Hans-Ulrich Blaser

Dr. Hans-Ulrich Blaser is the recipient of the 2009 Paul Rylander Award. Dr Blaser is currently Chief Technology Officer at Solvias AG, having spent 25+ years at Solvias and predecessor organizations (Novartis, Ciba-Geigy). His main scientific contributions are in the development of chemoselective and stereoselective hydrogenation reactions, both heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions. He is the co-author of more than 175 research papers in the field of catalysis, as well as numerous review articles and book chapters. Two examples of his accomplishments are: the Blaser variant of the Heck reaction using aryl chlorides instead of aryl bromides, and the technical realization of a catalyst for the enantioselective synthesis of (S)-metolachlor, in which his team achieved a catalytic hydrogenation process with and unprecedented 2 million turnovers. As a scientist and manager, Dr. Blaser has consistently been a leader in bridging academia and industry.

Stephen Schmidt

Dr. Stephen R. Schmidt is the 2010 Raney Award winner. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Benedictine University in 1978 and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Iowa State University in 1985. In 1987 he joined the research staff at Grace-Davison where remains to this day. Steve was very recently promoted to Research Fellow, the highest technical level within W.R. Grace.

In his 22 years at Grace Steve has made significant contributions to the Raney catalyst technology. The most far-reaching of which was the development of the platinum group metal promoted Raney nickel catalysts, materials which showed improved activity and stability in the hydrogenation of functional groups such as the triple bond and the aromatic nitro group. The importance of this work is not only the presence of the Pt or Pd in the nickel catalyst but also the detailed development of the catalyst for each specific purpose.

Matthias Beller

Professor Matthias Beller is the 2010 Recipient of the Paul Rylander Award. Prof. Beller is currently the Director of the Leibniz-Institute of Catalysis. Prof. Beller has published nearly 400 original publications and is co-author on more than 80 patent applications. Over the last twenty years he has devoted his efforts to the development of catalytic methods for the functionalization of aryl halogenides, enantioselective oxidation reactions, metal catalyzed telomerization, hydroformylation, amination and carbonylation. He has been especially successful in his research on palladium catalyzed cross coupling reactions. His work has opened the way to new concepts in construction of complex molecules. He has received many awards including the Leibniz Prize, the most important scientific award in Germany.

Robert Augustine

Professor Emeritus Robert Augustine of Seton Hall University and Director of the Center for Applied Catalysis is the recipient of the 2010 Malz Award for exceptional service to the Organic Reactions Catalysis Society. He has been associated with the ORCS from its first meeting in 1966 and during the first thirty years he was actively involved in the organization and governance of the society. Bob Augustine was also a member of the group which was responsible for the formation of ORCS and was active in developing the Constitution and By-Laws of the Society. He has been a member of the Executive Committee from 1975 through 1996 in various capacities, including Chair of the 1986 conference. Beyond formal involvement in the Society, Bob has also offered enthusiastic support and advice to numerous ORCS Chairs.