Paul Chirik

Paul Chirik is the Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Chemistry at Princeton University, leading research in catalysis and sustainable chemistry. He is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry and collaborates with institutions like the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment. His work focuses on developing catalysts using Earth-abundant metals (e.g., iron, cobalt) to replace precious metals in industrial processes, emphasizing sustainability.

Chirik earned his B.S. from Virginia Tech (1995) and Ph.D. from Caltech (2000). He held academic roles at Cornell University before joining Princeton in 2011. He is Editor-in-Chief of Organometallics and has received numerous awards, including the Gabor Somorjai Award (2021) and Linus Pauling Medal (2020).

His research spans two major areas: catalysis with Earth-abundant transition metals (e.g., C-H activation, borylation) and N₂ functionalization (alternative ammonia synthesis). Collaborations with industry partners address applications in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and sustainable materials.

Chirik’s lab employs multidisciplinary approaches, combining organic/inorganic chemistry with spectroscopy and theoretical methods. Recent work includes recyclable polymers from cyclobutane units and photocatalytic ammonia synthesis. His team comprises postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates, emphasizing mentorship and collaborative innovation.