Let's Talk Chemistry- a science podcast by ChemTalk · The ChemTalk Team

Episode 59: Dr. Paul Chirik on Modern Alchemy

September 5, 2025·18 min·1 clip

Paul Chirik's advice for future scientists: find the problem that makes you smile while walking down the street.

Princeton chemistry professor Paul Chirik discusses his research in sustainable catalysis, termed 'modern alchemy,' which aims to replace rare, expensive metals like palladium and rhodium with abundant ones like iron and cobalt. He explains real-world applications in drug synthesis with companies like Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and reveals a breakthrough project with ExxonMobil on chemically recyclable plastics made from butadiene.

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