Team “Iron, upgraded!” at the 124th Bunsentagung in Leipzig

The 124th Bunsentagung took place in Leipzig from March 17 to 19 under the motto “Physical Chemistry of Climate and Atmosphere”. The event was opened by the renowned meteorologist Karsten Haustein, who presented an in-depth analysis of the challenges posed by man-made climate change. In particular, he shed light on the achievability of the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, which aim to limit global warming to well below 2 °C, preferably 1.5 °C, compared to pre-industrial levels.

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) invited a large number of top-class speakers from the fields of chemistry, meteorology, geosciences as well as sustainability and basic research into spectroscopic methods and catalytic processes.

The CRC 1487 “Iron, upgraded!” was also represented by a small team and presented current research results in the field of spectroscopy and quantum chemical modeling for the detailed analysis of iron in different phases and oxidation states.

Sun Myung Kim (C08, Prof. Hofmann, TUDa) presented a modern method for rapid high-pressure reduction of iron crystals during the poster session. Justin Krampe (B04, Prof. Krewald, TUDa) gave a talk on his new approach to decoupling magnetic interaction pathways in oxygen-bridged iron complexes. Prof. Dr. Christian Hess (A02, TUDa) presented in his lecture the spectroscopic methods for the analysis of the selective oxidation of propane to propylene, which are being developed in his working group and allow a direct comparison of iron catalysts developed by the SFB with commercially available products.

The conference offered numerous opportunities for professional exchange with people from the fields of physical chemistry, catalysis and theory from Europe and beyond. The interdisciplinary nature of the conference made it possible to gain new perspectives on the role of iron in chemical and physical processes and to further develop innovative research approaches in the future.

Report: Justin Krampe