Understanding the mechanism of a chemical reaction is essential for controlling selectivity and yield of products, and improving the efficiency of chemical processes. The principles of inorganic mechanisms are best established for main-group and transition metals, but have expanded into other areas like biochemistry and f-block elements. Research in this field thus lies at an important multidisciplinary intersection point between applications in catalysis, synthetic chemistry, enzymatic processes and materials science. The 2017 Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms Gordon Conference will provide a forum for academic, industrial and national laboratory scientists to meet and present the latest findings in these areas. The invited speakers will show how fundamental reaction mechanisms at metals govern various processes that lead to pharmaceuticals, metabolites, foods, chemical raw materials, plastics, fuels, and more.

The program will feature leading scientists from across the field of inorganic chemistry (broadly defined) and will also feature a poster session open to all attendees. An opportunity will be provided for selected poster presenters to give short oral presentations about their work. Students, postdocs and other early career scientists are highly encouraged to participate and submit posters; they can also attend the inaugural 2017 Gordon Research Seminar on Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms to start out the week in a student-centered environment.