Andrew Fedors

Graduate researcher in the Catalytic Cascade Thrust of the Center for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE).

Collaborated with researchers from UNC Chapel Hill to synthesize two new Lehn's Catalyst analogs suitable for aromatic stacking attachment to various materials.

Synthesized and performed electrochemical analysis on a family of novel molecular Ru polypyridyl catalysts for the electro-reduction of CO₂ to formate.

Began synthesis of a series of Ru-PNP catalysts for the homogeneous CO₂ hydrogenation.

Mentorships and Collaborations

• Mentored two undergraduate students and supported one through a senior Capstone project in chemistry, culminating in an undergraduate thesis and a poster presentation.
• Worked with a visiting Professor in our group on the synthesis and evaluation of electrocatalysts, as well as instrument maintenance.

Synthesized novel ligand backbone en route to preparation of metal NHC complexes for the electro-reduction of carbonyls.

Synthesized various organic molecules to test electrocatalysts for benchmarking catalyst potency.

Continued synthesis of NHC ligand scaffold and made beginning strides toward the synthesis of novel organometallic catalysts for the sustainable electrocatalytic dehydrogenation of alcohols and hydrogenation of carbonyls.

Performed optimization of an electrochemical system using Ir piano stool complexes.

Completed Capstone Honors Project, culminating in my undergraduate thesis, Iridium Hydride Complex for Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Substrates.