معرفی
Vlad Iluc is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, where he has been a faculty member since 2011. He currently serves as the Director of Graduate Admissions and leads an active research group focused on organometallic synthesis and catalysis. His work bridges inorganic and organic chemistry with applications in energy and sustainable chemical processes.
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Chicago (2009)
- M.S. in Chemistry, University of Chicago (2003)
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania (2000)
Dr. Iluc's research centers on the activation and functionalization of inert bonds, particularly C–H bonds, using novel transition metal complexes. His group designs carbenoid systems that leverage metal-ligand cooperation and latent reactivity to enable new catalytic transformations. The research spans synthesis, mechanistic studies, and characterization using NMR, X-ray crystallography, and spectroscopic methods. A major focus is on iron and palladium carbene complexes, exploring their roles in metathesis, radical chemistry, and small molecule activation.
His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in developing iron-based catalytic systems for olefin metathesis and C–H activation, as well as pioneering work on nucleophilic, electrophilic, and radical carbenes in palladium and platinum systems. These studies often integrate DFT calculations and kinetic analysis to elucidate reaction mechanisms and guide catalyst design.
Selected Awards:
- NSF CAREER Award (2016)
- ChemComm Emerging Investigator (2016)
- Dalton Transactions New Talent Americas (2016)
- Inorganica Chimica Acta Next Generation (2016)
- BP Postdoctoral Fellowship (2008–2011)
- McCormick Graduate Fellowship (2002–2004)
Dr. Iluc has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, including multiple PhD graduates such as Melissa Hoffbauer, Cody Work, and Dominic Babbini. His group has received research support through competitive grants, including the NSF CAREER award. He collaborates with postdoctoral scholars and integrates computational and experimental approaches to advance catalytic science. His lab maintains a strong focus on training versatile scientists skilled in air-sensitive synthesis and advanced characterization techniques.
The Iluc research group operates within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Notre Dame, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities for synthesis and analysis. The team includes graduate students, undergraduates, and former postdoctoral researchers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on innovation in organometallic chemistry and sustainable catalysis.
