Alexey Zaitsev

 

My name is Alexey Zaitsev. I´m 32 years old and come from Irkutsk in Russia. I work as a researcher at AkzoNobel Functional Chemicals RD&I Center at Deventer in the Netherlands, a post I have held since 2009.

I joined AkzoNobel after completing a postdoctoral position in organometallic chemistry at ETH Zurich, Switzerland where I studied the development of new transition metal catalysts for allylation reactions and how to apply NMR techniques for structural investigations. I´m now working on developing new metal alkyls, which are used in the production of polymers, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and solar cells, and at the same time I'm working on an exciting project called Fuzebox. I really enjoy being able to work on challenging projects requiring non-standard solutions, which deliver significant learning and huge benefits to both the company and human society as a whole.

I started my academic career at Irkutsk State University in Russia where I obtained my Masters in 2000. Three years later, in 2003, I finished my PhD in organic chemistry in Irkutsk. My thesis was dedicated to heterocyclic and acetylene chemistry. During that three year period, I was involved in joint projects with BASF (acetylene chemistry) and Samsung (new materials for electronics). This was followed by a postdoctoral position in organometallic chemistry at Stockholm University, Sweden where I worked on the development of new transition metal-based catalytic systems for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

AkzoNobel attracted me by its diversity, potential for breakthrough innovations and possibilities of working on such innovations. The majority of decisions in our BU are still driven by current business needs but I see a very positive dynamics toward a more innovative approach. I find it very rewarding to contribute to these multi-disciplinary teams that are working diligently on the many sustainable solutions.