The North American Catalysis Society (NACS)

NACS News

12/19/2005
Soled is 2006 Ciapetta Lecturer

It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Stuart Soled of ExxonMobil Research
& Engineering Co. is the 2006 F. G. Ciapetta Lecturer. This award is
sponsored by Grace Davison Catalysts and administered by The North American Catalysis Society. The award is given in recognition of substantial contributions to one or more areas in the field of catalysis with emphasis on industrially significant catalysts and catalytic processes and the discovery of new catalytic reactions and systems of potential industrial importance. The
Award consists of a plaque, an honorarium and additional money is available
to cover traveling expenses to visit many of the local clubs in North
America. The local clubs should contact Dr. Soled directly (908-730-2577)
to make travel arrangements.

Stu has a long and distinguished record in industrial research. His
nominators cited his many contributions to the synthesis, structural and
functional characterization, and use of catalytic solids. Stu has made
discoveries and fundamental advances in bulk solid oxides, molecular oxide
clusters, sulfides, and carbides applied to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis,
hydrodesulfurization, oxidation, and acid catalysis. Most recently, his
work on novel, mixed metal catalysts have had a dramatic impact on the
desulfurization of diesel fuels. These Nebula catalysts offer significantly
enhanced activity which allow refiners to retrofit existing hydrotreaters
with little additional capital cost and to produce a product which exceeds
the governmentally mandated clean fuels standards around the world. Well
over one million pounds of the Nebula catalyst has been deployed throughout
the world for the production of ultra low sulfur fuels.

Dr soled is probably best know for his work in the area of solid acidity.
His 1993 paper on the chemistry of sulfated zirconia has been cited over
100 times in the last five years, and it provides the definitive account of the
structural requirements for isomerization of larger alkanes on these
materials. He continued this work with the novel family of tungstated
zirconias. Stu also led an effort in understanding aspects of
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis that are critical components of the AGC-21
process and led the generation of a new generation of more stable catalysts.

Stu has been at ExxonMobil in Annandale, N.J. since 1979
where he is a senior member of the technical staff with the title of Distinguished Research Associate. He received his Ph.D. in 1973 from
Brown University and his B.S. in Chemistry from City College of New York (graduated Magna Cum Laude). He has received the 2003 NY Catalysis Society Excellence in Catalysis Award and the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award in 2002 which is given for product innovations and important scientific breakthroughs originating in the State of New Jersey.

John Armor, President, North American Catalysis Society

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