Choon Woo Lee

Title: Innovations of Choon Woo Lee

Introduction

Choon Woo Lee is a prominent inventor based in La Canada, California, known for his significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. With a total of 12 patents to his name, he has made remarkable advancements in methods for creating organic compounds, particularly those derived from renewable resources.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents focuses on methods of making organic compounds by metathesis chemistry. This innovative approach is particularly useful for producing industrially important organic compounds from renewable feedstocks, such as natural oils. The methods involve a cross-metathesis step with an olefin compound, resulting in functionalized alkene intermediates with a predetermined double bond position. These intermediates can be further processed to create a variety of bifunctional organic compounds, including diacids, diesters, and various acid derivatives. Another notable patent involves the development of wax compositions derived from metathesized natural oils and amines. This method combines metathesized natural oils with amines in the presence of a basic catalyst or heat, resulting in amidated metathesized natural oils.

Career Highlights

Choon Woo Lee has had a distinguished career, working with esteemed organizations such as the California Institute of Technology and Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. His work has significantly impacted the field of organic chemistry, particularly in the development of sustainable methods for producing valuable organic compounds.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Lee has collaborated with notable figures in the field, including Robert H. Grubbs and Richard L. Pederson. These collaborations have further enhanced his research and contributions to organic chemistry.

Conclusion

Choon Woo Lee's innovative work in organic chemistry, particularly in the area of metathesis, has led to significant advancements in the production of sustainable organic compounds. His contributions continue to influence the field and pave the way for future innovations.