A Career in Catalysis: John E. Bercaw

On the occasion of Professor John Bercaw’s 70th birthday, we reflect and highlight his distinguished career in organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. What began as a fundamental interest in the chemistry of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium compounds and their interaction with molecular nitrogen evolved into a vibrant and diverse program tackling some of the most important problems in catalysis. Using well-defined organometallic compounds, fundamental insights were gained in the mechanism of CO reduction; basic transformations of organometallic chemistry, such as alkene insertion and alkyl β-hydrogen elimination; the origin of stereocontrol in metallocene-catalyzed polymerization; and in the activation of hydrocarbons by electrophilic late transition metals.