This book introduces readers to the preparation of two-dimensional metal sulfide/oxide for CO2 photoreduction. Based on two-dimensional metal sulfide/oxide materials, this book establishes the structure-to-property relationships of photocatalyst for CO2 photoreduction, and reveals the intrinsic mechanism of the CO2 photoreduction by virtue of the in situ characterization techniques and the density functional theory calculations. It is anticipated that this book will help to identify empirical guidelines for designing and fabricating high-performance catalysts of solar-driven CO2 reduction.

The homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of CO and the carbonylation and homologation of alcohols and their derivatives emerged nearly 40 years ago, in the U.S.A. and Germany. Since that time, the two topics have generally been reviewed separately, with no concern for their common aspects, in terms of both the chemical transformations involved, nor for the catalytic aspects, until Japanese workers, during the National C1 Chemistry Project, which ran from 1980 to 1987, unified both the scientific and technological approaches in the field. The literature from 1940--1980 has been well reviewed, and so the time is now ripe for a thorough, careful review of work accomplished since then. Under the editorial inspiration of Professor Braca, Oxygenates by Homologation or CO Hydrogenation with Metal Complexes presents an authoritative reconsideration and review of research on oxygenate production by CO hydrogenation, and the homologation of alcohols, aldehydes, ethers and esters in the presence of transition metal complexes. The three chapters of the book, each presenting a masterly overview of its topic, are entitled: Monoalcohols, Glycols and their Ethers and Esters by CO Hydrogenation; Alcohols and Derivatives by Homologation with SynGas; and Hydrocarbonylation of Aldehydes and their Derivatives. The chapters are presented in a common format, presenting the performances of the catalytic systems of different metals, followed by a general discussion of the reaction mechanism along the successive reaction steps, from the activation of the substrates up to their chemical modification and the restoration of the catalysts. Attention is also paid to the problems of stability and deactivation of thecatalytic systems and to the difficulties of the industrial development of the reactions. (2nd text) This volume presents an overview of the current status of research into homogeneous phase catalytic carbon monoxide hydrogenation and the carbonylation and homologation of alcohols and their derivatives, with emphasis on the progress which has been made since 1982. The concents are divided into three major chapters. Chapter 1 deals with monoalcohols, glycols and their ethers and esters by carbon monoxide hydrogenation. Chapter 2 discusses alcohols and their derivatives by homologation with syngas. Chapter 3 considers the hydrocarbonylation of aldehydes and their derivatives. The organization of the material in each of these chapters follows a common scheme. The performance of catalytic systems of different metals is presented and then reaction mechanisms are discussed for successive reaction steps, from the activation of substrates to their chemical modifications and the restoration of catalysts. Attention is also paid to problems of stability and deactivation of catalytic systems. The difficulties associated with the industrial development of the various reactions is also considered. For research organic chemists in academia and industry whose work involves catalysis.

During the last decade we have been witness to several exciting achievements in electron crystallography. This includes structural and charge density studies on organic molecules complicated inorganic and metallic materials in the amorphous, nano-, meso- and quasi-crystalline state and also development of new software, tailor-made for the special needs of electron crystallography. Moreover, these developments have been accompanied by a now available new generation of computer controlled electron microscopes equipped with high-coherent field-emission sources, cryo-specimen holders, ultra-fast CCD cameras, imaging plates, energy filters and even correctors for electron optical distortions. Thus, a fast and semi-automatic data acquisition from small sample areas, similar to what we today know from imaging plates diffraction systems in X-ray crystallography, can be envisioned for the very near future. This progress clearly shows that the contribution of electron crystallography is quite unique, as it enables to reveal the intimate structure of samples with high accuracy but on much smaller samples than have ever been investigated by X-ray diffraction. As a tribute to these tremendous recent achievements, this NATO Advanced Study Institute was devoted to the novel approaches of electron crystallography for structure determination of nanosized materials.

This book highlights key advances that have occurred in the field of olefin conversion in recent years. The role of homogenous transition metal catalysts which contain an imine functionality is emphasized; their potential applications in the processing and upgrade of olefins to a wide variety of commodity products of very high industrial value is also explored. On the threshold of the fiftieth anniversary of the Noble Prize to Ziegler and Natta, this book gives a critical summary of the state of the art developments in the fascinating and rapidly developing field of the olefin polymerization, oligomerization, and co-polymerization catalysis.

This textbook presents a concise comparison of catalytic and biocatalytic systems outlining their catalytic properties and peculiarities. Moreover, it presents a brief introduction to the science of catalysis and attempts to unify different catalytic systems into a single, conceptually coherent structure. In fact, molecular dynamics and complexity may occur in both catalysts and biocatalysts, with many similarities in both their structural configuration and operational mechanisms. Moreover, the interactions between the different components of the catalytic system that are important in defining the overall activity, including the nature of active sites are discussed. Each chapter includes end of chapter questions supported by an online instructor solution manual. This textbook will be useful for undergraduate and graduate chemistry and biochemistry students.

This book investigates the use of palladium modified by bulky ligands as catalysts for new chemical transformations that rapidly assemble several classes of complex heterocyles. It documents the development of new chemical reactions involving carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-halogen (C-X) bond formation in the context of alkene difunctionalization and dearomatization reactions. Due to the ubiquity of heterocycles in bioactive natural products and life-improving pharmaceutical treatments, a long-term goal for synthetic organic chemists has been to develop novel and creative heterocycle syntheses that illicit a high degree of product diversity and are characterized by mild reaction conditions and limited waste production. A considerable fraction of leading pharmaceutical drugs contain at least one heterocycle within their chemical structure, and their prevalence in these technologies is strong evidence that the fundamental curiosities of organic chemistry lead to real-world solutions for the health and wellness of the global population.

As nucleophiles, simple alkenes are typically so unreactive that only highly active electrophiles, such as carbocations, peroxides, and halogens will react with them. For the generation of carbon-carbon bonds, milder methods will often be required. Fortunately, it is possible to increase the reactivity of alkene-type p-nucleophiles by introducing electron-donating substituents. Substitution of one H with an OH or OR gives an enol or a vinyl ether, which are already much better nucleophiles. Using nitrogen instead of oxygen, one obtains even better nucleophiles, enamines. Enamines are among the most reactive neutral carbon nucleophiles, exhibiting rates that are even comparable to some charged nucleophiles, such as enolates [1, 2]. Most enamines, unfortunately, are sensitive to hydrolysis. The parent enamine, N,N-dimethylvinylamine, has in fact been prepared [3], but appears to be uns- ble. Enamines of cyclic ketones and many aldehydes can readily be isolated, however [4-7]. The instability of enamines might at first appear to diminish the utility of enamines as nucleophiles, but actually this property can be viewed as an added benefit: enamines can be readily and rapidly generated catalytically by using a suitable amine and a carbonyl compound. The condensation of aldehydes or ketones with amines initially affords an imine or iminium ion, which then rapidly loses a proton to afford the corresponding enamine (Scheme 1).

High throughput experimentation has met great success in drug design but it has, so far, been scarcely used in the field ofcatalysis. We present in this book the outcome of a NATO ASI meeting that was held in Vilamoura, Portugal, between July 15 and 28, 2001, with the objective of delineating and consolidating the principles and methods underpinning accelerated catalyst design, evaluation, and development. There is a need to make the underlying principles of this new methodology more widely understood and to make it available in a coherent and integrated format. The latter objective is particularly important to the young scientists who will constitute the new catalysis researchers generation. Indeed, this field which is at the frontier offundamental science and may be a renaissance for catalysis, is one which is much more complex than classical catalysis itself. It implies a close collaboration between scientists from many disciplines (chemistry, physics, chemical and mechanical engineering, automation, robotics, and scientific computing in general). In addition, this emerging area of science is also of paramount industrial importance, as progress in this area would collapse the time necessary to discover new catalysts or improve existing ones.

This book provides an overview of plasticizers, from the latest global research developments to the laws and regulations applied to their use. In addition the book details the author's recently developed methodology for a catalytic hydrogenation of phthalate plasticizers. It presents insights into the development of the catalytic phthalate hydrogenation from the reaction mechanism and catalyst characterization to pilot tests and its industrialization. Given its scope, the book will appeal to a broad readership, particularly professionals at universities and scientific research institutes, as well as practitioners in industry.

I knew nothing of the work of C. G. Vayenas on NEMCA until the early nineties. Then I learned from a paper of his idea (gas interface reactions could be catalyzed electrochemically), which seemed quite marvelous; but I did not understand how it worked. Consequently, I decided to correspond with Professor Vayenas in Patras, Greece, to reach a better understanding of this concept. I think that my early papers (1946, 1947, and 1957), on the relationship between the work function of metal surfaces and electron transfer reactions thereat to particles in solution, held me in good stead to be receptive to what Vayenas told me. As the electrode potential changes, so of course, does the work function at the interface, and gas metal reactions there involve adsorbed particles which have bonding to the surface. Whether electron transfer is complete in such a case, or whether the effect is on the desorption of radicals, the work function determines the strength of their bonding, and if one varies the work function by varying the electrode potential, one can vary the reaction rate at the interface. I got the idea. After that, it has been smooth sailing. Dr. Vayenas wrote a seminal article in Modern Aspects of Electrochemistry, Number 29, and brought the field into the public eye. It has since grown and its usefulness in chemical catalytic reactions has been demonstrated and verified worldwide.

Exhibiting both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic properties, nanocatalysts allow for rapid and selective chemical transformations, with the benefits of excellent product yield and ease of catalyst separation and recovery. This book reviews the catalytic performance and the synthesis and characterization of nanocatalysts, examining the current state of the art and pointing the way towards new avenues of research. Moreover, the authors discuss new and emerging applications of nanocatalysts and nanocatalysis, from pharmaceuticals to fine chemicals to renewable energy to biotransformations. Nanocatalysis features contributions from leading research groups around the world. These contributions reflect a thorough review of the current literature as well as the authors first-hand experience designing and synthesizing nanocatalysts and developing new applications for them. The book s nineteen chapters offer a broad perspective, covering: * Nanocatalysis for carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom coupling reactions * Nanocatalysis for various organic transformations in fine chemical synthesis * Nanocatalysis for oxidation, hydrogenation, and other related reactions * Nanomaterial-based photocatalysis and biocatalysis * Nanocatalysts to produce non-conventional energy such as hydrogen and biofuels * Nanocatalysts and nano-biocatalysts in the chemical industry Readers will also learn about the latest spectroscopic and microscopy tools used in advanced characterization methods that shed new light on nanocatalysts and nanocatalysis. Moreover, the authors offer expert advice to help readers develop strategies to improve catalytic performance. Summarizing and reviewing all the most important advances in nanocatalysis over the last two decades, this book explains the many advantages of nanocatalysts over conventional homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, providing the information and guidance needed for designing green, sustainable catalytic processes.

This book reviews the challenges and opportunities posed by flow chemistry in drug discovery, and offers a handy reference tool for medicinal chemists interested in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Prepared by expert contributors, the respective chapters cover not only fundamental methodologies and reactions, such as the application of catalysis, especially biocatalysis and organocatalysis; and non-conventional activation techniques, from photochemistry to electrochemistry; but also the development of new process windows, processes and reactions in drug synthesis. Particular attention is given to automatization and library synthesis, which are of great importance in the pharmaceutical industry. Readers will also find coverage on selected topics of general interest, such as how flow chemistry is contributing to drug discovery R&D in developing countries, and the green character of this enabling technology, for example in the production of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry from waste. Given its scope, the book appeals to medicinal chemistry researchers working in academia and industry alike, as well as professionals involved in scale-up and drug development.

This book is an enthusiastic account of Pierre Laszlo's life and pioneering work on catalysis of organic reactions by modified clays, and his reflections on doing science from the 1960s to 1990s. In this autobiography, readers will discover a first-hand testimony of the chemical revolution in the second half of the 20th century, and the author's perspective on finding a calling in science and chemistry, as well as his own experience on doing science, teaching science and managing a scientific career. During this period, Pierre Laszlo led an academic laboratory and worked also in three different countries: the US, Belgium and France, where he had the opportunity to meet remarkable colleagues. In this book, he recalls his encounters and collaborations with important scientists, who shaped the nature of chemistry at times of increased pace of change, and collates a portrait of the worldwide scientific community at that time. In addition, the author tells us about the turns and twists of his own life, and how he ended up focusing his research on clay based chemistry, where clay minerals were turned in his lab to catalysis of key chemical transformations. Given its breath, the book offers a genuine information on the life and career of a chemist, and it will appeal not only to scientists and students, but also to historians of science and to the general reader.

The focus of this thesis is the computational modelling of transition metal bimetallic (nanoalloy) clusters. More specifically, the study of Pd-Pt, Ag-Pt, Au-Au and Pd-Au as a few tens of atoms in the gas phase. The author used a combination of global optimization techniques - coupled with a Gupta-type empirical many-body potential - and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to study the structures, bonding and chemical ordering, as well as investigate the chemisorptions of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on bimetallic clusters. This research is highly relevant to experimental catalytic studies and has resulted in more than seven publications in international journals.

Over the past twenty years, Catalysis by Heteropolyacids (HPAs) has received wide attention and led to new and promising developments both at academic and industrial level. In particular, heterogeneous catalysis is particularly attractive because it generally satisfies most of green chemistry's requirements. By emphasizing the development of third generation catalysts, this volume presents trends and opportunities in academic and industrial research. The book appeals to postgraduates, researchers, and chemists working in the field of environmentally benign catalysts as well as catalytic processes.

This book presents the synthetic methodologies as well as the properties and potential usage of various ruthenium-containing materials. Starting from the first examples of 'ruthenopolymers' reported in the 1970s to the 3D architectures now synthesized, these materials have shown their importance far beyond fundamental polymer science. As well as highlighting the remarkable properties and versatile applications, this book also addresses a key question related to the applications of such heavy-metal-containing materials from the perspective of achieving a sustainable future. This book is of interest to both materials scientists and chemists in academia and industry.

Over the last decade the environmental setup has changed for synthetic organ ic chemists to a considerable degree. So far synthetic organic chemistry had focussed on methodology development which mainly deals with the develop ment of new reactions as well as new reagents and catalysts. These ought to be able to perform preferentially highly selective (chemo-, regio-and stereose lective) synthetic transformations, often applied in the context of complex and highly functionalized molecules. Except for the synthesis of peptides and oligonucleic acids, little attention has been spent on the question of how synthesis can be carried out in an envi ronment of sophisticated technologies which includes improved hardware. While peptides and oligonucleotides are conveniently prepared by Merrifield's solid phase technique, solution phase synthesis of most other synthetic targets have not been substantially replaced by this solid phase approach. Without discussing this aspect in detail it is obvious that today a renaissance of sophis ticated solution phase synthesis can be noted. Immobilization of reagents and particularly catalysts, an old concept indeed, recently returned back onto the stage and this is addressed in this volume of Topics in Current Chemistry in a broader sense."

Continuously increasing oil prices, a dwindling supply of petroleum, and the existence of extensive reserves of biomass, especially of coal, have given rise to a growing interest in generating CO/H from these sources. Catalytic reactions can 2 convert CO/H mixtures to useful hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon intermediates. 2 There is little doubt that petroleum will remain the backbone of the organic chemical industry for many years to come, yet there is great opportunity for CO as an alternative feedstock at times when it is needed. The loosely defined body of chemistry and technology contained in these areas of development has become known as C 1 chemistry, embracing many C 1 building blocks such as CH , CO/H , CO, CH OH, CO and HCN; still emphasis 4 2 3 2 rests on carbon monoxide. Academic research laboratories, oil and chemical companies are in the vanguard of C 1 chemistry. The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry is sponsoring a seven-year program of 14 major chemical companies in C 1 chemistry aimed at developing new technology for making basic chemicals from CO and H2 . It is likely that C 1 chemistry will develop slowly but persistently and the future holds great potential.

This outstanding thesis describes a detailed investigation into the use of low-oxidation-state group 14 complexes in catalysis, developed at the cutting edge of inorganic and organometallic chemistry. It includes the preparation of a number of landmark compounds, some of which challenge our current understanding of metal-metal bonding and low-oxidation-state main group chemistry. Among the many highlights of this thesis, the standout result is the development of the first well-defined, low- oxidation-state main group hydride systems as highly efficient catalysts in the hydroboration of carbonyl substrates, including carbon dioxide, which are as efficient as those observed in more traditional, transition-metal catalyses. These results essentially define a new subdiscipline of chemistry.

This volume discusses the role of ZIF-8 composites in water decontamination as an adsorbent and photocatalyst. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are advanced porous materials and are promising adsorbents with facile modifications, high specific surface area, controllable porosity, and tailored surface properties. Water pollution is a major concern and has endangered human health. Recently, researchers have designed MOFs for use in remediation.

Advances in Polymer Science enjoys a longstanding tradition and good reputation in its community. Each volume is dedicated to a current topic, and each review critically surveys one aspect of that topic, to place it within the context of the volume. The volumes typically summarize the significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years and discuss them critically, presenting selected examples, explaining and illustrating the important principles, and bringing together many important references of primary literature. On that basis, future research directions in the area can be discussed. Advances in Polymer Science volumes thus are important references for every polymer scientist, as well as for other scientists interested in polymer science - as an introduction to a neighboring field, or as a compilation of detailed information for the specialist.

Alexander L. Reznichenko and Kai C. Hultzsch: Catalytic ?-Bond Metathesis Zhichao Zhang, Dongmei Cui, Baoli Wang, Bo Liu, Yi Yang: Polymerization of 1,3-Conjugated Dienes with Lanthanide Precursors Frank T. Edelmann: Homogeneous Catalysis using Lanthanide Amidinates and Guanidinates Tianshu Li, Jelena Jenter, Peter W. Roesky: Rare Earth Metal Post-metallocene Catalysts with Chelating Amido Ligands

This book focuses on the computational modeling of organometallic reactivity. In recent years, computational methods, particularly those based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) have been fully incorporated into the toolbox of organometallic chemists' methods. Nowadays, energy profiles of multistep processes are routinely calculated, and detailed mechanistic pictures of the reactions arise from these calculations. This type of analysis is increasingly performed even by experimentalists themselves. The volume aims to connect established computational organometallics with the more recent theoretical and methodological developments applied to this field. This would allow broadening of the simulation scope toward emergent organometallic areas (as ligand design or photoactivated processes), to narrow the gap between calculations and experiments (microkinetic models) and even to discover new reactions (automated methods). Given the broad interest and extensive application that computational methods have reached within the organometallic community, this new volume will attract the interest of both experimental and computational organometallic chemists.

This book presents recent advances in and perspectives on the use of organoselenium compounds, primarily highlighting the new frontiers in the field of Green Chemistry, their therapeutic and biological relevance and new materials. Throughout its 200 pages, readers will find an updated and comprehensive review of new aspects of organoselenium chemistry and biochemistry. Fully referenced and written in an easy to read style, it offers readers a primary resource for including organoselenium derivatives in their projects. This book will be of interest to specialists, students and researchers involved in a broad range of fields, from synthetic green chemistry to medicinal chemistry and the chemistry of natural products. The connection between organoselenium compounds and green chemistry, despite having only recently emerged, is one of the subjects of this book. The first chapter highlights the use of Se-containing molecules as reagents and catalysts in new green protocols to access important organic transformations. The book provides a wealth of examples of bioactive Se-containing molecules, especially focusing on those with potential therapeutic uses. The second chapter focuses on the state of the art concerning the role of organoselenium compounds as antioxidants, GPx mimics, and derivatives endowed with different bioactive properties. "Organoselenium in nature" is the title of the third chapter, which equips readers with essential information on the main natural organoselenium compounds and where they are found. Selected aspects of the metabolism of selenium in plants and microorganisms are also discussed. In closing, the book includes a chapter dedicated to recent advances concerning the nonbonding interactions between organochalcogen compounds. This is currently a hot topic in selenium chemistry and biochemistry, and here readers will find key insights into the chalcogen bond and its role in the biological activity of organoselenium compounds.