Since the first report on alcohol oxidation in 1998, many studies have highlighted some peculiarity of gold with respect to other metals. Some analogies have been found between gas and liquid phases, but the big challenge to operate in a condensed phase lies in the role of the solvent in tuning the reactant-catalyst contact. Liquid-phase oxidation has numerous applications. However, many studies on gold catalysts have been devoted to gas-phase reactions. Only recently has the scientific community approached gold-catalyzed liquid-phase oxidation. This complete, exhaustive book covers the topic of gold-based catalyst applications in selective oxidation in the liquid phase. It presents a rational state of the art and will be useful for researchers, even those not yet involved in the field.

Metal-free carbons have recently shown great efficiency in several catalytic processes, including oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethylbenzene and alkenes, hydrogen evolution, liquid Bronsted and Lewis acid catalysis and electrochemical reactions. The catalytic activities of carbon materials are intimately related to their defects, structures, and surface chemistry. In particular, nitrogen functionalized carbons present different surface functional groups, and they can be used as multifunctional catalysts, either through their electronic or nucleophilic properties, or their ability to form additional H bonds with substrates. This book provides an overview of the preparation, characterization and application of metal-free functionalized carbons, including carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nitride and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). It is ideal for researchers and industrialists working in catalysis, gas sensing and carbon dioxide storage.