Organometallics: Exploration Tool for Surface Phenomena in Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract

Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyses have sufficient common features that are based on the same molecular phenomena, thus permitting them and their benefits to be directed to the same objective. Moreover, conditions that apply to one of them can yield benefits to the other. In this chapter, the progress of combining these advantages is demonstrated on a particular topic of testing a suitable structural model from the field of organometallic compounds, whose structure resembles complexes adsorbed on the surface of heterogeneous catalysts. The adsorbed complexes represent key structures in the conversion of reactants to products, while their demanding structural characterization is one of the main persistent topics of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. These include compounds procuring a precious mechanistic interpretation of such complex concepts as the catalytic activity and selectivity. The knowledge of the structure of an adsorbed complex leads to a better understanding of the complex surface processes and more precisely defined heterogeneous catalysts. The understanding of processes on the molecular level allows discussing the structure-activity. Analogies and differences between molecular (homogeneous catalysis) and surface (heterogeneous catalysis) chemistry are addressed in this review. The work demonstrates that these two fields are complementary, presenting a large potential for the development of novel and superior catalysts when the advantages of both sub-disciplines are combined.