Curriculum Vitae (September 28, 2015)
DR. KARL O. CHRISTE
POSITION:
Research Professor, Loker Hydrocarbon Research
Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of
Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
EDUCATION:
B. Sc., Technical University Stuttgart, Germany, 1957
University of Vienna, Austria, 1958
M. Sc., Technical University Stuttgart, Germany, 1960
Ph. D., Technical University Stuttgart, Germany, 1961
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Christe has 54 years of experience in the synthesis and characterization of novel
high-energy-density-materials and has managed and scientifically directed a large number of
government funded research contracts. He has achieved the first syntheses of many
spectacular compounds, such as ClF3O, ClF3O2, halogen perchlorates, OIF4OF, OsF4O2,
NO2CN, and ions, such as NF4+, ClF6+, ClF6-, ClO2F2-, ClO2F2+, ClF2O+, ClF4O-, NF3+, NF2O+,
and NH2F2+. He has developed solid propellant fluorine 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 species.
He has a very broad background in general 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 contributions to 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+ and cyclo-N5- ions and many new
polyazides. His latest research interests are in the areas of high oxygen carriers and green
replacements for ammonium perchlorate and hydrazine-based monopropellants. They include
the synthesis and characterization of compounds such as FN(NO 2)2, nitrylcyanide,
trinitromethylborate, and ammonia-(dinitramido)boranes. He has also invented the first
quantitative scales for oxidizer strength and Lewis Acidity.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
-
University of Southern California, Research Professor, 1994 - present,
ERC, Raytheon STX, and Hughes STX, Senior Staff Advisor, Edwards Air Force
Base, 1994 - 2005,
Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, Canoga Park, CA, Manager of
Exploratory Chemistry, 1967-1994,
Stauffer Chemical, Richmond, CA, Senior Research Chemist, 1962-67,
Farbwerke Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany, Ph. D. Fellow, 1960-1961,
Technical University of Stuttgart, Germany, Teaching Assistant, 1958-1960.
PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS:
Dr. Christe has 376 publications in refereed journals and 65 patents to his credit. He
has presented more than 500 invited lectures at international and national conferences.
CONSULTING ACTIVITIES
Dr. Christe has worked as a consultant for numerous firms including Chrysler, Science
and Technology Applications, ERC, Hughes, Raytheon, US Enrichment Corp., E. Merck
Scientific, Rocketdyne, Pratt & Whitney, Aerojet, and Havelide.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND AWARDS:
Dr. Christe is a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker, and the
International Society for Pyrotechnics. He has received numerous awards, including
the ACS Iodine Award (2015), the ACS Richard C. Tolman Award (2011), Elections to
the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (Salzburg) (2010), and the European
Academy of Sciences (Liege) (2009), the Alfred Stock Gedaechtnispreis of the German
Chemical Society (2006), the ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry (2003), the Prix
Moissan (2000), the ACS Award for Creative Work in Fluorine Chemistry (1986), and
the NASA Apollo Achievement Award (1969).