Memorial Issue Dedicated to Prof. István T. Horváth: Molecular Engineering in Homogeneous Catalysis

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Catalysts is dedicated to Prof. István T. Horváth (1953–2022), a distinguished chemist, who lamentably passed away on the zenith of his career. Thus, the community of chemists in the entire globe, especially in the field of homogeneous catalysis, mourns his sudden death and will miss his charisma. Currently, Prof. Horváth is best known as a pioneer in green chemistry and for the discovery of fluorous (two-phase) catalytic systems. However, above all, he always advocated for the understanding of the actual reaction mechanism and for the identification of the key intermediates using in situ spectroscopy. Regarding the latter, his capabilities were boosted with the development of high-pressure IR and NMR, in which he actively collaborated, after he joined the Exxon Laboratories in 1987. By following the reactions under the necessary conditions, many of which were previously way out of the reach of in situ spectroscopy, he contributed to the molecular level understanding of many mechanisms. The latter, together with the observed atom economy, represent the most important aspects of molecular engineering. Naturally, improvements in efficiencies of the processes and in the properties of the products are essential, not only in green chemistry, but also for the profitability in industry. Thus, for a remembrance of his heritage, we are calling for contributions where the above-described aspects are utilized in any area of homogeneous catalysis.

As well as being a restless organizer of international conferences, István T. Horváth was also literally world-famous, as he worked and established himself for more than a decade in each of the three major continents. A relatively recent, yet cloudless, biography is available from one of his best friend, Prof. John Gladysz at  https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b03138 and in the Editorial.

Dr. Imre Tóth
Guest Editor

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