NATO Advanced Study Institute on
"Green Metathesis Chemistry: Great Challenges in Synthesis,
Catalysis and Nanotechnology"
21 July - 2 August 2008, Bucharest, Romania
Under the Auspices of the Romanian Academy and the Polytechnic University of Bucharest
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A NATO Advanced Study Institute (NATO ASI) is a high-level scientific activity organized in the framework of the NATO Science Programme (Cooperative Science & Technology Sub-Programme), which aims to create links between scientists from NATO and Partner countries and to help stabilize and sustain scientific communities in the Partner countries. NATO ASIs are sponsored by NATO and have the specific role of contributing to the training and the motivation of young scientists in Partner countries, and Mediterranean Dialogue countries. For the last two decades the NATO ASI metathesis meetings have been acting as promoters of excellence in research and valorization of this scientific area. Five such meetings organized so far have known tremendous success: "Olefin Metathesis and Metathesis Polymerization Catalysts", 1989, Akcay, Turkey; "Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Alkyne Polymerization", 1995, Akcay, Turkey; "Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Related Chemistry: State of the Art and Visions for the New Century", 2000, Polanica-Zdruj, Poland; "Novel Metathesis Chemistry: Well-Defined Initiator Systems for Specialty Chemical Synthesis, Tailored Polymers and Advanced Material Applications", 2002, Antalya, Turkey, "New Frontiers in Metathesis Chemistry: From Nanostructure Design to Sustainable Technologies for Synthesis of Advanced Materials", 2006, Antalya, Turkey. By gathering for a fortnight a selected audience of top international experts and of eager, young scientists/students, these NATO ASI meetings have provided a genial environment for direct contacts and exchange of ideas initiating new scientific collaborations between groups from different countries. In this context a new NATO ASI meeting entitled "Green Metathesis Chemistry: Great Challenges in Synthesis, Catalysis and Nanotechnology", following that from 2006 and focusing on utmost new progress in green metathesis chemistry, is a crucial event for rapid developments and emerging applications of metathesis processes.
Prof. Didier Astruc |
University of Bordeaux, France |
| Prof. Valerian Dragutan Prof. Eugene Sh. Finkelshtein Prof. Albert Demonceau Prof. Lionel Delaude Prof. Ileana Dragutan Prof. Horia Iovu Prof. Kenneth B. Wagener |
Romanian Academy, Romania (co-director) Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia (co-director) University of Liege, Belgium University of Liege, Belgium Romanian Academy, Romania Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Romania University of Florida, USA |
15 March 2008 |
Application submission |
The goal of this NATO ASI is to disseminate among a selected audience of distinguished scientists and young researchers utmost recent advancements and perspectives in green metathesis chemistry. The first objective concerns the application of the new generations of highly efficient, homogeneous and immobilized transition metal metathesis catalysts in selective organic synthesis to transform mainly functionalized alkenes and alkynes into advanced materials with improved performance parameters through less costly, environmentally friendly and waste-free manufacturing processes. Focus will be primarily on the novel, robust, tolerant of functionalities and/or enantioselective well-defined Mo and Ru initiators having versatile practical applications, as compared with other existing catalysis systems. Another important objective of the meeting is the development of superior synthetic methods - one of the most urgent tasks for the today chemical science. The diversified programme of lectures including discussions on the hot topics of green metathesis chemistry will promote further discovery of sustainable technologies for production of smart materials useful for the well-being and security of our society.
The scientific programme will cover the following main topics of keen interest for academic and industrial metathesis community: a) Catalyst design and process developments in the frame of green metathesis chemistry; b) Nanostructures, architecturally complex assemblies and fine chemical synthesis; c) Synthesis of bioactive molecules and natural compounds; d) Chirality and enantioselective synthesis; e) Tailored polymers and new technologies for advanced smart materials. These topics will provide solutions to acute problems such as: environmental and security aspects; necessity for new highly active, selective and recyclable catalytic systems for economically advantageous and user friendly processes of green metathesis chemistry; ionic liquids and green solvents for metathesis processes; creation of new, sustainable technologies for production of fine chemicals and intelligent materials.
It is important to outline that the format of NATO ASIs is that of a summer school. Invited lecturers will present their topics of expertise in a series of short courses. In addition, shorter contributed lectures will be selected from among the other participants. Other students will have the opportunity to present their research in poster format. The poster session will be organized to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information between experienced scientists, young scientists and students. Oral presentations will be also possible for selected posters. Note that this NATO ASI format is somewhat different from a typical scientific conference in which the latest and possibly controversial scientific results are presented. The schedule of the scientific programme will be available on this ASI website in due time.
Scientific Background
During the last few years olefin metathesis imposed itself as one of the most powerful synthetic strategies for production of fine chemicals, drugs and bioactive compounds. Architecturally complex assemblies and tailored functionalized polymers obtained through metathesis, unimaginable just several years before, aim at specific utilization as sensors, semiconductors and microelectronic devices, thereby contributing in solving stringent security problems. Metathesis-driven reactions have diversified beyond the 20-th century frontiers resulting in sustainable technologies and opening new research & development areas with real perspectives for industrial scale applications that range from production of nanostructured and composite materials to manufacture of new pharmaceuticals. Due to its versatility and practical utility that respond to issues important for the contemporary society, green metathesis chemistry is a needed process in science and technology.
The new directions of this new field of research are: a) Eco-friendly protocols for green metathesis catalysts that meet requirements for a sustainable economic growth; b) Supported catalysts and novel techniques for their immobilization; c) Extremely new concepts of applying the recognized advantages of catalysis in ionic liquids or other green solvents, under mild conditions, through creation of highly recyclable and efficient imidazolium-tagged catalysts; d) Recent work on cross-metathesis, enyne and ring-closing metathesis as key reaction steps in organic synthesis yielding pharmaceuticals and natural products (sugars, alkaloids, nucleosides, amino acids) in the presence of Ru-catalysts, tolerant of functionalities; e) Unveiling of chiral catalysts enabling metathesis-based enantioselective pathways that shorten the precision synthesis of complicated chemical structures.
Research in this field has lately seen a real boom reflected in the 2005 Nobel prize awarded to the metathesis scientists Chauvin, Grubbs and Schrock (http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2005/) and in very numerous published papers and books (e.g. “Handbook of Metathesis”, R.H. Grubbs, Ed., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2003; ”Ruthenium Catalysts and Fine Chemistry”, P.H. Dixneuf and Ch. Bruneau, Eds., Springer, Berlin, 2004; Metathesis Chemistry: From Nanostructure Design to Synthesis of Advanced Materials”, Y. Imamoglu and V. Dragutan, Eds., Springer, Berlin, 2007) and also in international scientific meetings debating both state-of-the-art and future perspectives (The International Symposium on Metathesis Chemistry alone was organized four times during the last seven years: ISOM 14, 2001, MIT, Cambridge, USA; ISOM 15, 2003, Kyoto, Japan; ISOM 16, 2005, Poznan, Poland, ISOM 17, 2007, Pasadena, USA).
Participants at the meeting are kindly invited to send one-page abstract of their contribution to one of the NATO ASI co-directors. The submission of abstracts will be possible only via e-mail in “doc” or “rtf” formats, as attached files. The abstracts will be reproduced from the Authors’ original. The deadline for abstract submission is 15 April 2008. Abstracts of all contributions accepted by the Organizing Committee will be included in the book of abstracts, available at the Conference site.
Oral Presentations
Authors should indicate the presentation preference of their lecture, communication and poster on the registration and on the abstract submission forms. The number of oral presentations will be limited and the Organizing Committee reserves the right to decide on the form of presentation according to the scientific programme. Each speaker will be given a limited time for presentation, including discussion. As the scientific programme will be conducted on a very tight time schedule, speakers are kindly asked to strictly adhere to the time allotted. Facilities will be available for presentation using overhead transparences and/or slides.
Poster Presentations
Posters will be on display throughout the whole meeting sessions. Oral poster presentation will be organized in a special session. The maximum space available for each poster will be 100 (width) x 200 (height) cm. Material for mounting posters will be supplied at the meeting site.
Location of the NATO ASI meeting is Bucharest. Bucharest is the capital city and industrial and commercial centre of Romania. It is located in the southeast of the country, at 44o25'N, 26o06'E, and lies on the banks of the Dambovita River. Its existence first being referred in 1459, Bucharest has gone through a variety of changes, becoming the state capital of Romania in 1862 and steadily consolidating its position as the centre of the Romanian mass media, culture and arts. Its eclectic architecture is a mix of historical, interbellum, Communist-era and modern. In the period between the two World Wars, the city's elegant architecture and the sophistication of its elite earned Bucharest the nickname of the "Paris of the East" or "Little Paris". |
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Although many buildings and districts in the historic centre were damaged or destroyed by war, earthquakes, etc. many survived. In recent years, the city has been experiencing an economic and cultural boom.
According to January 2006 official estimates, Bucharest has a population of 1,930,390. The urban area extends beyond the limits of Bucharest and has a population of 2.1 million people. Adding the satellite towns around the urban area, the metropolitan area of Bucharest has a population of 2.6 million people. Bucharest is the 6th largest city in the European Union by population within city limits.
Economically, the city is the most prosperous in Romania and is one of the main industrial centres and transportation hubs of Eastern Europe. As the most developed city in Romania, Bucharest also has a broad range of educational facilities.
After the year 2000, due to the advent of Romania's economic boom, the city has modernised and is currently undergoing a period of urban renewal. Various residential and commercial developments are underway, particularly in the northern districts, while Bucharest's historic centre is currently undergoing significant restoration.
Besides Cismigiu Gardens, Bucharest contains several other large parks and gardens, including Herastrau Park and the Botanical Garden. Herastrau is a large public park located in the north of the city, and the site of the Village Museum, while the Bucharest's botanical garden is the largest in Romania and contains over 10,000 species of plants, many of them exotic; it was once a pleasure park for the royal family.
The town has a number of landmark buildings and monuments. Perhaps the most prominent of these is the Palace of the Parliament, built in the 1980s during the reign of Communist era, the largest building in Europe and the second-largest in the world; the Palace houses the Romanian Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and Senate), as well as the National Museum of Contemporary Art. It is also often used as a convention centre.
Another well-known landmark of the city of Bucharest is The Triumph Arch, built in 1935 and modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.The Romanian Athaeneum building is considered to be a symbol of Romanian culture and since 2007 is on the list of the Label of European Heritage sights.
Other cultural venues include the National Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History "Grigore Antipa", Museum of the Romanian Peasant, National History Museum, and the Military Museum. The National Museum of Art of Romania is perhaps the best-known of Bucharest museums. It is located in the former royal palace and features extensive collections of medieval and modern Romanian art, including works by renowned sculptor Constantin Brancusi, as well as a prominent international collection assembled by the former Romanian royal family.
Despite the extensive classical art galleries and museums in the city, there is also a contemporary arts scene that has become increasingly prominent in recent times. The National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC), situated in a wing of the Palace of the Parliament, was opened in 2004 and contains a widespread collection of Romanian and international contemporary art, in a number of expressive forms. The MNAC also manages the Kalinderu MediaLab, which caters specifically to multimedia and experimental art. There is also a range of smaller, private art galleries throughout the city centre.
Conference Venue and Accommodation
Conference venue: Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Department of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Conference Hall B250. Registration and Accommodation: Polytechnic University Campus, Complex Regie, Spl. Independentei 290, Building P19. Single and double rooms will be reserved for participants. Access from Otopeni International Airport to the Polytechnic University Campus, Complex Regie, Building P19: take Express Bus 783 (daily, 6:00-22:00. Bus Stop downstairs from Exit of Arrivals), get off at Square "21 Dec 1989" (in proximity of University of Bucharest; first stop after Romana Square), walk 2 min to Bus 601 (in front of the University) and take Bus 601 in the direction Complex Regie and get off at the stop "Complex Regie". The yellow 5-storied building P19 is in front of you at 1-2 min walk. The preregistered participants will be assisted at the Reception to get the assigned accommodation. During July - August the weather in Bucharest is fine, with temperatures around 30-35oC. An informal opening reception is intended to be organized in the first day of the meeting. In the free time, the participants and accompanying persons can benefit of sightseeing tours in Bucharest and in any nearby tourist sites: Snagov, Ploiesti and Targoviste. Special events can be organized at the meeting venue as well.
Please click here to open the photos taken during the meeting.
Bucharest can be easily reached by air, bus and car. By plane we advise participants to use regular flights Transportation from and to the Henri Coanda International Airport can be done by regular bus. Train and bus services from other major cities are available. Car access is also easy through main national highways.
Participants are advised to check their own travel insurance. The organizers cannot accept any responsibility for accidents, sickness, theft and property damage, nor for delays and any modification in the traveling programme due to unforeseeable circumstances.
Letters of Invitation
All participants requiring letters of invitation should inform the organizers as soon as possible. It should be noted that these invitations will be issued solely for the purpose of assisting the active or non-elligible participants to obtain funding for their participation at the NATO ASI meeting or for Visa applications. Such invitation letters are not a commitment on the part of organizers to provide any financial support.
Visas
Participants are advised to check with their local travel agencies whether they need a Visa for traveling to Romania. In that case, they should apply to the nearest Romanian Embassy or Consulate well in advance of the planned date of travel.
Registration of all pre-registered participants at the NATO ASI will be on the first day of the meeting, 21 July 2008, between 9.00-12.30 and 16-18.30. There is no registration and lodging fee for accepted residents from NATO, Partner, and Mediterranean-Dialogue countries. Partial reimbursement of travel costs will be foreseen for selected residents of (especially) NATO Partner and Mediterranean-Dialogue countries. For other types of residents, there will be a registration and lodging fee that can not be covered from the NATO funding, estimated at 1350 EU, depending on the level of accommodation requested. Selection of participants will be made by eligibility and qualification criteria (See Eligibility and Application procedure). We strongly encourage participants to pursue other means of support.
1. Potential Participants are asked to submit a one-page abstract using the following template for Word users: ASI2008.doc
Please do not modify the characteristics of these template (fonts, margins, spacing etc.).
If you decide to ask for funds, please be aware that these are limited, and that NATO requires a certain percentage of attendees be from partner countries who typically have extreme limitations on their funding. If you are from a NATO member country, support is rather limited. NATO also requires that supported travel be by the cheapest means possible and we will need copies of receipts. In addition, the ASI is limited to 80 participants and we expect many more applicants.
2. Please email (i) the abstract , (ii) a CV (no more than five pages) and (iii) list of relevant publications in “.doc” or “.rtf” formats as attached files to the NATO ASI co-directors:
Prof. Valerian Dragutan: vdragutan@yahoo.com
Prof. Eugene Finkelshtein: fin@ips.ac.ru
For more information please contact: info@nato-asi.tk
Deadline for applications: 15 March 2008
Potential candidates from the following countries are eligible as participants:
NATO countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, UK, USA.
Partner countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav, Republic of Macedonia (Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name), Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Mediterranean Dialogue countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia.
The lectures of the meeting, some talks as well as selected posters will be published as a book by Springer in the NATO Science Series. For the preparation of the manuscripts see “Guide for Authors” on the Springer website. The high level publication of their proceedings in NATO ASI Science Series guarantees further dissemination of results among researchers active in metathesis. The deadline for online submission of accepted papers in “.doc” or “.rtf” formats and on CDs to one of NATO ASI co-directors, is 31 July 2008.
We acknowledge the generous support of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division, Collaborative Programmes Section and other organizations which are kindly offering their financial support.
Updated August 25, 2008, by Matei Dragutan