Catalysis: Concepts and Green Applications

This introductory textbook covers all aspects of catalysis. It also bridges computational methods, industrial applications and green chemistry, with over 700 references. The author, a renowned researcher in catalysis, teaches scientific writing as well as chemistry. This makes him the ideal person to write such a textbook. The effectiveness of his practical approach has been well proven in courses for undergraduates and graduates (in 2007 he was voted "lecturer of the
year" by the chemistry students).
Following an introduction to green chemistry and the basics of catalysis, the book covers biocatalysis, homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis, as well as computer applications in catalysis research.
Each chapter also features integrated exercises that help students prepare for their exams.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION
Green chemistry and sustainable development
What is catalysis and why is it important?
Tools in catalysis research
Exercises
THE BASICS OF CATALYSIS
Catalysis is a kinetic phenomenon
Practical approaches in kinetic studies
An overview of the basic concepts in catalysis
Exercises
HOMOGENEOUS CATALYSIS
Metal complex catalysis in the liquid phase
Homogeneous catalysis without metals
Scaling up and down: Pros and cons
"Click chemistry" and homogeneous catalysis
Exercises
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
Classic gas/solid systems
Liquid/solid and liquid/liquid catalytic systems
Advanced process solutions using heterogeneous catalysis
Exercises
BIOCATALYSIS
The basics of enzymatic catalysis
Applications of enzyme catalysis
Developing new biocatalysts: Better than nature's best
Non-enzymatic biocatalysts
Industrial examples
Exercises
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN CATALYSIS RESEARCH
Computers as research tools in catalysis
Modelling catalysts and catalytic cycles
Predictive modelling and rational catalyst design
An overview of data mining methods in catalysis
Exercises

About the Author :
Gadi Rothenberg is Professor at the Van `t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Amsterdam, where he teaches courses on catalysis, thermodynamics and scientific writing. He has published over 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals and discovered two catalysts, for which he received the Marie Curie Excellence Award in 2004 and the Paul Rylander Award in 2006. Rothenberg also invented a method for monitoring pollutants in water, and co-founded the companies Sorbisense and Yellowdiesel. In 2007 he was voted 'teacher of the year' by the chemistry students. He is married, owns no car, and has a black belt in Shaolin Kung-Fu.

Review :
“Everything about this book is reader-friendly, from the well-designed figures and the use of color to the complete titles in the references. The writing is crisp and engaging, with morsels of historical facts and details scattered throughout the text.” (Journal of Chemical Education, February 2010)

"I read this book with great pleasure. It is well worth the affordable price … .Very readable and informative, with some interspersed historic annotations, which make certain developments easier to understand." (ChemSusChem, December 2008)

"The author's highly readable and concise style results in a comprehensive treatment of catalysis that will make of this book a lasting reference for chemistry scholars at all levels." (Advanced Synthesis and Catalysis, September 2008)

"This book will help graduate students and pharmaceutical scientists and technologists enhance their understanding of green-chemistry applications and their implications for the environment.  It is a useful resource for professionals seeking synthetic methods that are efficient and environmentally benign." (Pharmaceutical Technology Magazine, September 2, 2008)

"This book is informative and fascinating, and will be a solid work for catalysis course or a worthwhile investment for an interested student." (CHOICE, September 2008)

One of those timely books that does not leave you empty-handed … The more I read the book the more interested and surprised I was. (Chemistry World, July 2008)