Persps in Catalysis

Catalysis is considered worldwide as one of the top research frontiers of chemistry. It is the backbone of the chemical industry and hence the key to the production of fabrics, foodstuffs, fuels and pharmaceuticals. It is also a fundamental feature of all life processes. The last three decades have witnessed, in the scientific study of catalysis, a progressive shift from phenomenological approaches to structured and mechanistic investigations at the molecular level, using new sophisticated and very powerful instrumentation, quantum chemical calculations and other computational methods. Engineering of catalytic reactors has also become more based on a deeper understanding of elementary steps, on insights into the kinetics and mechanisms of catalytic reaction and on mathematical modelling of catalytic processes and reactors. On the eve of the 21st century new ideas emerging from basic research in catalysis promise breakthroughs that may change the profile of industries in the future. This is particularly true of the chemical and petroleum industry where technologies based on catalysis already play a dominant role. Another area to benefit from research in the automotive industry. These techniques will also exert a dominating role in energy production, in metallurgy, biotechnology and medicine. Given the profound effect that advances in recent research in the area will have upon our industries in the 21st century, it is perfectly proper that one of the first books in this series should be dedicated to catalysis.

Table of Contents:
Creating the future of chemical industry: catalysis by molecular design; Perspectives in catalysis: via studies on molecular level to new industrial catalysts and processes; Design of catalysts based on metal complexes; Catalysis with giant palladium clusters; Surface organometallic chemistry in oxides, zeolites and metals; Correlations and differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis: a surface sciences view; Catalysis with organized molecular systems; Kinetics in catalysis; Kinetic models in heterogeneous catalysis; Modelling of heterogeneous catalytic reactions and reactors; New trends in the analysis and design of catalytic reactors; Catalytic chemistry of methane conversion; Catalysis for energy production; The application of catalyst technology to pollution control; Architecture of oxide catalysts; New insights into zeolite catalysis; Heteropoly acid catalysis: a unique blend of acid-base and redox properties; Catalysis with clays and their pillared variants; Index