Profile Area
Profile Area

Catalysis

Catalysis is a key enabling technology for developing pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and smart materials. As part of the University of Münster´s commitment to sustainability, strategic appointments across several faculties have consolidated Münster´s position as a leading centre for catalysis in Europe. Key research hubs include the Organic Chemistry Institute, Institute for Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Department of Physics, and centres including the Center for Soft Nanoscience (SoN), the Center for Nanotechnology (CeNTech), Münster Electrochemical Energy Technology (MEET) and the Center for Multiscale Theory and Computation (CMTC).

Catalysis in Münster thrives on a multilateral approach, ensuring that the latest innovations can be effectively translated to meet societal challenges. Single Atom Catalysis (Glorius, Mönig, Zeier) leverages state-of-the-art interfaculty facilities to design atomically precise materials for high efficiency and selectivity. Small Molecule Catalysis (Gilmour, Glorius, García-Mancheño, Næsborg, Studer, Strassert) positions Münster at the frontier of Organo- and Photo-catalysis, whilst Bio-catalysis (Gatsogiannis, Hippler, Jose, Kümmel, Mootz, Schmid) is a key driver of sustainability and a circular economy. Theoretical and quantum chemistry (Doltsinis, Heuer, Koch, Neugebauer) provides critical mechanistic insights and predicts improved catalyst structures.

Münster’s excellence in catalysis is manifest in a range of initiatives: CRC 858, CRC 1459, IRTG 2027, IRTG 2678, and SPP 2363, funded by the DFG. Individual success is reflected in an array of prestigious EU awards, including ERC Starter (Braunschweig, Gilmour, Glorius, Huertas), Consolidator (García-Mancheño, Gilmour, Zeier), Advanced (Erker, Glorius, Studer) and Proof of Concept (Gilmour) grants. The highly international ecosystem in Münster has led to the establishment of regular exchange programmes with universities in North America, Europe and Asia. Partnerships with institutions like Northwestern (USA), St Andrews (UK), and Nagoya (Japan) foster global collaboration, including a joint doctoral exchange programme (IRTG 2678).