedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (1995)
GruppenleiterAbteilung 'Organische Synthese', Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim/Ruhr (1995-1998)
Leiter des Technikums
Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim/Ruhr (1998-2002)
Lehrstuhlvertretung
Technische Chemie und Petrolchemie, RWTH Aachen (2000-2002)
LehrstuhlinhaberTechnische Chemie und Petrolchemie, Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, RWTH Aachen (seit 2002)
Ext. Wiss. MitgliedMax-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim/Ruhr (2002-2017)
DirektorMolekulare Katalyse, MPI CEC (seit 2017)
Publications

Full publications list | ORCID | ResearcherID

MPI CEC publications

2026

  • Stahl, S., Steinwachs, L., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2026). Continuously operated liquid-phase methanol synthesis uncovering the de-/activation pathways of a molecular manganese catalyst system. Green Chemistry. doi:10.1039/d5gc05072c.
  • Kick, A. C., Schatz, M., Kahl, C., Hölscher, M., Eichel, R. A., Granwehr, J., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2025). Mapping proton and carbon dioxide electrocatalytic reductions at a Rh complex by in situ spectroelectrochemical NMR. Chemical Science, Advanced Article. doi:10.1039/d5sc05744b.

  • Hu, J.; Lacroix, L. M.; Johny, J.; Ghosh, S.; Wolf, E. H.; Ji, J.; Lin, S.-H.; Durai, M.; Schöne, A. B.; Hetaba, W.; Ruland, H.; Leitner, W.; Bordet, A. (2026). Low-Temperature Reverse Water-Gas Shift Enabled by Magnetically Induced Catalysis, Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, Early Access. doi:10.1002/anie.202523576.

2025

  • Zenner, J., Kang, L. Q., Antil, N., Johny, J., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). Bimetallic MnxRu100−x Nanoparticles on Supported Ionic Liquid Phases (MnxRu100−x@SILP) as Tunable Hydrogenation Catalysts. ACS Catalysis, 15 (4), 3227-3235. 10.1021/acscatal.4c05494.
  • Vossen, J. T., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Selective Construction of Linear Carbon Chains Using Synthesis Gas (CO/H2) for C1-Elongation via a Three-Step Reaction Cycle. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13 (9), 3797-3805. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c10677.
  • Thanheuser, N., Schlichter, L., Leitner, W., Esteban, J., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) synthesis in a deep eutectic solvent-based biphasic system: closing the loop of solvent reuse, product isolation and green metrics. RSC Sustainability, 3 (4), 1848-1858. doi:10.1039/d4su00733f.
  • Thanheuser, N., Groteguth, J. T., Leitner, W., Esteban, J., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Biphasic Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a Recyclable Deep Eutectic Solvent-based System Catalyzed by H4SiW12O40. ChemSusChem, 18 (3), e202401485. doi:10.1002/cssc.202401485.
  • Stahl, S., Vossen, J. T., Popp, S., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Methanolation of Olefins: Low-Pressure Synthesis of Alcohols by the Formal Addition of Methanol to Olefins. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 64 (7), e202418984. doi:10.1002/anie.202418984.
  • Schoofs, L., Weidener, D., Leitner, W., Klose, H., Grande, P. M. (2025). Lignocellulose Treatment Using a Flow-Through Variant of OrganoCat Process. ChemSusChem, 18 (3), e202401063. doi:10.1002/cssc.202401063.
  • Obst, S., Köhnke, K., Seidensticker, T., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Development of a Highly Active Catalyst System with Tuneable Selectivity for the Hydroformylation of the Renewable 1,3-Diene β-Myrcene. ChemCatChem, 17 (14), e00553. doi:10.1002/cctc.202500553.
  • Lin, S. H., Ahmedi, S., Kretschmer, A., Campalani, C., Kayser, Y., Kang, L. Q., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). Low pressure amide hydrogenation enabled by magnetocatalysis. Nature Communications, 16 (1), 3464. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-58713-6.
  • Jurling-Will, P., Linnartz, N. J., Francio, G., Leitner, W. (2025). Catalytic Synthesis of Acetic Acid from Methanol Using Formic Acid as a Renewable CO Source. Energy & Fuels, 39 (47), 22645-22651. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c04169.
  • Johny, J., Anandaraj, S. J. L., Mehrmann, C., Wei, X., Das, A., Scheer, N., Yang, Y. K., Hetaba, W., Ebbinghaus, P., Simon, U., Eichel, R. A., Hausen, F., Uphoff, H., Mertins, H. C., Campen, R. K., Tong, Y. J., Rabe, M., Leitner, W., Bordet, A., Tesch, M. F. (2025). Unraveling the Nanoscale Structure of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 12, 2500073. doi:10.1002/admi.202500073.
  • Fang, W. T., Zhang, Y. Y., Kang, L. Q., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A., Riisager, A. (2025). Molecularly modified aluminum phosphates as support materials for Ru nanoparticles in selective hydrogenation. Journal of Catalysis, 442, 115911. doi:10.1016/j.jcat.2024.115911.
  • Durin, G., Lee, M., Pogany, M. A., Kahl, C., Weyhermüller, T., Leitner, W., Kaeffer, N. (2025). Electrochemical aldehyde hydrogenation: probing the inner-sphere strategy with nickel-bipyridine complexes. Chemical Communications, 61 (3), 520-523. doi:10.1039/d4cc04050c.
  • Durai, M., Wu, Y. F., Johny, J., Hetaba, W., Wiegand, T., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). One-pot synthesis of E-chalcones using a multifunctional catalyst comprised of ruthenium nanoparticles and palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes immobilized on silica. Chemical Science, 16 (14), 5776-5785. doi:10.1039/d4sc07773c.
  • Campalani, C., Durai, M., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). Photo-induced enhancement of hydrogenation activity for ruthenium nanoparticles immobilized on carbon dots. Green Chemistry, 27 (10), 2666-2671. doi:10.1039/d4gc05468g.
  • Bordet, A., Leitner, W., Chaudret, B. (2025). Magnetically Induced Catalysis: Definition, Advances, and Potential. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 64 (24), e202424151 doi:10.1002/anie.202424151.
  • Belleflamme, M., Mersmann, S., Ince, R., Wiegand, T., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Rational catalyst design for acetaldehyde upgrading - an in-depth study on the use of a solid base and the development of a second generation supported N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst. Green Chemistry, 27, 14317-14327. doi:10.1039/d5gc03630e.
  • Antil, N. L., Anandaraj, S. J., Kang, L., Ghazi Zahedi, H., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). Ruthenium Nanoparticles on Water-Stable Supported Ionic Liquid Phases as Catalytic Systems for Aqueous Phase CO2 Hydrogenation. ACS Catalysis, 15 (17), 14601-14610. doi:10.1021/acscatal.5c03605.
  • Anastas, P. T., Leitner, W. (2025). Transform the World through Chemistry. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 64 (33), e202512699. doi:10.1002/anie.202512699.
  • Ahmedi, S., Lacroix, L.-M., Demirbas, D., SantaLucia, D. J., Weidenthaler, C., Hetaba, W., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). Magnetically Induced Iron-Catalyzed Hydrodeoxygenation of Benzylic Esters and Polyesters. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 147 (38), 34758-34766. doi:10.1021/jacs.5c10464.

2024

  • Zhang, Y. Y., Levin, N., Kang, L. Q., Müller, F., Zobel, M., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2024). Design and Understanding of Adaptive Hydrogenation Catalysts Triggered by the H2/CO2-Formic Acid Equilibrium. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 146 (44), 30057-30067. doi:10.1021/jacs.4c06765.
  • Zenner, J., Tran, K., Kang, L. Q., Kinzel, N. W., Werlé, C., DeBeer, S., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2024). Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Application of Colloidal and Supported Manganese Nanoparticles. Chemistry-a European Journal, 30 (25). doi:10.1002/chem.202304228.
  • Wessel, N., Medhekar, R. S., Sonnenberg, M., Stieber, H., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2024). Catalyst in Sight: The Use of Benchtop NMR Spectrometers to Maintain the Activity of Pd-PPh3 Catalysts. ACS Catalysis, 14 (14), 10679-10688. doi:10.1021/acscatal.4c02606.
  • Vossen, J. T., Patzina, F., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2024). Studying the Recycling and Deactivation of Rh/Biphephos Complexes in the Isomerization-Hydroformylation Tandem Reaction. Acs Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c03970.
  • Voelker, S., Groll, N., Bachmann, M. Mueller, L., Neumann, M., Kossioris, T., Muthyala, P., Lehrheuer, B., Hofmeister, M., Vorholt, A., Schmitz, K., Pischinger, S., Leitner, W., Bardow, A. (2024). Towards carbon-neutral and clean propulsion in heavy-duty transportation with hydroformylated Fischer-Tropsch fuels. Nature Energy, 9 (10), 1220-1229. doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01581-z.
  • Stahl, S., Wessel, N., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2024). Liquid-phase hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to methanol using a recyclable manganese-based catalytic system. Green Chemistry, 26 (13), 7799-7805. doi:10.1039/d4gc01050g
  • Solmi, M. V., Vossen, J. T., Schmitz, M., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2024). Catalytic synthesis of carboxylic acids from oxygenated substrates using CO2 and H2 as C1 building blocks. Green Chemistry, 26 (12), 7302-7311. doi:10.1039/d4gc01732c.
  • Singh, A., Kemper, G., Weyhermüller, T., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2024). Activated Mn-MACHO Complexes Form Stable CO2 Adducts. Chemistry-a European Journal, 30 (9), e202303438. doi:10.1002/chem.202303438.
  • Nasse, K. E., Heinen, F. S., Pawlowsky, N., Schrimpf, M., Monflier, E., Tilloy, S., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2024). The role of cyclodextrins in the acceleration of the reaction rate in a biphasic hydroformylations. Chemical Engineering Journal, 497, 154114. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2024.154114.
  • Mondal, T., Leitner, W., Hölscher, M. (2024). Computational design of cooperatively acting molecular catalyst systems: carbene based tungsten- or molybdenum-catalysts with rhodium- or iridium-complexes for the ionic hydrogenation of N2 to NH3. Dalton Transactions, 53 (18), 7890-7898. doi:10.1039/d4dt00563e.
  • Leitner, W. (2024). Carbon dioxide and hydrogen as building blocks for a sustainable interface of energy and chemistry. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society a-Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 382 (2282). doi:10.1098/rsta.2023.0266.
  • Leclerc, H. O., Erythropel, H. C., Backhaus, A., Lee, D. S., Judd, D. R., Paulsen, M. M., Ishii, M., Long, A., Ratjen, L., Bertho, G. G., Deetman, C., Du, Y., Lane, M. K. M., Petrovic, P. V., Champlin, A. T., Bordet, A., Kaeffer, N., Kemper, G., Zimmerman, J. B., Leitner, W., Anastas, P. T. (2024). The CO2 Tree: The Potential for Carbon Dioxide Utilization Pathways. ACD Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13 (1), 5-29. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c07582.
  • Köhnke, K., Björnsson, R., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J., Mechanistic Aspects of Rhodium-Catalyzed Isoprene Hydroformylation: A Computational Study, Organometallics 2024. doi: 10.1021/acs.organomet.3c00414.
  • Klos, N., Osterthun, O., Mengers, H. G., Lanzerath, P., von Westarp, W. G., Lim, G., Gausmann, M., Küsters-Spöring, J. D., Wiesenthal, J., Guntermann, N., Lauterbach, L., Jupke, A., Leitner, W., Blank, L. M., Klankermayer, J., Rother, D. (2024). Concatenating Microbial, Enzymatic, and Organometallic Catalysis for Integrated Conversion of Renewable Carbon Sources. Jacs Au. doi:10.1021/jacsau.4c00511.
  • Kick, A. C., Weyhermüller, T., Hölscher, M., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2024). Understanding Ligand Effects on Bielectronic Transitions: Chemo- and Electroreduction of Rhodium Bis(Diphosphine) Complexes to Low Oxidation States. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 63 (37). doi:10.1002/anie.202408356.
  • Fassbach, T. A., Ji, J. M., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2024). Recycling of Homogeneous Catalysts-Basic Principles, Industrial Practice, and Guidelines for Experiments and Evaluation. ACS Catalysis, 14 (9), 7289-7298. doi:10.1021/acscatal.4c01006.
  • Ehmann, K. R., Ji, J. M., Dinsing, K., Maier, C. R., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2024). Introducing a Second Liquid Phase in the Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation to Formic Acid: Impact on Catalytic Conversion in Ru-Catalyzed Systems. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 12 (42), 15569-15577. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c05493.
  • Belleflamme, M., Hommes, J., Dervisoglu, R., Bartalucci, E., Wiegand, T., Beine, A. K., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2024). Catalytic Upgrading of Acetaldehyde to Acetoin Using a Supported N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst. Chemsuschem, 17 (22). doi:10.1002/cssc.202400647.

2023

  • Zhang, Y. Y., El Sayed, S., Kang, L. Q., Sanger, M., Wiegand, T., Jessop, P. G., DeBeer, S., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2023). Adaptive Catalysts for the Selective Hydrogenation of Bicyclic Heteroaromatics using Ruthenium Nanoparticles on a CO2-Responsive Support. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 62 (48), e202311427. doi:10.1002/anie.202311427.
  • Vossen, J. T., Leitner, W.,  Vorholt, A. J.  (2023). Exploring the Hurdles in Thermomorphic Multicomponent Systems in the Rhodium-Catalyzed Multiphase Hydroformylation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 11 (28), 10462-10470. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c01885.
  • Vossen, J. T., Hülsken, N., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2023). Recycling of a thermoresponsive "catalyst pill": separation of a molecular catalyst in solid ethylene carbonate in various reactions. Green Chemistry, 25 (7), 2872-2880. doi:10.1039/d2gc04822a.
  • Sodreau, A., Zahedi, H. G., Dervisoglu, R., Kang, L., Menten, J., Zenner, J., Terefenko, N., DeBeer, S., Wiegand, T., Bordet, A.,  Leitner, W.  (2023). A Simple and Versatile Approach for the Low-Temperature Synthesis of Transition Metal Phosphide Nanoparticles from Metal Chloride Complexes and P(SiMe3)3. Advanced Materials, 35 (49), 2306621. doi:10.1002/adma.202306621.
  • Singh, A., Kemper, G., Weyhermüller, T., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2023). Activated Mn-MACHO Complexes Form Stable CO2 Adducts, Chemistry-a European Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202303438.
  • Nattermann, M., Wenk, S., Pfister, P., He, H., Lee, S. H., Szymanski, W., Guntermann, N., Zhu, F. Y., Nickel, L., Wallner, C., Zarzycki, J., Paczia, N., Gaissert, N., Franciò, G., Leitner, W., Gonzalez, R., Erb, T. J. (2023). Engineering a new-to-nature cascade for phosphate-dependent formate to formaldehyde conversion in vitro and in vivo. Nature Communications, 14 (1), 2682. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-38072-w.
  • Mengers, H. G., Guntermann, N., von Westarp, W. G., Jupke, A., Klankermayer, J., Blank, L. M., Leitner, W., Rother, D. (2023). Three Sides of the Same Coin: Combining Microbial, Enzymatic, and Organometallic Catalysis for Integrated Conversion of Renewable Carbon Sources. Chemie-Ingenieur-Technik, 95(4),485-490 doi:10.1002/cite.202200169.
  • Marchenko, N., Lacroix, L. M., Ratel-Ramond, N., Leitner, W., Bordet, A., Tricard, S. (2023). Bimetallic Fe x Pt100-x Nanoparticles Immobilized on Supported Ionic Liquid Phases as Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation Catalysts: Influence of the Metal Content on Activity and Selectivity. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 6 (21), 20231-20239. doi:10.1021/acsanm.3c03996.
  • Levin, N., Goclik, L., Walschus, H., Antil, N., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2023). Decarboxylation and Tandem Reduction/Decarboxylation Pathways to Substituted Phenols from Aromatic Carboxylic Acids Using Bimetallic Nanoparticles on Supported Ionic Liquid Phases as Multifunctional Catalysts. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145 (41), 22845-22854. doi:10.1021/jacs.3c09290.
  • Kemper, G., Hölscher, M., Leitner, W. (2023). Pd(II)-catalyzed carboxylation of aromatic C─H bonds with CO2. Science Advances, 9 (5). doi:10.1126/sciadv.adf2966.
  • Jenthra, S., Mondal, T., Kemper, G., Lantzius-Beninga, M., Hölscher, M., Leitner, W. (2023). Ligand-Controlled Palladium-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Heck Coupling for Regioselective Access to Branched Olefins. ACS Catalysis, 13 (15), 10085-10093. doi:10.1021/acscatal.3c02224.
  • Hau, J. L., Kaltwasser, S., Muras, V., Casutt, M. S., Vohl, G., Claussen, B., Steffen, W., Leitner, W., Bill, E., Cutsail, G. E., DeBeer, S., Vonck, J., Steuber, J., Fritz, G. (2023). Conformational coupling of redox-driven Na+-translocation in Vibrio cholerae NADH:quinone oxidoreductase. Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 30 (11), 1686–1694. doi:10.1038/s41594-023-01099-0.
  • Han, C., Zenner, J., Johny, J., Kaeffer, N., Bordet, A.,  Leitner, W. (2023). Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of alkenes with Pd/carbon nanotubes at an oil-water interface. Nature Catalysis, 5(12), 1110-1119. doi:10.1038/s41929-022-00882-4.
  • Durin, G., Lee, M., Pogany, M. A., Weyhermüller, T., Kaeffer, N.,  Leitner, W.  (2023). Hydride-Free Hydrogenation: Unraveling the Mechanism of Electrocatalytic Alkyne Semihydrogenation by Nickel-Bipyridine Complexes. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145 (31), 17103-17111. doi:10.1021/jacs.3c03340.
  • Durin, G., Kaeffer, N.,  Leitner, W. (2023). Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds with molecular complexes: Mechanistic views. Current Opinion in Electrochemistry, 41, 101371. doi:10.1016/j.coelec.2023.101371.
  • Cramer, H. H., Das, S., Wodrich, M. D., Corminboeuf, C., Werlé, C., Leitner, W.  (2023). Theory-guided development of homogeneous catalysts for the reduction of CO2 to formate, formaldehyde, and methanol derivatives. Chemical Science, 14 (11), 2799-2807. doi:10.1039/d2sc06793e.
  • Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2023). Adaptive Catalytic Systems for Chemical Energy Conversion. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 62 (33), e202301956. doi:10.1002/anie.202301956.
  • Anandaraj, S. J. L., Kang, L. Q., DeBeer, S., Bordet, A.,  Leitner, W (2023). Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formate Using Ruthenium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Supported Ionic Liquid Phases. Small, 19 (18), 2206806. doi:10.1002/smll.202206806.

2018-2022

  • Ullmann, L., Guntermann, N., Kohl, P., Schröders, G., Müsgens, A., Francio, G., Leitner, W., Blank, L. M. (2022). Improved Itaconate Production with Ustilago cynodontis via Co-Metabolism of CO2-Derived Formate. JOURNAL OF FUNGI, 8(12): 1277, pp. 1-17. doi:10.3390/jof8121277.
  • Antico, E., Leutzsch, M., Wessel, N., Weyhermüller, T., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2022). Selective oxidation of silanes into silanols with water using [MnBr(CO)(5)] as a precatalyst. Chemical Science, 14(1), 54-60. doi:10.1039/d2sc05959b.
  • Kalsi, D., Anandaraj, S. J. L., Durai, M., Weidenthaler, C., Emondts, M., Nolan, S. P., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2022). One-Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of Allyl and Alkylamines Using a Catalytic System Composed of Ruthenium Nanoparticles on Copper N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Modified Silica. ACS Catalysis, 12(24), 14902-14910. doi:10.1021/acscatal.2c04044.
  • Kuss, D. A., Hölscher, M., Leitner, W. (2022). Combined Computational and Experimental Investigation on the Mechanism of CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol with Mn-PNP-Pincer Catalysts. ACS Catalysis, (12), 15310-15322. doi:10.1021/acscatal.2c04806.
  • Diehl, T., Lanzerath, P., Francio, G.,  Leitner, W. (2022). A Self-Separating Multiphasic System for Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 and CO2-Derivatives to Methanol. ChemSusChem, (15): e202201250, pp. 1-8. doi:10.1002/cssc.202201250.
  • October, J., Köhnke, K., Thanheuser, N., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2022). Reppe-Carbonylation of Alkenes with Carboxylic Acids: A Catalytic and Mechanistic Study. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2022(43): e202201018, pp. 1-7. doi:10.1002/ejoc.202201018.
  • Ehmann, K. R., Nisters, A., Vorholt, A. J.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation to Formic Acid with Self-Separating Product and Recyclable Catalyst Phase. ChemCatChem, 14(19): e2022008, pp. 1-7. doi:10.1002/cctc.202200892.
  • Guntermann, N., Francio, G.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid in biphasic systems using aqueous solutions of amino acids as the product phase. Green Chemistry, (xx), 1-7. doi:10.1039/d2gc02598a.
  • Rösler, T., Betting, J., Püschel, S., Vorholt, A. J.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Solvent design for catalyst recycling of rhodium/amine catalysts via scCO(2) extraction in the reductive hydroformylation of alpha olefins. Green Chemistry, 24(17), 6578-6588. doi:10.1039/d2gc01252a.
  • Strohmann, M. P., Vorholt, A. J.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Branched Tertiary Amines from Aldehydes and alpha-Olefins by Combined Multiphase Tandem Reactions. CHEMISTRY A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, (xx): e202202081, pp. 1-8. doi:10.1002/chem.202202081.
  • Lin, S.-H., Hetaba, W., Chaudret, B., Leitner, W.,  Bordet, A. (2022). Copper-Decorated Iron Carbide Nanoparticles Heated by Magnetic Induction as Adaptive Multifunctional Catalysts for the Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Aldehydes. Advanced Energy Materials,12(42) 2201783, pp. 1-10. doi:10.1002/aenm.202201783.
  • Kliemann, M. N., Teeuwen, S., Weike, C., Francio, G.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrohydrazonemethylation of Styrenes: Access to Chiral Hydrazones, Hydrazides, Hydrazines and Amines. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, (364), 4006-4012. doi:10.1002/adsc.202200804.
  • Kacem, S., Qiao, Y., Wirtz, C., Theyssen, N., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2022). Supercritical carbon dioxide as reaction medium for selective hydrogenation of fluorinated arenes. Green Chemistry, (24), 8671-8676. doi:10.1039/d2gc02623f..
  • Jürling-Will, P., Botz, T., Francio, G., Leitner, W. (2022). A "Power-to-X" Route to Acetic Acid via Palladium-Catalyzed Isomerization of Methyl Formate. ChemSusChem, e202201006, pp. 1-7. doi:10.1002/cssc.202201006.
  • Schrimpf, M., Graefe, P. A., Holl, A., Vorholt, A. J.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Effect of Liquid-Liquid Interfacial Area on Biphasic Catalysis Exemplified by Hydroformylation. ACS Catalysis, (12), 7850-7861. doi:10.1021/acscatal.2c01972.
  • Kaeffer, N.  Leitner, W. (2022). Electrocatalysis with Molecular Transition-Metal Complexes for Reductive Organic Synthesis. JACS Au 2022 2 (6), 1266-1289. doi:10.1021/jacsau.2c00031
  • Jeske, K., Rösler, T., Belleflamme, M., Rodenas, T., Fischer, N., Claeys, M., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J., Prieto, G. (2022). Direct Conversion of Syngas to Higher Alcohols via Tandem Integration of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Reductive Hydroformylation. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, e202201004, pp. 1-9. doi:10.1002/anie.202201004.
  • Vossen, J. T., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2022). Catalyst Recycling in the Reactive Distillation of Primary Alcohols to Olefins Using a Phosphoric Acid Catalyst. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING, 10(18), 5922-5931. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c00237.
  • Lee, M.-Y., Kahl, C., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2022). Electrocatalytic Semihydrogenation of Alkynes with [Ni(bpy)3]2+. Journal of the American Chemical Society, (2), 573-578. doi:10.1021/jacsau.1c00574.
  • Sisodiya-Amrute, S., Van Stappen, C., Rengshausen, S., Han, C., Sodreau, A., Weidenthaler, C., Tricard, S., DeBeer, S., Chaudret, B., Bordet, A.,  Leitner, W. (2022). <p>Bimetallic MxRu100_x nanoparticles (M = Fe, Co) on supported ionic liquid phases (MxRu100-x@SILP) as hydrogenation catalysts: Influence of M and M:Ru ratio on activity and selectivity</p>. Journal of Catalysis,(407), 141-148. doi:10.1016/j.jcat.2022.01.030.
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  • Köhnke, K., Wessel, N., Esteban, J., Jing, J., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2022). Operando monitoring of mechanisms and deactivation of molecular catalysts. Green Chemistry, 24(5), 1951-1972. doi:10.1039/d1gc04383h.
  • Hoffmann, M., Hermesmann, M., Leven, M., Leitner, W.,  Müller, T. E. (2022). Semi-Crystalline Polyoxymethylene-co-Polyoxyalkylene Multi-Block Telechels as Building Blocks for Polyurethane Applications. Polymers, 14(5): 882, pp. 1-24. doi:10.3390/polym14050882.
  • Goclik, L., Walschus, H., Bordet, A.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Selective hydrodeoxygenation of acetophenone derivatives using a Fe25Ru75@SILP catalyst: a practical approach to the synthesis of alkyl phenols and anilines. Green Chemistry, (24), 2937-2945. doi:10.1039/d1gc04189d.
  • Hölscher, M., Kemper, G., Jenthra, S., Bolm, C.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Factors Governing the Catalytic Insertion of CO2 into Arenes - A DFT Case Study for Pd and Pt Phosphane Sulfonamido Complexes. Chemistry – A European Journal, e202104375, pp. 1-9. doi:10.1002/chem.202104375.
  • Machat, M. R., Marbach, J., Schumacher, H., Raju, S., Lansing, M., Over, L. C., Adler, L., Langanke, J., Wolf, A., Leitner, W., Gürtler, C. (2022). Turning CO/CO2-containing industrialprocess gas into valuable building blocks for the polyurethane industry. REACTION CHEMISTRYENGINEERING, (7), 580-589. doi:10.1039/d1re00508a.
  • Püschel, S., Hammami, E., Rösler, T., Ehmann, K. R., Vorholt, A. J.,  Leitner, W. (2022). Auto-tandem catalytic reductive hydroformylation with continuous multiphase catalyst recycling. Catalysis Science & Technology, (12) 728-736. doi:10.1039/d1cy02000e.
  • Guntermann, N., Mengers, H. G., Francio, G., Blank, L. M.,  Leitner, W. (2021). Bio-energy conversion with carbon capture and utilization (BECCU): integrated biomass fermentation and chemo-catalytic CO2 hydrogenation for bioethanol and formic acid co-production. Green Chemistry, 23(24), 9860-9864. doi:10.1039/d1gc02915k.
  • Cramer, H. H., Ye, S., Neese, F., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2021). Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Carbon Dioxide to the Formic Acid, Formaldehyde, and Methanol Level-How to Control the Catalytic Network? JACS Au, 1(11), 2058-2069. doi:10.1021/jacsau.1c00350.
  • Kinzel, N. W., Demirbas, D., Bill, E., Weyhermüller, T., Werlé, C., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2021). Systematic Variation of 3d Metal Centers in a Redox-Innocent Ligand Environment: Structures, Electrochemical Properties, and Carbon Dioxide Activation. Inorganic Chemistry, (xx), xx-xx. doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c02909.
  • Kinzel, N. W., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2021). Transition Metal Complexes as Catalysts for the Electroconversion of CO2: An Organometallic Perspective. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, (60), 11268-11686. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202006988
  • Kreissl, H., Jin, J., Lin, S.-H., Schütte, D., Störtte, S., Levin, N., Chaudret, B., Vorholt, A., Bordet, A. Leitner, W. (2021). Commercial Cu2Cr2O5 Decorated with Iron Carbide Nanoparticles as Multifunctional Catalyst for Magnetically Induced Continuous Flow Hydrogenation of Aromatic Ketones. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, (xx), xx-xx. doi:10.1002/anie.202107916.
  • Kaithal, A., Chatterjee, B., Werlé, C.,  Leitner, W. (2021). Acceptorless dehydrogenation of methanol to carbon monoxide and hydrogen using molecular catalysts. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, (xx), xx-xx. doi:10.1002/anie.202110910.
  • Zenner, J., Moos, G., Luska, K. L., Bordet, A.,  Leitner, W. (2021). Rh NPs Immobilized on Phosphonium- based Supported Ionic Liquid Phases (Rh@SILPs) as Hydrogenation Catalysts. Chimia, 75(9), 724-732. doi:10.2533/chimia.2021.724.
  • Weidener, D., Klose, H., Graf von Westarp, W., Jupke, A., Leitner, W., De Maria, P. D., Grande,P.M.  (2021). Selective lignin fractionation using CO2-expanded 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF). Green Chemistry, (23), 6330-6336. doi:10.1039/D1GC01651B.
  • Rösler, T., Ehmann, K. R., Köhnke, K., Leutzsch, M., Wessel, N., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W.  (2021). Reductive hydroformylation with a selective and highly active rhodium amine system. Journal of Catalysis, 400, 234-243. doi:10.1016/j.jcat.2021.06.001.
  • Bardow, A., Bizzarri, C., Cao, X. E., Cowan, A. J., Cummings, C., Del Angel Hernandez, V., Doan, H.,  Dowson, G., Ghosh, S., Gil, V., Gugujonovic, K., Kamali, A. R., König, M., Leitner, W ., Luo, J., et.al.(2021). Emerging technologies: general discussion. Faraday Discussions, 230(0), 388-412. doi:10.1039/d1fd90048j.
  • Antico, E., Schlichter, P., Werle, C., Leitner, W. (2021) Reduction of Carboxylic Acids to Alcohols via Manganese(I) Catalyzed Hydrosilylation. JACS AU, 1(6), 742-749. doi:10.1021/jacsau.1c00140.
  • Bordet, A., El Sayed, S., Sanger, M., Boniface, K. J., Kalsi, D., Luska, K. L., Jessop, P.; Leitner,W. (2021). Selectivity control in hydrogenation through adaptive catalysis using ruthenium nanoparticles on a CO2-responsive support. Nature chemistry. doi:10.1038/s41557-021-00735-w.
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  • Püschel, S., Störtte, S., Topphoff, J., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2021). Green process design for reductive hydroformylation of renewable olefin cuts for drop-in diesel fuels. ChemSusChem, (14), 5226-5234 . doi:10.1002/cssc.202100929.
  • Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2021). Metal Nanoparticles Immobilized on Molecularly Modified Surfaces: Versatile Catalytic Systems for Controlled Hydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis. Accounts of Chemical Research, (xxx), xxx-xxx. doi:10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00013.
  • Kaithal, A., Hölscher, M., Leitner, W. (2021). Carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas) as a C1-building block for selective catalytic methylation Chemical Science. 12, 976-982 https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC05404F
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  • Holtz, A., Weidener, D., Leitner, W., Klose, H., Grande, P.M., Jupke, A. (2020). Process development for separation of lignin from OrganoCat lignocellulose fractionation using antisolvent precipitation Separation and Purification Technology 236, 116295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.116295
  • Kaithal, A., van Bonn, P., Hölscher, M., Leitner, W. (2020). Manganese(I)‐Catalyzed β‐Methylation of Alcohols using Methanol as C1 Source Angewandte Chemie International Edition 59(1), 215-220. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201909035
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  • Scott, M., Westhues, C.G., Kaiser, T., Baums, J.C., Jupke, A., Franciò, G., Leitner, W. (2019). Methylformate from CO2: an integrated process combining catalytic hydrogenation and reactive distillation Green Chemistry 21(23), 6307-6317. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9gc03006a
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  • Grande, P.M., Weidener, D., Dietrich, S., Dama, M., Bellof, M., Maas, R., Pauly, M., Leitner, W., Klose, H., Domínguez de María, P. (2019). OrganoCat Fractionation of Empty Fruit Bunches from Palm Trees into Lignin, Sugars, and Cellulose-Enriched Pulp ACS Omega 4(11), 14451-14457. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.9b01371
  • Rohner, S.S., Kinzel, N., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2019). Systematic ligand variation to modulate the electrochemical properties of iron and manganese complexes Dalton Transactions 48, 13205-13211. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9dt01343a
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  • Jens, C.M., Scott, M., Liebergesell, B., Westhaus, C.G., Schäfer, P., Franciò, G., Leonhard, K., Leitner, W., Bardow, A. (2019). Rh-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formic Acid in DMSO-based Reaction Media: Solved and Unsolved Challenges for Process Development Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis 361(2), 307-316. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.201801098
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  • Solmi, M.V., Schmitz, M., Leitner, W. (2019). CO2 as a Building Block for the Catalytic Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis: Horizons in Sustainable Industrial Chemistry and Catalysis 178, Chapter 6, 105-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64127-4.00006-9
  • Cantat, T., Leitner, W. (2019). Section 6: Homogeneous catalysis for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals Research needs: Towards sustainable production of fuels and chemicals, EnergyX Report 60-68. https://www.energy-x.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Energy_X_Research-needs-report.pdf
  • Erken, C., Kaithal, A., Sen, S., Weyhermüller, T., Hölscher, M., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2018). Manganese-catalyzed hydroboration of carbon dioxide and other challenging carbonyl groups Nature Communications 9, 4521. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06831-9
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  • Offner-Marko, L., Bordet, A., Moos, G., Tricard, S., Rengshausen, S., Chaudret, B., Luska, K.L., Leitner, W. (2018). Bimetallic Nanoparticles in Supported Ionic Liquid Phases as Multifunctional Catalysts for the Selective Hydrodeoxygenation of Aromatic Substrates Angewandte Chemie International Edition 57(39), 12721-12726. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201806638
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  • Leitner, W., Franciò, G., Scott, M., Westhues, C., Langanke, J., Lansing, M., Hussong, C., Erdkamp, E. (2018). Carbon2Polymer – Chemical Utilization of CO2 in the Production of Isocyanates Chemie Ingenieur Technik 90(10), 1504-1512. https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.201800040
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  • Pienkoß, F., Ochoa-Hernández, Theyssen, N., Leitner, W. (2018). Kaolin: A Natural Low-Cost Material as Catalyst for Isomerization of Glucose to Fructose ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 6(7), 8782-8789. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b01151
  • Weidener, D., Klose, H., Leitner, W., Schurr, U., Usadel, B., Domínguez de Maria, P., Grande, P.M. (2018). One-step lignocellulose fractionation using 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as biogenic and recyclable catalyst ChemSusChem 11(13), 2051-2056. https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201800653
  • Deutz, S., Bongartz, D., Heuser, B., Katelhon, A., Langenhorst, L. S., Omari, A., Walters, M., Diaeresis, S., Leitner, W., Mitsos, A., Pischinger, S., Bardow, A. (2018). Cleaner production of cleaner fuels: wind-to-wheel - environmental assessment of CO2-based oxymethylene ether as a drop-in fuel Energy Environmental Science 11, 331-343. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EE01657C
  • Artz, J., Müller, T.E., Thenert, K., Kleinekorte, J., Meys, R., Sternberg, A., Bardow, A., Leitner, W. (2018). Sustainable conversion of carbon dioxide: an integrated review of catalysis and life cycle assessment Chemical Reviews 118 (2), 434-504. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00435
  • Geier, D.I., Schmitz, P., Walkowiak, J., Leitner, W., Franciò, G. (2018). Continuous Flow Asymmetric Hydrogenation with Supported Ionic Liquid Phase Catalysts Using Modified CO2 as the Mobile Phase: from Model Substrate to an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient ACS Catalysis 8, 3297-3303. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.8b00216
  • Schmitz, M., Solmi, M.V., Leitner, W. (2018). Catalytic Processes Combining CO2 and Alkenes into Value-Added Chemicals: Synthesis of Cyclic Carbonates, Lactones, Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Aldehydes, Alcohols, and Amines Organometallics for Green Catalysis, Topics in Organometallic Chemistry 63, 17-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/3418_2018_24
Lehrstuhl 'Technische Chemie und Petrolchemie' - RWTH Aachen

Prof. Leitner ist seit 2002 Lehrstuhlinhaber und Professor für Technische Chemie und Petrolchemie an der RWTH Aachen.

Webseite: RWTH Aachen - Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie und Petrolchemie

Preise, Ehrungen & Auszeichnungen
  • 2020    Prix Binational Franco-Allemand “Georg Wittig-Victor Grignard” awarded by the Société Chimique de France
  • 2020    Top 3 of the European Innovator Award “Industry” together with Dr. Christoph Gürtler (Covestro AG)
  • 2020    Top 10 Winners of the Falling Walls Breakthroughs of the Year in Physical Sciences
  • 2019    Top 3 “Deutscher Zukunftspreis”, together with Dr. Christoph Gürtler and Dr. Berit Stange (Covestro AG)
  • 2014    European Sustainable Chemistry Award of the European Science Association of Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS), jointly with Prof. Jürgen Klankermayer (RWTH Aachen)
  • 2009    Wöhler Award of the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh)
  • 2008    CATSA Eminent Visitor Award of the South African Catalysis Society
  • 2001    Otto-Roelen-Medal of DECHEMA
  • 2000    2nd International Messer Innovation-Award
  • 1998    Bennigsen-Foerder-Preis of Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW)
  • 1998    Carl-Zerbe-Award of Deutsche Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Erdöl, Erdgas und Kohle (DMGK)
  • 1997    Gerhard-Hess-Award of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

Named Lectureships and Guest Professorships

  • 2019    International Organic Chemistry Forum Lectureship, Kyoto/Osaka, Japan
  • 2018    Casey Lecture of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
  • 2018    Evonik Lecture at the Biennial Meeting of the Chinese Chemical Society, Hangzhou, China
  • 2017    Rennes Green Chemistry Lectureship, Rennes, France
  • 2015    Nankai University Lectureship in Organic Chemistry, Nankai University, China
  • 2015    Molecular Science Forum Lecture of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chemical Society
  • 2013    Visiting Lecturer for Promotion of Chemistry, National Science Foundation Taiwan
  • 2005    Guest Professorship at the Universitè de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
  • 2003    Griess Lectureship of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Funktionen & Aufgaben

Journals

  • Since 2021 Advisory Editor of Angewandte Chemie (GDCh, Wiley-VCH)
  • 2018 - 2021 Member of the Kuratorium/Editorial Board of Angewandte Chemie (GDCh, Wiley-VCH)
  • Since 2005 Member of the International Advisory Board of “Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis” (Wiley)
  • 2004 - 2010 / 2010-2016 Scientific Editor / Chairman of the Editorial Board of “Green Chemistry” (Royal Society of Chemistry)

Conferences

  • 2022 Chairman of Gordon Research Conference on Green Chemistry, Castelldefels, Spain
  • 2019 Chairman of the 17th International Conference in Carbon Dioxide Utilization (ICCDU XVII), Aachen, Germany
  • 2019 Chairman of the 14th European Congress on Catalysis (EuropaCat), Aachen, Germany
  • Since 2018 Advisory Board of the International Symposium on Green Chemistry (ISGC), La Rochelle, France
  • Since 2016  Advisory Board of the International Symposium on Homogeneous Catalysis (ISHC)
  • 2012 Member of the Organizing Committee of the 15th International Congress on Catalysis (ICC), Munich, Germany
  • 2002 - 2016 Chairman of the Conference Series “Green Solvents”

 Coordinated Research Programs

  • Since 2019 Co-Speaker of the Cluster of Excellence “The Fuel Science Center” at RWTH Aachen University and MPI CEC
  • Since 2016 Chairman of the Coordination Group of the BMBF funded Kopernikus Project “P2X: Exploration, Validation, and Implementation of „Power-to-X“ Concepts”
  • 2014 - 2018 Co-Speaker of the Cluster of Excellence “Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass” at RWTH Aachen University
  • 2010 - 2014 Coordinator of the large-scale collaborative research project “SYNFLOW” within the 7th Framework Program of the EU
  • Since 2007 Scientific Director of CAT, the joint Catalytic Center of RWTH Aachen and Covestro
  • 2002 - 2006 Coordinator of the BMBF funded ConNeCat lighthouse project “Regulated Systems for Multiphase Catalysis”

Professional Activities and Societies

  • Since 2021 Advisory Editor of the journal “Angewandte Chemie”
  • Since 2020 Vice-Chairman of the Board of DECHEMA, the German Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
  • Since 2019 Review Panel of the Swiss National Competence Center (NCCR) in Catalysis
  • 2018 - 2021 Editorial Board (Kuratorium) of the journal “Angewandte Chemie”
  • 2018 - 2020 Advisory Board of the International Green Technology Association, Beijing, China
  • Since 2015 Scientific Council of the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, DGMK
  • 2014 - 2018 Scientific Advisory Board of the Renewable Energy Program of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT
  • Since 2013 External Advisory Board of the UK Catalysis Hub
  • Since 2013 Advisory Board of the Centre of Sustainable and Circular Technologies, Univ. of Bath, UK
  • 2011 - 2016 Board of DECHEMA
  • 2011 - 2014 Chairman of the German Catalysis Society GeCatS
  • Since 2011 Honorary Member of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia
  • Since 2010 Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)
  • Since 2009 Scientific Advisory Board of the Center for Sustainable and Circular Technologies at the University of Bath
  • 2009 - 2017 Strategy Council of RWTH Aachen University
  • 2006 - 2014 Board of the Section “Sustainable Chemistry” of the German Chemical Society (GDCh)
  • 2006 - 2008 Chairman of the Catalysis Section of DECHEMA
  • 2005 - 2011 Board of the Petrochemical Division of the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK)
  • Since 2005 Advisory Board of the journal “Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis”
  • 2004 - 2016 Scientific Editor/Chairman of the Editorial Board of the journal “Green Chemistry”
Abteilungsmitglieder

Sekretariat Prof. Leitner

Romina Schülke

Leitung Instrumentelle Analytik

Justus Werkmeister

Projektkoordination

Dr. Sarah Schulz
Dr. Shanika Yadav

Postdocs

Dr. Neha Antil
Dr. Wenting Fang
Dr. Peter Mc Neice
Dr. Bhaskar Paul
Jianing Yang

PhD Studierende

Sihana Ahmedi
Maurice Belleflamme
Himani Bisht
Zhuo Chen
Florian Dobreff
Manisha Durai
Furkan Düzenli
Anna Rebecca Emmerich
David Ezenarro
Jonas Groteguth
Frederike Sophie Heinen
Junhui Hu
Zeynep Kap Dinler
Vishrant Kumar
Nitu Kumari
Arjit Mahana
Natalia Mendoza Vallejo
Sebastian Obst
Edwin Onoh
Paul Resch
Angshuman Sarmah
Ilamparithy Selvakumar
Sebastian Stahl
Lisa Steinwachs
Hannah Stieber
Atharv Ravi Thakare
Brayan Steven Torres-Barón

Labor

Jana Brylak
Annika Gurowski
Jannis Hertel
Bastian Hesselmann
Carsten Hindemith
Petra Höfer
Alina Jakubowski
Julia Kondryn
Aaron Konrad Felix Kretschmer
Stefan Mersmann
Bernd Mienert
Phillip Reck
Mayte Alexandra Ristow
Tim Alexander Schubert
Marion Stapper
Henrik Walschus

Masterstudierende

Qiulan Lu

Data Steward

Forschungsprofil 'Molekulare Katalyse'

Vision and Mission

Research in the Department of Molecular Catalysis ranges from the design and preparation of catalytically active metal complexes and materials, over the optimization of existing and exploration of novel synthetic pathways, to the development of advanced reaction-engineering concepts. Rooted in the field of organometallic chemistry, we embrace the concept of Green Chemistry as guiding principle for our catalysis research. We view the increasing de-carbonization of the electricity sector as opportunity for the de-fossilization of the sectors mobility and chemistry.[i] Valorising carbon dioxide and biomass through catalytic reduction processes using either H2 or e-/H+ offers not only non-fossil entries into existing chemical value chains, but holds the exciting opportunity to strive for shorter synthetic pathways, more effective processes, and better products (Figure 1).2,3

In order to turn the challenges of the transition from fossil to renewable into strategic opportunities for innovation, we identified three main objectives for the research in our team (Figure 2).

Figure 1. Re-shaping the petrochemical “ChemisTree” through chemical energy conversion.
Figure 2. The research objectives of the Department of Molecular Catalysis
Figure 3. Integrated Fischer-Tropsch and hydroformylation process for the production of alcohol/alkane blends as low-emission / high efficiency fuels (HyFiT fuels).8,9

Objectives and Selected Recent Results

  • From Cracking to Building

Whereas the key entry point into the petrochemical value chain are processes designed to crack C-C and C-H bonds in long-chain energy rich molecules, synthetic pathways based on renewable energy and feedstocks build molecular complexity from C1 building blocks derived from CO2 and/or by re-organising functionalities in bio-based substrates. Recent examples include the synthesis of carboxylic acids by catalytic carbonylation of alcohols using CO2/H2 as CO source.4,5 The step-wise C1 elongation of alcohols via a repetitive dehydration-hydroformylation-reduction sequence was achieved through combination of molecular and reaction engineering competence.6 Fundamental aspects of catalyst activation and deactivation upon direct use of CO produced by low-temperature CO2 electrolysis in Pd-catalysed carbonylation reactions are part of the Kopernikus project “Power-to-ValueChemicals”.7

As long-term goal, an integrated pathway and product design process for individual chemical products and even multi-component mixtures as in fuels comes into reach. Based on fundamental studies from our team on integrating Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with hydroformylation,8 this was demonstrated for so-called “HyFiT fuels” by a highly interdisciplinary collaboration in the Fuel and Chemical Science Center (FSC2) comprising catalytic production, combustion science, and life cycle assessment (Figure 3).9 Olefins formed as primary products during chain growth over the heterogeneous Fischer-Tropsch catalysts are in situ converted to C1 elongated alcohols by a homogeneous catalyst in solution. Both coupled reactions require syngas in a CO/H2 ratio of 1:2 as feedstock. The concept is pursued further with international partners in the EU project “E-Tandem” in the team led by PD Dr. Andreas Vorholt.

Figure 4. Methanolation of olefins as designed by integrating Mn-catalysed dehydrogenation of methanol with Rh-catalysed hydroformylation.17
  • From Analytic to Predictive 

There is a rapidly growing mechanistic understanding of catalytic transformations aiming at the use of renewable building blocks from experiment and theory. Rooted in organometallic chemistry, we are aiming to translate such knowledge between different approaches in catalysis to develop improved catalytic systems for established reactions and ultimately arrive at rational design or even prediction of novel transformations. The previously introduced dissection10 of electrochemical CO2 reduction pathways either through formation of metal hydride complexes (ETH) or by direct electron transfer from metal to carbon (ETM) could be unravelled in detail for low-valent rhodium complexes.11 Ruthenium nanoparticles were deposited on molecularly modified supports comprising functionalities known to stabilize formic acid in solution phase catalysis, thus pushing the limits for heterogeneous catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation to formate in terms of activity12 and stability.13

The interconversion of C1 products along the various reduction levels between CO2 and CH4 is particularly relevant for chemical energy conversion.14 Manganese pincer complexes have proven particularly powerful in this context. We exploit systematically the diagonal relationship between Mn+ and Ru2+ in the periodic table, resulting in similarities for H-H bond activation coupled with a significantly more moderate CO binding affinity. Our recent studies show that Mn-MACHO type complexes exhibit not only substantial catalytic activity for the catalytic synthesis of MeOH from syngas,15 but also show high stability under continuous operation with turnover numbers limited solely by cannibalistic side reactions of the base co-catalyst rather than the organometallic active species.16 Notably, the understanding of the basic catalytic cycles has already led to the rational design of new synthetic pathways including the recently developed “methanolation” of olefins as low-temperature and low-pressure alternative to reductive hydroformylation (Figure 4).17

 

 

Figure 5. Translating the mechanistic knowledge from the reaction of CO2 with hydrogen to C-H bonds and Pd-catalysed carboxylation of non-activated aromatics.18

A long-term vision is to translate the analytical knowledge on molecular mechanisms into predictive approaches using computational chemistry for the identification of catalysts or lead structures for currently unknown reactions. To this end, we have devised a catalytic cycle for the carboxylation of C-H bonds with CO2 composed of elementary steps analogous to the well-established catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid (Figure 5). The computational screening focused on the turnover determining intermediates and transition states to minimize the energy span of the cycle for pre-selected structural motifs. In a proof-of-concept study, the collaboration of Dr. Markus Hölscher (RWTH Aachen University) and Dr. Gregor Kemper resulted in the first carboxylation of non-activated aromatic C-H bonds, and its synthetic potential could be demonstrated using organometallic Pd-catalysts.18

 

Figure 6. An example for multifunctional catalytic systems: RuxP100-x nanoparticles on molecularly modifies supports and application in selective hydrogenation of heteroarenes.21
  • From Optimized to Adaptive 

Individual processes of the petrochemical value chain are typically based on catalysts that have been optimized for a specific task very precisely to operate largely under static conditions that maximise the output of a single product. With the coupling to renewable and hence fluctuating energy sources and an increasing diversity and variation of feedstock qualities, catalytic systems that can be adjusted or even self-adjust to dynamic changes in real time may become attractive alternatives.19 This includes the possibility of flexible customized production of different products from a single starting material reacting for example on variations in energy availability or costs. 

Our approach in this area capitalizes on the organometallic approach to generate catalytic materials comprising defined metal nanoparticles on functional supports.20 Meanwhile, a large portfolio of mono- and bimetallic as well as metal-phosphide nanoparticles has been generated and integrated with molecularly modified oxidic and carbon-based supports to generate catalysts exhibiting challenging selectivities and allowing novel tandem reaction sequences. A most recent example is the controlled synthesis of ruthenium-phosphide RuxP100-x based catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of heteroarenes (Figure 6).21

Figure 7. Adaptive control over hydrogenation selectivity of ruthenium nanoparticles using CO2 as molecular trigger.23,24

While those systems are optimized for maximum performance in specific reaction types, adaptive systems are designed to be reversibly adjustable between different states of performance. The reversible formation of surface formate species over metal nanoparticles in the presence of H2 and CO2 provides a simple and versatile method to adaptively control selectivity in the hydrogenation of multifunctional substrates. Simple introducing CO2 in the H2 feed gas reversibly shuts down C=O22 or arene23 hydrogenation without significantly affecting the rate of hydrogenation of other functional groups (Figure 7). Experimental and computational mechanistic studies support selective blocking by surface formate species as the main contribution to the selectivity switch.24 Since the first demonstration of the concept using rather complex support materials, the catalysts have now been significantly simplified with the prospect to use even commercial catalysts in the future.

 

Figure 8. Low-temperature reverse water-gas-shift reaction enabled by magnetically induced catalysis.26

Magnetically induced catalysis has proven extremely powerful in the context of adaptive catalysis and is now developed strategically with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in the team lead by Dr. Alexis Bordet. The prospective of localised and highly dynamic heating of the catalyst material in cold reaction environments has been demonstrated for iron carbide nanoparticles as heating agents, where catalytic activity originates either intrinsically from ICNPs, from their decoration with active metals, or from their deposition on com­mercial metal catalyst, as summarized in a recent perspective article.25 Opening an additional dimension, it could be demonstrated that the technique allows to decouple the reaction equilibrium at the hot catalyst surface and the phase equilibrium in the cold environment to enable low-temperature reverse water-gas-shift reaction (Figure 8).26

 

A Team Effort

The three main research objectives are addressed in a matrix-type organisation in competence-oriented sub-groups led by senior scientists as further elaborated on their respective websites. The team Multiphase Catalysis is headed by Andreas J. Vorholt, and Multifunctional Catalytic Systems by Alexis Bordet. Since the appointment of Nicholas Kaeffer as CNRS junior professor in 2025, the sub-group on Organometallic CO2 Chemistry and Electrochemistry is led jointly by Gregor Kemper and Anne-Christine Kick. The team collaborates closely with Markus Hölscher at RWTH Aachen University in the area of Computational Chemistry. All PhD and postdoc projects are embedded in one of the groups ensuring close day-to-day supervision. The departmental Analytical Services led by Justus Werkmeister ensures cutting-edge infrastructure and high-level competences for offline analysis and online monitoring. The entire team meets once per week in the Department Seminar, and individual progress is discussed in regular meetings between the director, group leader and student or postdoc. The resulting natural synergies between the groups is reflected in numerous joint projects and publications within the team, the institute, and the entire MPI CEC scientific ecosystem. 

In addition to the documentation in scientific publications and conference contributions, the fundamental insights and methodological progress developed in the research efforts also form the basis of intellectual property secured in patent applications where appropriate. Complementing conventional ways of translation through industrial collaborations, they find increasingly interest by next-generation researchers as basis for start-up initiatives. The spin-off from the Kopernikus Project “Power-to-Polymers” works on CO2-based polymers for adhesive and lubricant applications, and has recently been able to produce a batch of their materials using “green” methanol from the Carbon2Chem project as starting material. The start-up team “C4Value” originating from the Multiphase Catalysis group develops a new catalyst platform for the production of butandiols and butadiene from biogenic ethanol.

In conclusion, the research in the Department of Molecular Catalysis is characterised by complementary individual competences, close collaboration, shared expertise, and sustained commitment from all contributors. Or in the words of Nelson Mandela: It always seems impossible – until its done.

[1]  Anastas, P. T., Leitner, W. (2025). Transform the World through Chemistry. Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English, 64 (33), e202512699. doi:10.1002/anie.202512699.

[2]  Leitner, W. (2024). Carbon dioxide and hydrogen as building blocks for a sustainable interface of energy and chemistry. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A - Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 382 (2282). doi:10.1098/rsta.2023.0266. 

[3]  Leclerc, H. O., Erythropel, H. C., Backhaus, A., Lee, D. S., Judd, D. R., Paulsen, M. M., Ishii, M., Long, A., Ratjen, L., Bertho, G. G., Deetman, C., Du, Y., Lane, M. K. M., Petrovic, P. V., Champlin, A. T., Bordet, A., Kaeffer, N., Kemper, G., Zimmerman, J. B., Leitner, W., Anastas, P. T. (2024). The CO2 Tree: The Potential for Carbon Dioxide Utilization Pathways. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13 (1), 5-29. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c07582.

[4]  Jurling-Will, P., Linnartz, N. J., Francio, G., Leitner, W. (2025). Catalytic Synthesis of Acetic Acid from Methanol Using Formic Acid as a Renewable CO Source. Energy & Fuels, 39 (47), 22645-22651. doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c04169.

[5]  Solmi, M. V., Vossen, J. T., Schmitz, M., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2024). Catalytic synthesis of carboxylic acids from oxygenated substrates using CO2 and H2 as C1 building blocks. Green Chemistry, 26 (12), 7302-7311. doi:10.1039/d4gc01732c.

[6]  Vossen, J. T., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Selective Construction of Linear Carbon Chains Using Synthesis Gas (CO/H2) for C1-Elongation via a Three-Step Reaction Cycle. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 13 (9), 3797-3805. doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c10677.

[7]  Wessel, N., Medhekar, R. S., Sonnenberg, M., Stieber, H., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2024). Catalyst in Sight: The Use of Benchtop NMR Spectrometers to Maintain the Activity of Pd-PPh3 Catalysts. ACS Catalysis, 14 (14), 10679-10688. doi:10.1021/acscatal.4c02606.

[8]  Jeske, K., Rösler, T., Belleflamme, M., Rodenas, T., Fischer, N., Claeys, M., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J., Prieto, G. (2022). Direct Conversion of Syngas to Higher Alcohols via Tandem Integration of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis and Reductive Hydroformylation. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, 61, e202201004. doi:10.1002/anie.202201004.

[9]  Voelker, S., Groll, N., Bachmann, M., Mueller, L., Neumann, M., Kossioris, T., Muthyala, P., Lehrheuer, B., Hofmeister, M., Vorholt, A., Schmitz, K., Pischinger, S., Leitner, W., Bardow, A. (2024). Towards carbon-neutral and clean propulsion in heavy-duty transportation with hydroformylated Fischer-Tropsch fuels. Nature Energy, 9 (10), 1220-1229. doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01581-z.

[10]  Kinzel, N. W., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2021). Transition Metal Complexes as Catalysts for the Electroconversion of CO2: An Organometallic Perspective. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, 60, 11268-11686. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202006988

[11]  Kick, A. C., Schatz, M., Kahl, C., Hölscher, M., Eichel, R. A., Granwehr, J., Kaeffer, N., Leitner, W. (2026). Mapping proton and carbon dioxide electrocatalytic reductions at a Rh complex by in situ spectroelectrochemical NMR. Chemical Science, Advanced Article. doi:10.1039/d5sc05744b.

[12]  Anandaraj, S. J. L., Kang, L., DeBeer, S., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2023). Catalytic Hydrogenation of CO2 to Formate Using Ruthenium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Supported Ionic Liquid Phases. Small, 19, 2206806, pp. 1-10. doi:10.1002/smll.202206806.

[13]  Antil, N. L., Anandaraj, S. J., Kang, L., Ghazi Zahedi, H., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2025). Ruthenium Nanoparticles on Water-Stable Supported Ionic Liquid Phases as Catalytic Systems for Aqueous Phase CO2 Hydrogenation. ACS Catalysis, 15 (17), 14601-14610. doi:10.1021/acscatal.5c03605.

[14]  Cramer, H. H., Das, S., Wodrich, M. D., Corminboeuf, C., Werlé, C., Leitner, W. (2023). Theory-guided development of homogeneous catalysts for the reduction of CO2 to formate, formaldehyde, and methanol derivatives. Chemical Science, 14 (11), 2799-2807. doi:10.1039/d2sc06793e.

[15]  Stahl, S., Wessel, N., Vorholt, A. J., Leitner, W. (2024). Liquid-phase hydrogenation of carbon monoxide to methanol using a recyclable manganese-based catalytic system. Green Chemistry, 26, 7799-7805. doi:10.1039/d4gc01050g.

[16] Stahl, S., Steinwachs, L., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2026). Continuously operated liquid-phase methanol synthesis uncovering the de-/activation pathways of a molecular manganese catalyst system. Green Chemistry, advance article. doi:10.1039/d5gc05072c.

[17] Stahl, S., Vossen, J. T., Popp, S., Leitner, W., Vorholt, A. J. (2025). Methanolation of Olefins: Low-Pressure Synthesis of Alcohols by the Formal Addition of Methanol to Olefins. Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English, 64 (7), e202418984. doi:10.1002/anie.202418984.

[18] Kemper, G., Hölscher, M., Leitner, W. (2023). Pd(II)-catalyzed carboxylation of aromatic C-H bonds with CO2. Science Advances,9 (5): eadf2966, pp. 1-10. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adf2966.

[19]  Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2023). Adaptive Catalytic Systems for Chemical Energy Conversion.Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, 62, e202301956. doi:10.1002/anie.202301956.

[20]  Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2021). Metal Nanoparticles Immobilized on Molecularly Modified Surfaces: Versatile Catalytic Systems for Controlled Hydrogenation and Hydrogenolysis. Accounts of Chemical Research, 54,2144-2157. doi:10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00013. 

[21]  Zahedi, H. G., Hertel, J, Paul, B., Kang, L., Johny, J., Wu, Y., Wiegand, T., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2026). Selective Hydrogenation of Heteroarenes Using Supported Ruthenium Phosphide Nanoparticle Catalysts. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 148 (1), 766–777. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c16144

[22]  Bordet, A., El Sayed, S., Sanger, M., Boniface, K. J., Kalsi, D., Luska, K. L., Jessop, P.; Leitner,W. (2021) Selectivity control in hydrogenation through adaptive catalysis using ruthenium nanoparticles on a CO2-responsive support. Nature Chemistry,13, 916-922.  doi:10.1038/s41557-021-00735-w. 

[23]  Zhang, Y., El Sayed, S., Kang, L., Sanger, M., Wiegand, T., Jessop, P. G., DeBeer, S., Bordet, A., Leitner, W. (2023). Adaptive Catalysts for the Selective Hydrogenation of Bicyclic Heteroaromatics using Ruthenium Nanoparticles on a CO2-Responsive Support. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English,,62, e202311427. doi:10.1002/anie.202311427.

[24]  Zhang, Y. Y., Levin, N., Kang, L. Q., Müller, F., Zobel, M., DeBeer, S., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2024). Design and Understanding of Adaptive Hydrogenation Catalysts Triggered by the H2/CO2-Formic Acid Equilibrium. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 146 (44), 30057-30067. doi:10.1021/jacs.4c06765.

[25]  Bordet, A., Leitner, W., Chaudret, B. (2025). Magnetically Induced Catalysis: Definition, Advances, and Potential. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, 64 (24), e202424151 doi:10.1002/anie.202424151.

[26] Hu, J., Lacroix, L. M., Johny, J., Ghosh, S. Wolf, E. H., Ji, J. Lin, S.-H., Durai, M. Schöne, A. B., Hetaba, W. Ruland, H., Leitner, W., Bordet, A. (2026). Low-Temperature Reverse Water–Gas Shift Enabled by Magnetically Induced Catalysis. Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English, advance article, e23576. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202523576