The aim of research into reaction mechanisms is to understand the chemical processes occurring in our environment. Mapping these processes at the molecular level is indispensable for developing more effective medicines and for creating new catalysts that facilitate green energy and carbon dioxide capture.
- Everybody knows that, if we strike a match, it bursts into flame. However, only few realize that this process involves a multitude of reaction steps while generating a series of various transient products that disappear after a short time. What we aim to understand here is the sequence and speed of these reaction steps, which constitutes the reaction mechanism itself- explained István Fábián, describing the essence of the field. In fact, he was the one who launched the European Colloquium on Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms (ECIRM) conference in Debrecen in 2013.
The professor emeritus of the Institute of Chemistry (Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen) recalled how his initiative had quickly evolved into an international traveling conference, driven by the enthusiasm of foreign partners. A high number of renowned experts not only from several European countries but also from overseas attended this year’s gathering, which was the seventh of its kind.
During the course of the four-day conference, there were more than 60 participants presenting their latest scientific findings in homogeneous and heterogeneous redox processes, catalysis and organometallic chemistry through lectures and poster sessions. ECIRM 2026 puts special emphasis on non-traditional analytical methods that offer new, molecular-level insights into the functioning of reactive systems.
In his welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the event on Sunday, the dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Debrecen mentioned that the six institutes of this faculty together form a multidisciplinary ecosystem in which fundamental scientific discoveries continuously fuel modern technological innovations.
- The six organizational units within the Faculty of Science and Technology (DE TTK) all hold the ‘Excellent Research Site’ title recognized by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. We also host as many as ten elite research groups supported by the Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN). In addition, we are home to two flagship Hungarian projects as well as two ‘Frontline’ (Élvonal) research programs comparable in caliber to ERC grants. Being the recipient of two such grants is an extraordinary achievement for a single faculty, especially for one located outside the capital city of Budapest. These results are further bolstered by our infrastructure: three of our facilities rank among Hungary’s top 50 research infrastructures- said Szilárd Szabó.
In his speech, the head of the faculty laid special emphasis on the key role of the Institute of Chemistry, which ranks at the forefront of similar institutes in Hungary. He also noted that several distinguished members of the institute had received high-level honors at the academic year opening ceremony of the University of Debrecen, which had been held earlier the same day. There, professors György Bazsa and István Fábián were both awarded the title of Rector Emeritus (with György Bazsa also receiving a University of Debrecen Commemorative Medal), while Katalin Várnagy was presented with the Pro Universitate Award.
The research groups of the Institute of Chemistry maintain an extensive system of international networks and are engaged in a number of successful research initiatives in this field, ranging from the study of contrast agents used in MRI diagnostic techniques to developments involving functionalized aerogels. One of its recently concluded research projects was related to space technology.
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