Design and Applications of Single-Site Heterogeneous Catalysts

For far too long chemists and industrialists have relied on the use of aggressive reagents such as nitric and sulphuric acids, permanganates and dichromates to prepare the massive quantities of both bulk and fine chemicals that are needed for the maintenance of civilised life - materials such as fuels, fabrics, foodstuffs, fertilisers and pharmaceuticals. Such aggressive reagents generate vast quantities of environmentally harmful and often toxic by-products, including the oxides of nitrogen, of metal oxides and carbon dioxide. Now, owing to recent advances made in the synthesis of nanoporous solids, it is feasible to design new solid catalysts that enable benign, mild oxidants to be used, frequently without utilising solvents, to manufacture the products that the chemical, pharmaceutical, agro- and bio-chemical industries require. These new solid agents are designated single-site heterogeneous catalysts (Sshcs). Their principal characteristics are that all the active sites present in the high-area solids are identical in their atomic environment and hence in their energy of interaction with reactants, just as in enzymes. Single-site heterogeneous catalysts now occupy a position of growing importance both academically and in their potential for commercial exploitation. This text, the only one devoted to such catalysts, dwells both on principles of design and on applications, such as the benign synthesis of nylon 6 and vitamin B3. It equips the reader with unifying insights required for future catalytic adventures in the quest for sustainability in the materials used by humankind. Anyone acquainted with the language of molecules, including undergraduates in the physical and biological sciences, as well as graduates in engineering and materials science, should be able to assimilate the principles and examples presented in this book. Inter alia, it describes how clean technology and 'green' processes may be carried out in an environmentally responsible manner.

This book will certainly become a milestone in the attempts to develop unifying concepts in catalysis. --Gerhard Ertl, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 2007

A true marriage of the practical and the fundamental, John Thomas's masterly account of single-site heterogeneous catalysts, a remarkably effective form of matter guiding desired chemical transformation, is a sheer joy to read. With the synthetic flair of Humphry Davy and the physical brilliance of his hero Faraday, we are led by the author to a feast of contemporary masterworks of chemical reactivity, prodded, by design, into the service of humanity. --Roald Hoffmann, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 1981

Catalysis is that crucial process that strongly increases the efficiency of chemical reactions in living organisms as well as in industry. It thus also greatly contributes to sustainability through conservation of resources and energy. Sir John Thomas, leader in the field, provides a perceptive view unifying the different areas from biology to sustainability. --Jean-Marie Lehn, Nobel Laureate, Chemistry, 1987, Honorary Professor, Collège du France

This beautifully written text by a world-leading expert in catalysis constitutes a succinct account of the new approaches that are required to meet the challenges posed by the need for clean technology and the sustainable use of natural resources. It is warmly recommended as a guide to both beginners and experts who wish to address the increasing necessity to pursue `green' chemistry. --Michel Che, President-Founder of European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EFCATS), Past President of International Association of Catalysis Societies (IACS)

This book provides a highly readable and wide-ranging overview of the fascinating landscape of contemporary catalysis.
--Martyn Poliakoff CBE FRS, Professor of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society

Understanding and controlling catalysis at the molecular level is one of the grand challenges of contemporary physical and biomolecular sciences. This excellent volume provides a uniquely comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art in this exciting and rapidly developing field, and profits from the unrivalled insight of the author into catalytic science. --Richard Catlow FRS, Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University College London

Chemical reactions are hugely important to society - chemists make things that people need through greener, cleaner and less energy-consuming processes. Catalysis is therefore now even more important. John Meurig Thomas is internationally recognised as the fount of all knowledge here, which is why his excellent treatise is so valuable. It is a jolly good read as well! --Sir John Cadogan FRS, former Director of Research, British Petroleum Co, first Director General, UK Research Councils

"The work is as expected rather eloquently written by a leader in the field and successfully attempts to summarize the huge volume of work published over the last decades." --Platinum Metals Review

This book is a special one in its range and depth of coverage, in the comprehensive survey it presents of the literature in the field and in the author's profound insight into the key scientific principles. The book is beautifully written and well and appropriately illustrated. It will provide not only an excellent introduction to graduate students and others wishing to enter the field, existing practitioners of catalytic science can also learn a great deal. Some monographs date rapidly but I expect this one to be a lasting contribution. It provides a definitive survey of a key theme in catalytic science, the importance of which will continue to grow. --ChemCatChem