Professor Arjan W. Kleij, Group Leader at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) and ICREA Professor, has been awarded the 2026 José Barluenga Medal, granted by the Specialized Group in Organic Chemistry (GEQOR) of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ). The award recognises researchers with an outstanding scientific career and significant contributions to the development of organic chemistry.
The jury particularly highlighted the impact of Professor Kleij’s research in the field of catalysis, as well as his ability to open new avenues for transforming simple molecules, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), into useful chemical products.
At ICIQ, his group works to develop new ways of manufacturing molecules and materials in a more efficient and sustainable manner. An important part of his research focuses on reusing CO₂ and other abundant resources as feedstocks, as well as designing new chemical reactions that enable the production of advanced materials and compounds of interest for sectors such as pharmaceuticals and polymers.
Throughout his career he has received several international distinctions, including the Research Excellence Award of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (2020), his election as Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2021), the European Sustainable Chemistry Award (2023), the Scientific Excellence Award of the Catalan Chemical Society (2023) and the Rafael Usón Medal from the Specialized Group in Organometallic Chemistry of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (2025).
Since 2023 he has also coordinated the European doctoral network D-Carbonize, dedicated to training early-stage researchers in technologies for more sustainable carbon utilisation.
Professor Kleij has been a guest professor at the University of Tokyo (2022) and a visiting professor at the University of Salerno (2024). He also chaired the 4th EuChemS Congress on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, held in Tarragona in 2019. To date, he has co-authored around 240 scientific publications and several patents, with more than 17,000 citations.
The José Barluenga Medal, named after the renowned Asturian chemist and pioneer in organic synthesis, will be formally presented during the next Barluenga Conference, which will take place in Oviedo this coming October.
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