Bob's Education

I have been fortunate enough to recieve (and afford!) a tertiary education consisting of the following:

A B.Sc degree with majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1990,
A B.Sc Honnours degree majoring in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1991, and
A M.Tech * degree majoring in Catalytic Chemistry from the Port Elizabeth Technikon in 1994 (cum laude).

* M.Tech = Magister Technologiae, a Masters degree in Technology - specializing in Chemistry.

The title of my Masters Disertation is:

Aspects of the Catalytic, Liquid-Phase Air Oxidation of Aromatic Ethers

The project demonstrated the feasibility of oxidising p-cresol (a low value industrial product) via an etherified derivative (4-methylanisole) to a commercially important aldehyde intermediate (p-anisaldehyde) using a cobalt-bromide catalyst in a carboxylic acid solvent system. Several experimental parameters were investigated with the aim of maximising p-anisaldehyde selectivity and yield at maximum substrate conversion rates and levels. The reaction mechanism was investigated and a multivariate investigation conducted to identify the various multi-factor interactions that influenced the production of the value added product.

If all goes according to plan, I'll probably register for Ph.D sometime in the near future. I just have to find the motivation to force myself to do this!

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