Shannon Stahl

Shannon Stahl is a Professor of Chemistry and Steenbock Professor of Chemical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he leads the Stahl Group. His research is centered on catalysis, with broad impacts on organometallic, organic, and inorganic chemistry, particularly in aerobic oxidation and solar energy conversion.

Education:

• B.S. 1992, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Ph.D. 1997, California Institute of Technology
• NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1997–1999)

Research Interests:

Stahl's work spans the development of synthetic methods and mechanistic studies in catalysis. Key areas include:

• Aerobic Oxidation Catalysis: Focus on organometallic oxidase reactions using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant for alcohol oxidation, C–H functionalization, and oxidative carbonylation.
• Solar Energy Conversion: Participation in the NSF Center for Chemical Innovation (CCI Solar), investigating water oxidation catalysts for solar fuel production.
• Electrosynthesis and Green Chemistry: Development of electrochemical methods for sustainable chemical transformations, including lignin valorization and polymer upcycling.

Publications and Impact:

Stahl has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles from 2013 to 2025, with recent work focusing on C–H activation, cross-electrophile coupling, lignin depolymerization, and scalable electrosynthesis. His research integrates mechanistic insights with practical applications in pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and sustainable materials.

Collaborations and Teams:

He is a key investigator in the CCI Solar team, collaborating on solar water-splitting systems. His lab, the Stahl Group, engages in interdisciplinary projects spanning synthetic chemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science.