20 September, 2017
CV of KARL O. CHRISTE
Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry,
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Phone: 213-740 3552 Fax: 213-740 6679 Email:
EDUCATION
1957 B. Sc., Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany
1958 University of Vienna, Austria
1960 M. Sc., Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany
1961 Ph. D., Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
1994- University of Southern California, Research Professor
1994-2005 ERC, Raytheon, and Hughes STX, Senior Staff Advisor, at Edwards Air Force Base, Edwards, CA
1967-1994 Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, Canoga Park, CA, Group Leader, Exploratory Chemistry
1962-1967 Stauffer Chemical, Richmond, CA, Senior Research Chemist
1960-1961 Farbwerke Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany, Ph. D. Fellow
1958-1960 Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany, Teaching Assistant
MAJOR HONORS
2017 Honorary Professorship, Nanjing University of Science & Technology, China
2016 Camille and Henry Dreyfus Lecture, Dartmouth College
2015 National ACS Award in Iodine Chemistry
2012 Richard C. Tolman Award, ACS So Cal Division
2010 Frohn Lecture, Duisburg, Germany, GDCH
2010 Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (Salzburg)
2009 Inaugural Neil Bartlett Memorial Lecture, UC Berkeley
2009 Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences (Liege)
2007 Appointed to the Presidential Commission of the GDCH
2006 Alfred Stock Prize, German Chemical Society
2004 Science Advisory Board, DoD
2004 HEDM/NANO Award, DARPA
2003 Samuel McElvain Lecture, University of, Madison
2003 National ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry
2002 Coates Lecture, University of Wyoming, Laramee
2001 Josef Goubeau, 100th Birthday Memorial Lecture, U. Stuttgart, GDCH
2000 Prix Moissan
1997 Star Team Award, Air Force
1986 National ACS Award in Fluorine Chemistry
1969 Apollo Achievement Award, NASA
PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS
391 publications (H index 43) in refereed journals and 65 patents
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Dr. Christe has 55 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 AX5 species. 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, 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 Divions, 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 Deutscher Chemiker, and the American Fencing Association.
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.
COMPLETE LIST OF PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS
PUBLICATIONS
1. "Silico Phosphoric Acid and Its Derivatives," Z. Anorg. Allgem. Chem., 325, 26 (1963), J. Goubeau, K. O. Christe, W. Teske, W. Wilborn.
2. "Antimony Pentafluoride as a Fluorinating Agent," J. Chem. Soc., 5549, (1963), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
3. "Note on Octafluoroanthraquinone," Chem. Ber., 96, 2537 (1963), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
4. "Preparation of Hexafluorobenzene from 1,2 Difluoro-1,2, Dichloroethane," Chem. Ber., 97, 2092 (1964), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
5. "Silicon Tetrafluoride, A New Fluorinating Agent," J. Org. Chem., 29, 3007 (1964), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
6. "Silicontetrafluoride as a Fluorinating Agent, Part II," J. Chem. Soc., 827, (1965), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
7. "Ionic Complexes Containing the Difluorochlorinium Cation, ClF2+," Z. Anorg. Allgem. Chem., 335, 210 (1965), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
8. "The Chemistry of Carbonyl Chloride Fluoride. I. The Ring Opening of Cyclic Ethers with Carbonyl Fluoride," J. Org. Chem., 30, 1639 (1965), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
9. "The Chemistry of Carbonyl Chloride Fluoride. II. The Reaction between Vicinal Diols and Carbonyl Chloride Fluoride," J. Org. Chem., 30, 1644 (1965), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
10. "The Difluorochlorate (I) Anion, ClF2-," Inorg. Chem., 4, 905 (1965), K. O. Christe, J. P. Guertin.
11. "Aromatic Fluorine Compounds. II. A Novel method for Introducing Fluorine into an Aromatic Ring," J. Org. Chem., 30, 3170 (1965), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
12. "Difluorochlorates (I) of Cesium, Rubidium, and Potassium," Inorg. Chem., 4, 1785 (1965), K. O. Christe, J. P. Guertin.
13. "Aromatic Fluorine Compounds. III. The Introduction of a Fluorine Atom into Substituted Aromatic Rings," J. Org. Chem., 30, 4104 (1965), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
14. "Aromatic Fluorine Compounds. IV. The Introduction of More than One Fluorine Atom into the Same Ring by a Novel Method," J. Org. Chem., 31, 559 (1966), K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
15. "Structure of the Tetrafluorochlorate (III) Anion, ClF4-," Inorg. Chem., 5, 473 (1966), K. O. Christe, J. P. Guertin.
16. "The Tetrafluoronitronium (V) Cation, NF4+," Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Letters, 2, 83 (1966), K. O. Christe, J. P. Guertin, A. E. Pavlath.
17. "Complex Fluoro Cations. II. Tetrafluoronitrogen (V) Cation NF4+. Synthesis and Properties of NF4+AsF6-," Inorg. Chem., 5, 1921 (1966), J. P. Guertin, K. O. Christe, A. E. Pavlath.
18. "The Difluorochlorinium (III) Cation, ClF2+. Vibrational Spectra and Force Constants," Inorg. Chem., 6, 313 (1967), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny.
19. "Complex Fluoro Cations. III. Tetrafluoronitrogen (V) Cations, NF4+. Vibrational and 19F NMR Spectra of NF4+AsF6-," Inorg. Chem., 6, 533 (1967), K. O. Christe, J. P. Guertin, A. E. Pavlath, W. Sawodny.
20. "The Difluorochlorate (I) Anion, ClF2-. Vibrational Spectra and Force Constants," Inorg. Chem., 6, 1159 (1967), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny, J. P. Guertin.
21. "The Interaction of Phosgene with Lewis Acids," Inorg. Chem., 6, 1706 (1967), K. O. Christe.
22. "The Hexafluoroiodine (VII) Cation, IF6+," Inorg. Chem., 6, 1783 (1967), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny.
23. "The Tetrafluorochlorate (III) Anion, ClF4-. Raman Spectrum and Force Constants," Z. anorg. allgem. Chem., 357, 125 (1968), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny.
24. "The Hexafluoroiodine (V) Anion, IF6-. Vibrational Spectra," Inorg. Chem., 7, 626 (1968), K. O. Christe, J. P. Guertin, W. Sawodny.
25. "On the Vibrational Assignment of IF6+," Inorg. Chem., 7, 1685 (1968), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny.
26. "Vibrational Spectra of Hexafluoroiodate Salts," Inorg. Chem., 7, 2174 (1968), K. O. Christe, S. P. Beaton, D. W. A. Sharp, A. J. Perkins, I. Sheft, H. H. Hyman.
27. "The FCl2+ Cation," Inorg. Chem., 8, 212 (1969), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny.
28. "On the Complex Formation of ClF5 with Lewis Acids and Bases," Inorg. Chem., 8, 391 (1969), K. O. Christe, D. Pilipovich.
29. "The Difluoronitronium Cation, NF2O+," Inorg. Chem., 8, 1253 (1969), K. O. Christe, W. Maya.
30. "Preparation of NF2Cl," Inorg. Chem., 8, 1539 (1969), K. O. Christe.
31. "Comment on the Electrical Conductivity of BF3 in Mixed Halogen Fluorides," J. Phys. Chem., 73, 2791 (1969, K. O. Christe.
32. "The Chloryl Cation ClO2+," Inorg. Chem., 8, 2489 (1969), K. O. Christe, with C. J. Schack, D. Pilipovich, W. Sawodny.
33. "Radical Cations in the Chlorine Fluoride-Antimony Pentafluoride Systems," J. Am. Chem. Soc., 91, 7777 (1969), K. O. Christe, J. Muirhead.
34. "Some Structural Aspects of IF6+AsF6- from NMR Data," J. Chem. Phys., 52, 1969 (1970), J. F. Hon, K. O. Christe.
35. "Electrical Conductivity of BrF3," J. Phys. Chem., 74, 2039 (1970), K. O. Christe.
36. "Raman Spectrum and Force Constants of SF4," J. Chem. Phys., 52, 6320 (1970), K. O. Christe.
37. "The Tetrafluorobromate (III) Anion, BrF4-," Inorg. Chem., 9, 1852 (1970), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack.
38. "On the Structure of Complexes between BrF3 and Lewis Acids," Inorg. Chem., 9, 2296 (1970), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack.
39. "Infrared Spectrum of ClOSO2F," Spectrochim. Acta, 26A, 2367 (1970), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack, E. C. Curtis.
40. "On the Infrared Spectrum and Force Constants of the Tetrafluorochlorate (III) Anion ClF4-," Z. Anorg. Allgem. Chem., 374, 306 (1970), K. O. Christe, W. Sawodny.
41. "The Raman Spectrum of IF6+AsF6- in HF Solution," Inorg. Chem., 9, 2801 (1970), K. O. Christe.
42. "Matrix-Isolation Study of the Low Pressure Pyrolysis and Ultraviolet Photolysis of Dimethyl Peroxides and of CF3OCl," J. Am. Chem. Soc., 93, 51 (1971), K. O. Christe, D. Pilipovich.
43. "Matrix-Isolation Study of ClF5," Spectrochim. Acta, 27A, 631 (1971), K. O. Christe.
44. "The Vibrational Spectra of Dimethyl Peroxides," Spectrochim. Acta., 27A, 463 (1971), K. O. Christe.
45. "Bromine Perchlorate," Inorg. Chem., 10, 1078 (1971), C. J. Schack, K. O. Christe, D. Pilipovich, R. D. Wilson.
46. "The Vibrational Spectrum of the N2F+ Cation," J. Mol. Struct., 8, 245 (1971), K. O. Christe, R. D. Wilson, W. Sawodny.
47. "Matrix-Isolation Study of BrF3," Spectrochim. Acta, 27A, 931 (1971), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis, D. Pilipovich.
48. "Halogen Perchlorates, Vibrational Spectra," Inorg. Chem., 10, 1589 (1971), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack, E. C. Curtis.
49. "Laser Raman Spectrum of the NF4+ Cation," Inorg. Chem., 10, 2813 (1971), K. O. Christe, D. Pilipovich.
50. "Vibrational Spectra and Force Constants of the Square Pyramidal Anions, SF5-, SeF5- and TeF5-" Inorg. Chem., 11, 1679 (1972), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis, C. J. , D. Pilipovich.
51. "The Difluorochlorate (V) Anion, ClO2F2-," Inorg. Chem., 11, 35 (1972), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis.
52. "The Crystal Structure of [BrF4]+[Sb2F11]-," Inorg. Chem., 11, 608 (1972), K. O. Christe, M. D. Lind.
53. "On Alkali Metal Fluoride-IF5 Adducts," Inorg. Chem., 11, 1215 (1972), K. O. Christe.
54. "Selenium Pentafluoride Chloride, SeF5Cl. Vibrational Spectrum," Inorg. Chem., 11, 583 (1972), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack, E. C. Curtis.
55. "On the Reactions of Chlorine Fluorides with Hydroxyl Compounds," Inorg. Chem., 11, 1220 (1972), K. O. Christe.
56. "Iodine Trisperchlorate and Cesium Tetraperchlorato Iodate (III)," Inorg. Chem., 11, 1682 (1972), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack.
57. "The Difluoroperchloryl Cation, ClO2F2+," Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Letters, 8, 453 (1972), K. O. Christe.
58. "Chlorine Trifluoride Dioxide, ClF3O2," Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Letters, 8, 457 (1972), K. O. Christe.
59. "The Hexafluorochlorine (VII) Cation, ClF6+," Inorg. Nucl. Chem. Letters, 8, 741 (1972).
60. "Chlorine Trifluoride Oxide. I. Preparation and Properties," Inorg. Chem., 11, 2189 (1972), D. Pilipovich, C. B. Lindahl, C. J. Schack, R. D. Wilson, K. O. Christe.
61. "Chlorine Trifluoride Oxide. III. Vibrational Spectrum, Force Constants and Thermodynamic Properties," Inorg. Chem., 11, 2196 (1972), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis.
62. "Chlorine Trifluoride Oxide. IV. Reaction Chemistry," Inorg. Chem., 11, 2201 (1972), C. J. Schack, K. O. Christe, C. B. Lindahl, D. Pilipovich.
63. "Chlorine Trifluoride Oxide. V. Complex Formation with Lewis Acids and Bases, Inorg. Chem., 11, 2205 (1972), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack, D. Pilipovich.
64. "Chlorine Trifluoride Oxide. VI. The Tetrafluorooxychlorate (V) Anion, ClF4O-. Vibrational Spectra and Force Constants," Inorg. Chem., 11, 2209 (1972), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis.
65. "Chlorine Trifluoride Oxide. VII. The ClF2O+ Cation. Vibrational Spectrum and Force Constants," Inorg. Chem., 11, 2212 (1972), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis, C. J. Schack.
66. "Dimethyl Sulfate, Vibrational Spectra," Spectrochim. Acta, 28A, 1889 (1972), K. O. Christe, E. C. Curtis.
67. "The Tetrafluoroiodate (III) Anion, IF4-," Inorg. Chem., 12, 59 (1973), K. O. Christe, D. Naumann.
68. "New Technique for Metal Bonding and Cleaning," Welding Journal, 37, 569-S (1972), K. O. Christe, R. D. Wilson, D. Pilipovich.
69. "A 19F NMR Study of Chlorine Fluoride Cations," Inorg. Chem., 12, 84 (1973), K. O. Christe, J. F. Hon, D. Pilipovich.
70. "Vibrational Spectrum and Force Constants of the SF5O- Anion," Inorg. Chem., 12, 620 (1973), K. O. Christe, C. J. Schack, E. C. Curtis, D. Pilipovich, W. Sawodny.
71. "The ClF6+ Cation, Synthesis and Vibrational Spectrum," Inorg. Chem., 12, 1580 (1973), K. O. Christe.
72. "Chlorine Trifluoride Dioxide, ClF3O2. Synthesis and Properties," Inorg. Chem., 12, 1356 (1973), K. O. Christe, R. D. Wilson.
73. "The Difluoroperchloryl Cation, ClO2F2+," Inorg. Chem., 12, 1358 (1973), K. O. Christe, R. D. Wilson, E. C. Curtis.