Heterogeneous catalysis of organic reactions

Abstract

A decade's worth of work is reviewed: building on the demonstrated prowess of heterogeneous catalysis in industrial organic chemistry, the author's laboratory devised efficient catalysts for a number of organic reactions, based on aluminosilicates such as clays and zeolites. This review also spells out, at a time when creative research is overshadowed by imitative research, some of the methological musts that also happen to characterize physical organic chemistry: the devising of experiments so that accurate numerical data can be obtained; the importance of remote, interdisciplinary connections; the need for estrangement from stereotypic preconceptions that may obscure the true explanations for the phenomena; and the over-riding need for concerning oneself only, or at least predominantly, with the important facts that nature tells, if one cares to listen.

Ab initio DFT cluster studies of angle-resolved NEXAFS spectra for differently coordinated oxygen at the V2O5(010) surface

“…Detailed knowledge of geometric and electronic properties of catalysts on a microscopic level is of great importance for an understanding of their reactivity in catalytic reactions and can help to design catalysts with better selectivity or reactivity [1][2][3][4]. Here we consider vanadium oxides which form a group of transition metal oxides that are widely used as active components in catalysts for many chemical reactions of industrial importance [5][6][7].…”

Promotion of 1,3‐dithiolanes using a bentonitic clay as catalyst

“…There are many general methods for the preparation of dithiolanes involving different reagents and catalysts, such as H·Y zeolite, FeCl 3 , nafion, and more commonly BF 3 ; however, these catalysts have restrictions due to the pollution and their high cost [3]. In view of these considerations, the use of natural and modified clays as catalytic promoters provides important and attractive alternatives [4]. As part of our research work [5][6], TAFF, a commercial bentonitic clay [3], has long being employed by us as a catalyst and as a support of inorganic molecules in order to promote organic reactions, such as the promotion of oxathiolanes, ketonic dithiolanes, and trioxanes.…”

Microwave assisted acylation of methoxyarenes catalyzed by EPZG®catalyst

“…Acid clays with exchangeable cations were found to be very good Friedel-Crafts acylation catalysts. [1][2][3] Clay supported Lewis acids are especially good Friedel-Crafts catalysts 4,5 and are therefore commercialized. A review focused on the use of heterogeneous catalysts in the production of fine and speciality chemicals was published recently.…”