Bruce Gates: a career in catalysis

Abstract

On the occasion of his 80th birthday, we take stock of the remarkable and ongoing career of Professor Bruce C. Gates. This Account highlights his key scientific achievements in three areas of significance: supported metal clusters and atomically dispersed metal complexes, hydroprocessing reaction networks and catalysts, and strong acid catalysis. His contributions in all three areas are noteworthy and have been sustained over 50 years. The work of his group evolved from mainly catalyst synthesis and reaction studies to also incorporate sophisticated characterization techniques based on X-ray absorption spectroscopies and improved scanning transmission electron microscopic examination of catalytic surfaces. In the course of this work, he has addressed, and contributed to the solutions of some of the most significant and challenging problems in catalysis of the last half century.