Carola Vogel's PhD thesis focuses on the synthesis, and structural and spectroscopic characterization of the first high valent iron nitride complexes. In her interdisciplinary and collaborative research Carola also describes the reactivity studies of a unique iron (V) nitride complex with water. These studies show that quantitative yields of ammonia are given at ambient conditions. High valent iron nitride and oxo species have been proposed as key intermediates in many bio-catalytic transformations, but until now these species have proven exceedingly challenging to isolate and study. Iron complexes in high oxidation states can thus serve as models for iron-containing enzymes to help us understand biological systems or aid our development of more efficient industrial catalysts.

The work presented in Thomas M. Gogsig's thesis deals with the discovery of new metal-catalyzed transformations ranging from Kumada-, Heck- and Suzuki-type reactions. The thesis starts with a formidable introduction to Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. New results have been obtained on: (i) Pd-catalyzed 1,2-migration reactions, (ii) Pd-catalyzed Heck reactions employing heteroaromatic tosylates, (iii) Ni-catalyzed Heck reactions, and (iv) Pd-catalyzed carbonylative Heck reaction. Metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are today a highly competititve field (the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded "for palladium-catalyzed cross couplings in organic synthesis", the 2001 and 2005 Nobel Prizes in closely related fields). Thomas M. Gogsig obtained new results in his thesis that will help to improve the outcome of catalytic processes and improve their scope. The results will thus become key references for tomorrow's new applications. All chapters include insightful discussions and in-depth descriptions of the key principles of these new discoveries.

The series Topics in Organometallic Chemistry presents critical overviews of research results in organometallic chemistry. As our understanding of organometallic structure, properties and mechanisms increases, new ways are opened for the design of organometallic compounds and reactions tailored to the needs of such diverse areas as organic synthesis, medical research, biology and materials science. Thus the scope of coverage includes a broad range of topics in pure and applied organometallic chemistry, where new breakthroughs are being achieved that are of significance to a larger scientific audience. The individual volumes of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry are thematic. Review articles are generally invited by the volume editors.

This book is devoted to the new development of zeolitic catalysts with an emphasis on new strategies for the preparation of zeolites, novel techniques for their characterization and emerging applications of zeolites as catalysts for sustainable chemistry, especially in the fields of energy, biomass conversion and environmental protection. Over the years, energy and the environment have become the most important global issues, while zeolitic catalysts play important roles in addressing them. With individual chapters written by leading experts, this book offers an essential reference work for researchers and professionals in both academia and industry. Feng-Shou Xiao is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, China. Xiangju Meng is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, China.

The importance of solid base catalysts has come to be recognized for their environmentally benign qualities, and much significant progress has been made over the past two decades in catalytic materials and solid base-catalyzed reactions. The book is focused on the solid base. Because of the advantages over liquid bases, the use of solid base catalysts in organic synthesis is expanding. Solid bases are easier to dispose than liquid bases, separation and recovery of products, catalysts and solvents are less difficult, and they are non-corrosive. Furthermore, base-catalyzed reactions can be performed without using solvents and even in the gas phase, opening up more possibilities for discovering novel reaction systems. Using numerous examples, the present volume describes the remarkable role solid base catalysis can play, given the ever increasing worldwide importance of "green" chemistry. The reader will obtain an overall view of solid base catalysis and gain insight into the versatility of the reactions to which solid base catalysts can be utilized. The concept and significance of solid base catalysis are discussed, followed by descriptions of various methods for the characterization of solid bases, including spectroscopic methods and test reactions. The preparation and properties of base materials are presented in detail, with the two final chapters devoted to surveying the variety of reactions catalyzed by solid bases.

The series Topics in Current Chemistry presents critical reviews of the present and future trends in modern chemical research. The scope of coverage is all areas of chemical science including the interfaces with related disciplines such as biology, medicine and materials science. The goal of each thematic volume is to give the non-specialist reader, whether in academia or industry, a comprehensive insight into an area where new research is emerging which is of interest to a larger scientific audience. Each review within the volume critically surveys one aspect of that topic and places it within the context of the volume as a whole. The most significant developments of the last 5 to 10 years are presented using selected examples to illustrate the principles discussed. The coverage is not intended to be an exhaustive summary of the field or include large quantities of data, but should rather be conceptual, concentrating on the methodological thinking that will allow the non-specialist reader to understand the information presented. Contributions also offer an outlook on potential future developments in the field. Review articles for the individual volumes are invited by the volume editors. Readership: research chemists at universities or in industry, graduate students

This book examines the meso- and nanoscopic aspects of fluid adsorption in porous solids using a non-invasive method of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). Starting with a brief summary of the basic assumptions and results of the theory of small-angle scattering from porous media, the author focuses on the practical aspects and methodology of the ambient and high pressure SANS and SAXS experiments and corresponding data analysis. It is illustrated with results of studies of the vapor and supercritical fluid adsorption in porous materials published during the last decade, obtained both for man-made materials (e.g. porous fractal silica, Vycor glass, activated carbon) and geological samples (e.g. sandstones, shales and coal). In order to serve the needs of broad readership, the results are presented in the relevant context (e.g. petroleum exploration, anthropogenic carbon capture and sequestration, ion adsorption in supercapacitors, hydrogen storage, etc.).

In this thesis, Xiaoshi Wang investigates the function and mechanism of a newly discovered heme-thiolate peroxygenase, AaeAPO. This enzyme class comes from Agrocybe aegerita and is used in the conversion of inert hydrocarbons to alcohols. Xiaoshi's work focuses on an extracellular P450 enzyme which is not limited in its stability and lack of solubility and therefore is relevant for widespread industrial use. The author demonstrates that the peroxygenase catalyzes a wide range of reactions. In some cases the author even describes very difficult transformations in molecules that are highly inert. Her detailed investigations provide a mechanistic framework for how the peroxygenase catalyzes such a large number of reactions. A major highlight of this thesis is the identification of key short-lived intermediates in the catalytic cycle of the peroxygenase, using rapid kinetic and spectroscopic methods, as well as the elucidation of the thermodynamic properties of these high-energy intermediates. This work adds new insight into an important class of enzymes.

Volume II presents the latest advances in catalytic hydrodeoxygenation and other transformations of some cellulosic platform chemicals to high value-added products. It presents the theoretical evaluation of the energetics and catalytic species involved in potential pathways of catalyzed carbohydrate conversion, pathways leading to the formation of humin-based by-products, and thermal pathways in deriving chemicals from lignin pyrolysis and hydrodeoxygenation. Catalytic gasification of biomass under extreme thermal conditions as an extension of pyrolysis is also discussed. Marcel Schlaf, PhD, is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph, Canada. Z. Conrad Zhang, PhD, is a Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Volume I mainly focuses on the current understanding of the reaction pathways and mechanisms involved in several important catalytic conversions of cellulose and carbohydrates. It starts with nanoscale illustrations of biomass structures and describes various reactions including cellulose depolymerization to sugars, catalytic aldose-ketose isomerization and dehydration, selective oxidation, hydrogenolysis of cellulose and sugars, and the conversion of short carbohydrates. The specificity and function of different catalysts and reaction media in relation to the catalytic performances for these reactions are discussed with significant mechanistic details. Marcel Schlaf, PhD, is a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Guelph, Canada. Z. Conrad Zhang, PhD, is a Professor at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.

Metallic nanoparticles hold promise for their potential applications in a wide array of disciplines ranging from materials science to medicine. This book brings the power of theoretical methods to an audience of experimentalists, and explicates the simulation of metallic clusters and nanoparticles. It begins with a summary of the current state of research on metallic nanoparticles, then moves on to the current state of the art in theory of metallic nanoparticldes, and then explains why and how these tools help experimentalists. Contributions are provided by renowned experts in the field from across the world.

Over the past few decades, mankind has observed an unprecedented and remarkable growth in industry, resulting in a more prosperous lifestyle for peoples of many countries. In developing countries, however, explosive industrial growth is just now beginning to raise the living standards of the people. Most industries, especially in these developing countries, are still powered by the burning of fossil fuels; con- quently, a lack of clean energy resources has caused environmental pollution on an unprecedented large and global scale. Toxic wastes have been relentlessly released into the air and water leading to serious and devastating environmental and health problems while endangering the planet and life itself with the effects of global warming. To address these urgent environmental issues, new catalytic and photocatalytic processes as well as open-atmospheric systems are presently being developed that can operate at room temperature while being totally clean and ef?cient and thus environmentally harmonious. Essential to technologies harnessing the abundant solar energy that reaches the earth are the highly functional photocatalytic proce- es that can utilize not only UV light, but also visible light.

The chemistry that occurs within confined spaces is the product of a collection of forces, often beyond the molecule, and is not easily ascribed to singular factors. There is a breadth of material types that can define a confined space (e.g. macrocycles, interlocked molecules, porous and non-porous crystals, organic and inorganic/coordination cages) which are rarely discussed together. Studies of supramolecular entities in the solution and solid states are also not often compared in the same discussion, even though the concepts are often similar or can be easily transferred between the two. Chapters in this book combine classical host-guest chemistry with catalysis, reactivity, and modern supramolecular chemistry. They cover the many different technologies used to describe and understand reactivity in confined spaces in one accessible title. With contributions from leading experts, Reactivity in Confined Spaces will be relevant for graduate students and researchers working in supramolecular chemistry, both organic- and inorganic-based, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, polymer chemistry, and materials science in general.

This brief summarizes the role of certain catalysts and associated processes that are involved in the reduction or elimination of hazardous substances from wastewater and the exploitation of renewable raw materials. The authors begin by providing a summary of the most recent developments in catalysts used in the advanced oxidation of organic pollutants in aqueous phase. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPS) are described in terms of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Some emphasis is placed on the role nanocatalysts, perovskite-type catalysts, and green catalysts play in several AOPs such as Fenton Chemistry, photocatalytic oxidation, and the hybrid technologies that combine different processes. Catalyst preparation, characterization, reaction chemistry, and process technology are described. Specific wastewater case studies which illustrate the role of these catalysts in AOPs completes the brief.

Over the past decade, much research effort has been devoted to the design and synthesis of new reagents and catalysts that can influence carbon-hydrogen bond activation, mainly because of the prospect that C H activation could enable the conversion of cheap and abundant alkanes into valuable functionalized organic compounds. Alkane C-H Activation by Single-Site Metal Catalysis presents the current state-of-the-art development in the catalytic systems for the catalytic trans-formations of alkanes under homogeneous conditions. Chapter 1 offers a comprehensive summary of the main discoveries realized so far. Chapter 2 reviews the so-called electrophilic activation, initiated by Shulpin in the late 60s, and the base for the Catalytica system. Chapter 3 examines the catalytic borylation of alkanes, discovered by Hartwig, whereas chapter 4 provides an updated vision of the alkane dehydrogenation reaction. Chapter 5 covers the oxygenation of C-H bonds, a field of enormous interest with bioinorganic im-plications, and finally chapter 6 presents the functionalization of alkane C-H bonds by carbene or nitrene insertion. The history of C-H bond activation, and the current research described in this book, highlight the current research and present the reader with an outlook of this field which continues to be explored by an increasingly visionary and enthusiastic group of organic, organometallic, biological and physical chemists.

Transition Metal Catalyzed Carbonylation Reactions is a comprehensive monograph focusing on carbon monoxide usage. This book provides students and researchers in organic synthesis with a detailed discussion of carbonylation from the basics through to applications. The authors have structured the book around the types of reactions, based on the different nucleophiles involved. Scientists working in carbonylation or with carbon monoxide, as well as teachers of organic synthesis can use this book to become familiar with this important area of organic chemistry.

Ana Escribano Cuesta's thesis presents a detailed study of the inter- and intramolecular reactions of carbonyl compounds with 1,6-enynes using gold (I) complexes. An important part of the work involved streamlining the variables that allow the selective synthesis of different products such as tricyclic compounds, dihydropyrans, 1,3-dienes or cyclobutenes. The second chapter highlights the importance and difficulties in synthesising a cyclobutene subunit and the author includes a detailed description of how the products were prepared. The final chapter outlines the synthesis of lundurines using methodology developed by the author's research group for intramolecular gold-catalyzed cyclization of indoles with alkynes. The lundurine products developed in this work show significant in vitro cytoxicity toward B16 melanoma cells. The work in this thesis has led to a number of publications in high-profile chemistry journals.

The series Topics in Organometallic Chemistry presents critical overviews of research results in organometallic chemistry. As our understanding of organometallic structure, properties and mechanisms increases, new ways are opened for the design of organometallic compounds and reactions tailored to the needs of such diverse areas as organic synthesis, medical research, biology and materials science. Thus the scope of coverage includes a broad range of topics in pure and applied organometallic chemistry, where new breakthroughs are being achieved that are of significance to a larger scientific audience. The individual volumes of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry are thematic. Review articles are generally invited by the volume editors.

Christopher M. Cheatum and Amnon Kohen, Relationship of Femtosecond-Picosecond Dynamics to Enzyme-Catalyzed H-Transfer. Cindy Schulenburg and Donald Hilvert, Protein Conformational Disorder and Enzyme Catalysis. A. Joshua Wand, Veronica R. Moorman and Kyle W. Harpole, A Surprising Role for Conformational Entropy in Protein Function. Travis P. Schrank, James O. Wrabl and Vincent J. Hilser, Conformational Heterogeneity Within the LID Domain Mediates Substrate Binding to Escherichia coli Adenylate Kinase: Function Follows Fluctuations. Buyong Ma and Ruth Nussinov, Structured Crowding and Its Effects on Enzyme Catalysis. Michael D. Daily, Haibo Yu, George N. Phillips Jr and Qiang Cui, Allosteric Activation Transitions in Enzymes and Biomolecular Motors: Insights from Atomistic and Coarse-Grained Simulations. Karunesh Arora and Charles L. Brooks III, Multiple Intermediates, Diverse Conformations, and Cooperative Conformational Changes Underlie the Catalytic Hydride Transfer Reaction of Dihydrofolate Reductase. Steven D. Schwartz, Protein Dynamics and the Enzymatic Reaction Coordinate.

Synthesis of Saturated Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Alkene Carboamination or Carboalkoxylation Reactions, by John P. Wolfe Synthesis of Saturated Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Alkene Diamination, Aminoalkoxylation, or Dialkoxylation Reactions, by Sherry R. Chemler Synthesis of Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Wacker-Type Oxidative Cyclization Reactions of Alkoxy- or Amino-Alkenes, by Wanbin Zhang Synthesis of Saturated Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Hydroamination or Hydroalkoxylation Reactions, by Lisa D. Julian Synthesis of Saturated Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation Reactions, by Aaron Aponick Synthesis of Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Cascade/Domino Reactions that Generate a C-N or C-O Bond, by Mark Lautens Synthesis of Saturated Heterocycles via Metal-Catalyzed Formal Cycloaddition Reactions that Generate a C-N or C-O Bond, by Jerome Waser

Melanie Weichselbaumer presents the synthesis of the monomers as well as the electropolymerization on Pt-electrodes. The electrolysis experiments were carried out for 40 hours and the products were analysed by gas chromatography and ionic chromatography. Pyridine-functionalized and Rhenium bipyridine-functionalized Polythiophenes can be used as heterogeneous catalysts for CO2-reduction.

Discovery of Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Intermolecular FLPs for Activation of Small Molecules, by Douglas W. Stephan Intramolecular Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Formation and Chemical Features, by Gerald Kehr, Sina Schwendemann, Gerhard Erker Frustrated Lewis Pair Mediated Hydrogenations, by Douglas W. Stephan, Gerhard Erker Amine-Borane Mediated Metal-Free Hydrogen Activation and Catalytic Hydrogenation, by Victor Sumerin, Konstantin Chernichenko, Felix Schulz, Markku Leskela, Bernhard Rieger, Timo Repo Hydrogen Activation by Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Insights from Computational Studies, by Tibor Andras Rokob, Imre Papai Quantum Chemistry of FLPs and Their Activation of Small Molecules: Methodological Aspects, by Birgitta Schirmer, Stefan Grimme Computational Design of Metal-Free Molecules for Activation of Small Molecules, Hydrogenation, and Hydroamination, by Zhi-Xiang Wang, Lili Zhao, Gang Lu, Haixia Li, Fang Huang Computational Studies of Lewis Acidity and Basicity in Frustrated Lewis Pairs, by Thomas M. Gilbert Solid-State NMR as a Spectroscopic Tool for Characterizing Phosphane - Borane Frustrated Lewis Pairs, by Thomas Wiegand, Hellmut Eckert, Stefan Grimme

Janusz Lewinski and Andrew E. H. Wheatley: Simple trivalent organoaluminum species: perspectives on structure, bonding and reactivity.- Stephan Schulz: Organoaluminum complexes with bonds to s-block, p-block, d-block, and f-block metal centers.- Samuel Dagorne and Christophe Fliedel: Low valent organoaluminium (+I, +II) species.- Rudolf Wehmschulte: Organoaluminum species in homogeneous polymerization catalysis.- Paul Knochel, Tobias Blumke, Klaus Groll and Yi-Hung Chen: Preparation of Organoalanes for Organic Synthesis.- Yuki Naganawa and Keiji Maruoka: Reactions Triggered by Lewis Acidic Organoaluminum Species.- Usein M. Dzhemilev and Vladimir A. D'yakonov: Hydro-, Carbo- and Cycloalumination of Unsaturated Compounds.- Andreas Kolb and Paultheo von Zezschwitz: Organoaluminum Couplings to Carbonyls, Imines and Halides.- Oscar Pamies and Montserrat Dieguez: Conjugate Addition of Organoaluminum Species to Michael Acceptors and Related Processes.

Organocatalyzed Reactions I and II presents a timely summary of organocatalysed reactions including: a) Enantioselective C-C bond formation processes e.g. Michael-addition, Mannich-reaction, Hydrocyanation (Strecker-reaction), aldol reaction, allylation, cycloadditions, aza-Diels-Alder reactions, benzoin condensation, Stetter reaction, conjugative Umpolung, asymmetric Friedel-Crafts reactions; b) Asymmetric enantioselective reduction processes e.g. Reductive amination of aldehydes or ketones, asymmetric transfer hydrogenation; c) Asymmetric enantioselective oxidation processes; d) Asymmetric epoxidation, Bayer-Villiger oxidation; e) Enantioselective a-functionalization; f) A-alkylation of ketones, a-halogenation and a-oxidation of carbonyl compounds.

Valentine P. Ananikov, Irina P. Beletskaya: Alkyne and alkene insertion into metal-heteroatom and metal-hydrogen bonds - the key stages of hydrofunctionalization process.- Akihiko Ishii* and Norio Nakata: The Mechanism for Transition Metal-Catalyzed Hydrochalcogenation of Unsaturated Organic Molecules.- A. L. Reznichenko and Kai C. Hultzsch: Early Transition Metal (Group 3-5, Lanthanides and Actinides) and Main Group Metal (Group 1, 2, and 13) Catalyzed Hydroamination.- Naoko Nishina and Yoshinori Yamamoto: Late transition metal catalyzed hydroamination.- Sumod A. Pullarkat and Pak-Hing Leung: Chiral Metal Complex Promoted Asymmetric Hydrophosphinations.- Masato Tanaka: Recent Progress in Transition Metal-Catalyzed Addition Reactions of H-P(O) Compounds with Unsaturated Carbon Linkages.- Christian Bruneau: Group 8 metals-catalyzed O-H bond addition to unsaturated molecules.- Giorgio Abbiati, Egle M. Beccalli, Elisabetta Rossi: Groups 9 and 10 metals-catalyzed O-H bond addition to unsaturated molecules.- Nuria Huguet and Antonio M. Echavarren: Gold-Catalyzed O-H Bond Addition to Unsaturated Organic Molecules.- Akiya Ogawa: Transition-Metal-Catalyzed S-H and Se-H Bonds Addition to Unsaturated Molecules.