Rate My Professor Belén Martin-Matute

Martín-Matute’s research specializes in developing efficient, selective catalytic processes—both homogeneous and heterogeneous—for forming carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds, emphasizing sustainability by utilizing renewable resources like water and CO2, avoiding hazardous intermediates. Her group explores borrowing hydrogen methodologies, dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT), relay catalysis, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as catalysts, with applications to late-stage functionalization of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Notable publications include “Selective and Quantitative Functionalization of Unprotected α-Amino Acids Using a Recyclable Homogeneous Catalyst” (Chem, 2022), “Metal-Organic Frameworks as Catalysts for Organic Synthesis: A Critical Perspective” (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2019), and “Base-Catalyzed Stereospecific Isomerization of Electron-Deficient Allylic Alcohols and Ethers” (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2016). She has garnered major awards such as the 2024 Arrhenius Plaque, 2023 Ulla and Stig Holmquist Scientific Prize (SEK 1.6 million), 2017 Göran Gustafsson Prize, 2013 Lindbomska Award, and 2007 Young Investigator Award from the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry. Elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Chemistry Class) in 2023, she serves as Associate Editor for Organic Letters (since 2021) and on advisory boards for ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Chemistry—A European Journal, and Chemistry Europe.