Prof Stephen Ojwach obtained his BScHons degree in Chemistry from the University of Nairobi, MSc and PhD degrees in Inorganic Chemistry, from the University of Western Cape and University Johannesburg respectively. Prof Ojwach is currently a Full Professor of Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
He previously served as the Head of Discipline of Chemistry (Pietermaritzburg) between 2015-2021. He is also a visiting Professor and collaborates with researchers from a number of international institutions such as; the University of Lethbridge (Canada), RWTH Aachen University, Technical University of Kaiserslautern (Germany), Maseno University (Kenya), Liverpool John-Moores University (United Kingdom), University of Strasbourg (France), Technical University of Kenya, University of Embu, Moi University among others.
Prof Ojwach is currently an Associate Editor, RSC Advances (Royal Society of Chemistry), a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), member of the American Chemistry Society (MACS) and South African Chemical Institute (MSACI), a reviewer for several peer review journals, external examiner for a number of universities, and an NRF (South Africa) C2- rated scientist.
Catalysis is a multibillion dollar industry in modern technology, as over 80% of both industrial and domestic commodities are produced through catalytic processes. The Catalysis and Organometallic Research Unit (CORU), Discipline of Chemistry, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal is adopting a multi-disciplinary approach aim at understanding the basic coordination chemistry of metal complexes, synthetic organometallic chemistry and their applications as catalysts in organic transformation reactions. While the group mainly focuses on homogeneous catalysis, the research focus has shifted to the interface of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and sustainable processes. Detailed kinetics, theoretical and mechanistic studies are also performed to compliment the experimental data and offer insights on the rational ligand and complex design. Our expertise in the design of coordination compounds have seen research collaborations to investigate the kinetics of ligand substitution reactions and anti-cancer activities of palladium and ruthenium complexes.
The research group of Prof Ojwach in a nutshell covers the core disciplines of synthetic coordination and organometallic chemistry, catalysis and bioinorganic chemistry. The main thrust of the research activities thus involves the rationale and delicate design and development of late transition metal complexes and their applications as catalysts in a wide range of organic transformation reactions, sustainable processes and as metallo-drugs, especially anti-cancer agents. The main organic transformations include value addition to the abundant olefin reserves as in ethylene oligomerization, polymerization, carbonylation and hydrogenation reactions to produce a wide range of valuable feedstock used in the production of fuel, detergents, surfactants, as well as the fine and specialty products. The research group also addresses the need to develop sustainable processes and promotion of a circular economy through the design of earth abundant metal based catalysts such as cobalt, manganese, iron in the production and degradation of biodegradable polyesters, and conversion of biomass derived materials to bio-friendly chemicals. To augment the experimental results and offer more insights on the quantitative structure property activity relationships and aid in the smart design of future materials, the research group also compliments experimental studies with theoretical, in silico approaches and machine learning.
Professor
Chemistry
Ojwach@ukzn.ac.za
033 260 5239
