Meet the first Q1 2016 Lectureship Winner from SPbU

The award was presented to Valentin Ananikov, Head of the SPbU’s Cluster Catalysis Laboratory,   correspondence-member of the RAS, for opening the dynamic nature of catalysts in organic synthesis reactions (in chemistry, it is called a “cocktail” of catalysts). The Russian scientists and his colleagues have managed to record the transformation process of catalysts during a chemical reaction in a retort. “We have proved that a catalyst is transformed from molecules to clusters, and further into nanoparticles. Besides, the same reaction triggers a reverse process: a transformation from nanoparticles to molecules through clusters. When the chemical reaction is on, in the retort there is a “cocktail” of catalytically active centres”, — said Prof Ananikov.

Today, catalysis is the key to many industrial processes. Catalysis by metal complexes, for example, is used in recycling carbon dioxide, natural raw materials and in bulk synthesis. Catalysis by nanoparticles is used in thin organic synthesis, developing pharmaceutical substances and drugs. The breakthrough achieved by the Russian scientist is the key to understanding catalysis, regeneration and recycling costly catalysts, a challenge that the world’s leading research institutions have been and still are trying to respond.

With the award, Valentin Ananikov said that he had been striving to achieve this breakthrough as yet. “The first years did not bring the desirable results and the phenomena we witnessed were not possible to interpret.  The advent of highly precise equipment, however, enabled us to understand the nature of catalytic reaction and record a so-called “cocktail” of catalytic particles. All these encourage us to discover new chemical processes on nanoscale on a regular basis. These achievements were not possible without new equipment, including that in the SPbU’s Research Park, which is so far the leading complex of resource centres for physical and chemical research in Russia”, — said Prof Ananikov.

Also, he said that he is planning to expand the scope of his research on catalytic reactions, which have proved to be notably promising for practical application. “We are on the threshold of dazzling breakthroughs to solve the mysteries of modern science. In our laboratory at SPbU, we are open to up-and-coming researchers, who are strongly determined to delve deeper into the matter!”, — said Valentin Ananikov.

Background Info: Established in 2013 under the SPbU mega-grant for research “Catalysis by metal clusters: Synthesis of biologically active molecules and pharmaceutical blocks with atomic-scale precision”, SPbU’ Cluster Catalysis Laboratory focuses on synthesis of biologically active molecules and pharmaceutical blocks with atomic-scale precision. Catalysis enables to “collect” fragments of molecules into complex structures to produce substances with predetermined properties. Fundamental research at the Laboratory aims to discover new efficient and highly precise methods to chemically arrange fragments into molecules.

Valentin Ananikov, Head of the Laboratory, is a renowned Russian scientist awarded a number of prestigious prizes of recognition given in honour of an achievement, among them are the Yu. Libikh Award for Outstanding Achievements in Organic Chemistry, the A.A. Balandin Award for Outstanding Achievements in Catalysis, and the State Prize of the Russian Federation for Young Scientists for Outstanding Achievements in Science and Engineering to name but a few.