An Introduction to Catalysis

Catalysis contributes to roughly one third of the global economy. Beyond this, catalysis has a central role in all of our lives, from various sectors ranging from food to energy. This course will consider a broad range of topics within catalysis, with a strong focus on heterogeneous catalysis within the energy sector. Initially, a brief overview of the key forms of catalysis will be considered, including: • Heterogeneous catalysis • Combustion • Nitrogen Fixation • Hydrogenation • Homogeneous catalysis • Shell Higher Olefin Process • Ziegler-Natta Catalyst • A brief overview of electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, biocatalysis, and organocatalysis • Water splitting with electrocatalysis and photocatalysis • Cytochrome P450 • Asymmetric Catalysis • Catalysis within organic synthesis • Heck Reaction and beyond • Enantioselective/Stereoselective synthesis through ligand tuning This course breadth will allow for a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different catalytic methods. With heterogeneous catalysis being the most widely utilised form of catalysis in industry, several key concepts in the field will be considered: • Kinetics and thermodynamics of surface reactions • Surface coverage • Volcano plots • Scaling relationships • Defining the active site • Catalyst deactivation • Chemical Engineering: Industrial viability and environmental sustainability