21September, 2018
CV of KARL O. CHRISTE
Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry,
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089
Phone:213-740 3552 Fax: 213-740 6679 Email:
EDUCATION
1957B. Sc., Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany
1958University of Vienna, Austria
1960M. Sc., Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany
1961Ph. D., Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
1994-University of Southern California, Research Professor
1994-2005ERC, Raytheon, and Hughes STX, Senior Staff Advisor, at Edwards Air Force Base, Edwards, CA
1967-1994Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, Canoga Park, CA, Group Leader, Exploratory Chemistry
1962-1967Stauffer Chemical, Richmond, CA, Senior Research Chemist
1960-1961Farbwerke Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany, Ph. D. Fellow
1958-1960Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany, Teaching Assistant
MAJOR HONORS
2018Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award
2017Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
2017Honorary Professorship, Nanjing University of Science & Technology, China
2016Camille and Henry Dreyfus Lecture, Dartmouth College
2015National ACS Award in Iodine Chemistry
2012Richard C. Tolman Award, ACS So Cal Division
2010Frohn Lecture, Duisburg, Germany, GDCH
2010Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (Salzburg)
2009Inaugural Neil Bartlett Memorial Lecture, UC Berkeley
2009Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences (Liege)
2007Appointed to the Presidential Commission of the GDCH
2006Alfred Stock Prize, German Chemical Society
2004Science Advisory Board, DoD
2004HEDM/NANO Award, DARPA
2003SamuelMcElvain Lecture, University of, Madison
2003National ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry
2002Coates Lecture, University of Wyoming, Laramee
2001Josef Goubeau, 100th Birthday Memorial Lecture, U. Stuttgart, GDCH
2000Prix Moissan
1997Star Team Award, Air Force
1986National ACS Award in Fluorine Chemistry
1969Apollo Achievement Award, NASA
PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS
395publications (H index 44) in refereed journals and 65 patents
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. Christe has 56 years of experience in the synthesis of novel high energy oxidizers, explosives and rocket propellants and has managed and scientifically directed many government funded research contracts. He has achieved the first syntheses of many spectacular compounds, such as ClF3O, ClF3O2, halogen perchlorates, OIF4OF, OsF4O2, and ions, such as NF4+, ClF6+, ClF6-, ClO2F2-, ClO2F2+, ClF2O+, ClF4O-, NF3+, NF2O+, N7O+, and NH2F2+. He has invented solid propellant fluorine and hydrogen gas generators for chemical laser weapon systems and has discovered the first purely chemical synthesis of elemental fluorine. He has developed a synthesis for anhydrous tetramethylammonium fluoride and has pioneered the use of this compound as a source of “naked” fluoride ions, which has led to a renaissance of high coordination number chemistry. Among the novel compounds, which he prepared in this manner, are the XeF5- and IF52- anions, which are the first known examples of pentagonal planar AX5species. His most recent breakthrough discovery in fluorine chemistry is based on the realization that strong Lewis acids can enhance the oxidizing power of fluorine by 6.7 eV, making it the strongest known neutral one-electron oxidizer. His seminal work in fluorine chemistry has received world-wide recognition, resulting in Wikipedia referring to him as the “Fluorine God.”
In addition to his impressive achievements in fluorine chemistry, he also has made important contributions to numerous other fields of chemistry. For example, he has prepared the first stable oxonium, OH3+, and sulfonium, SH3+, salts, has discovered a new process for metal joining using hydrazine as a gaseous flux, has developed new methods for the introduction of fluorine into aromatic rings, and has pioneered graphite-based ion exchange resins for the use with powerful oxidizers in anhydrous HF solutions. In addition, he has made major discoveries in the field of the chemistry of fluorocarbons, inorganic high polymers, chemical laser technology, and methane oxychlorination. More recently, he has focused his efforts on polynitrogen chemistry and has discovered the N5+, N3NFO+, N7O+, and cyclo-N5- ions, nitrylcyanide, and many new polyazides and polycyanides. His latest research interests are in the areas of high oxygen carriers and green replacements for ammonium perchlorate, liquid monopropellants and explosives.
He has made extensive use of computational chemistry and, together with Dave Dixon, he has also invented the first quantitative scales for oxidizer strength and Lewis acidity. The latter compliments the pH scale and will become equally important in chemistry.
CONSULTING ACTIVITIES
Dr. Christe has worked as a consultant for numerous firms including Chrysler, Science and Technology Applications, US Enrichment Corp., E. Merck Scientific, Rocketdyne, Aerojet, Boeing, Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney,Havelide, and SKmaterials.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Dr. Christe is a member of the American Chemical Society, including the Fluorine, Inorganic Chemistry, and Southern California Divisions, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Pyrotechnics Society, the European Academy of Sciences (Liege), the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (Salzburg), the Gesellschaft DeutscherChemiker, and the American Fencing Association.
LANGUAGES
English, German, French, Spanish, Latin
GENERAL INTERESTS
Fencing (former member of both the German and US National Teams, still active as fencing coach, and President of the Beverly Hills Fencers Club), tennis, scuba diving, general fitness, bridge, traveling.