Improved molecularly-defined cobalt catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol have been developed. A key factor for increased productivity (up to twofold compared to previous state-of-the-art-system) is the specific nature of substituents on the triphos ligand. In addition, the effect of metal precursors, and variations of additives have been investigated.

Hydroformylation of olefinsh as been studied in the presence of specific heterogeneous cobalt nanoparticles. The catalytic materials were preparedb yp yrolysis of preformed cobalt complexes deposited ontod ifferent inorganic supports. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) measurements indicated ac orrelation of catalysta ctivity and cobalt leachinga sw ell as as trong influence of the heterogeneous support on the productivity.T hese new,l ow-cost, easy-tohandle catalystsc an substitute more toxic, unstablea nd volatile cobalt carbonylc omplexes for hydroformylations on a laboratory scale.

An active and renewable catalyst for olefin hydrogenation was obtained by inclusion of cobalt in a carbon matrix derived from the pyrolysis of chitosan.

Biomolecule modified supported cobalt nanoparticles efficiently hydrogenate diverse natural, industrial and functionalized olefins in water under mild conditions.