Regular biography
Peter T. Wolczanski is the George W. and Grace L. Todd Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Cornell University. His research focuses on the synthesis, electronic properties, and structures of organometallic and inorganic complexes, particularly in the areas of small and large molecule activation and catalysis. His work explores the reactivity of transition metals, including the development of strong-field ligand frameworks and the investigation of novel ligands such as the 1,3-di-2-pyridyl-2-azaallyl ligand, known as 'smif.' His research also includes studies on Ti clusters for dihydrogen generation from water and the application of bulky ligands in nitrogenase-related chemistry. Prof. Wolczanski's group employs advanced analytical methods such as NMR, IR, EPR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, along with molecular orbital and DFT calculations.
Scholar-generated biography
Peter T Wolczanski is a Professor of Chemistry at Cornell University, specializing in inorganic and organometallic chemistry with a focus on electronic structure. His research explores the activation of hydrocarbons, such as methane and benzene, through transient metal complexes, including zirconium, tantalum, and titanium. He investigates mechanisms of carbon monoxide reduction, cleavage, and hydrogenation using silox and tritox ligands. His work also includes photoelectrochemical processes, such as water splitting via titanium dioxide and platinized semiconducting oxides. These studies combine experimental and theoretical approaches to understand reactivity and selectivity in organometallic systems.