The Hanover Collaboration

I’m not sure if any of you heard the news today, but here in building 18 today the mood is very festive. The day is especially exciting for the grad students in my group (although not nearly as much as it is for those in Shrock’s) because one of the other winners, Robert Grubbs of the other institute of technology, is our academic grandfather! Yes, academic grandfather is an actual term; I didn’t invent it just to make my self feel special.

The chemistry these guys worked on is metathesis which utilizes transition metal catalysts to form/break double bonds. I used the technique recently to make a polymer, and its ease of use and effectiveness left me weak in the knees. If all chemistry were that good we would be building nano-flying cars instead of sticks, balls, and the occasional lever or wheel.

Congratulations, gentlemen!

p.s. There’s a Dartmouth Connection here as well. Prof. Grubbs of Dartmouth is the new Nobeloriate’s son!