Max Planck Institute for Coal Research

The Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (MPI) has its headquarters in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Research focus is the development of selective catalysts. Unlike the other Max Planck Institutes, which are legally dependent part of the Max Planck Society, this Institute is a nonprofit, independent foundation under private law. Purpose of the foundation is the scientific study of coal to mean benefits. It is realized by basic research in the field of natural sciences. Foundation supports are the Max Planck Society, the city of Mülheim an der Ruhr and the coal mining industry.

History

The Institute was founded in 1912 as the "Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Coal Research ," the opening took place on 27 July 1914. First director was Franz Fischer. Since 1948, the Institute is part of the Max Planck Society (MPG).

Organization

The Max Planck Institute for Coal Research consists of five departments:

• Organic synthesis under the direction of Manfred T. Reetz ( Emeritus).
• Homogeneous catalysis under the leadership of Benjamin List.
• Heterogeneous catalysis headed by Ferdi Schüth
• Organometallic Chemistry under the direction of Alois Fuerstner.
• Theory under the direction of Walter Thiel.

Together with the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research GmbH maintains the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research, the International Max Planck Research School for Surface and Interface Engineering in Advanced Materials.

2008 MPI for the work of Karl Ziegler in the field of organic and organometallic chemistry, and chemical catalysis of the German Chemical Society has been awarded Historic site of chemistry.