Catalysis Science & Technology Blog

Lately, the use of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBG) carbonates and acetates in organocatalysis has grown exponentially opening new gates for the synthesis of C–C or C-heteroatom bonds in an enantioselective fashion and under mild conditions. This work provides access to many highly functionalized structures. In his recent Hot Perspective article, Ramon Rios covers these exciting reactions, paying special attention on the nature of the MBH adduct……

Organocatalytic enantioselective methodologies using Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates and acetates
A Perspective by Ramon Rios
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00387A

From the Haber process to discrete enzymatic reactions iron is an important element in catalytic chemistry. Up until recently, however, iron has been significantly under-utilised as a homogeneous catalyst in organic synthesis compared to other transition metals. Recently homogeneous iron-based catalysts have undergone much development with some notable breakthroughs. Muftah Darwish and Martin Wills have compiled a thorough review of these in their HOT Perspective “Asymmetric catalysis using iron complexes – ‘Ruthenium Lite’?”. If you’re looking to reduce ketones or imines, perform transfer hydrogenation or asymmetric hydrosilylation this review will bring you up to date on the latest and greatest capabilities of these advanced iron complexes.

Read the full article for free in Catalysis Science & Technology.

Asymmetric catalysis using iron complexes – ‘Ruthenium Lite’?
Muftah Darwish and Martin Wills
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00390A, Perspective

Catalytic uses of graphene and its composities have shown promising results.

In this Catalysis Science & Technology HOT Minireview Bruno Machado and Philippe Serp give a broad overview of topics relating to graphene and its application in synthesis and catalysis.  The outstanding physical, chemical and mechanical properties of graphene have attracted huge amounts of attention and Machaso and Serp attempt to distill out the properties and characterisation techniques of graphene that are pertinent to catalysis.

Read more for free until the 29th November 2011 at:

Graphene-based materials for catalysis
Bruno F. Machado and Philippe Serp
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00361E

Why not check-out some other articles published in Catalysis Science & Technology featuring graphene:

In situ green synthesis of Au nanostructures on graphene oxide and their application for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol
Yingwei Zhang, Sen Liu, Wenbo Lu, Lei Wang, Jingqi Tian and Xuping Sun
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 1142-1144
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00205H

Microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO–graphene composite for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI)
Xinjuan Liu, Likun Pan, Tian Lv, Ting Lu, Guang Zhu, Zhuo Sun and Changqing Sun
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 1189-1193
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00109D

Graphene support for enhanced electrocatalytic activity of Pd for alcohol oxidation
Ravindra Nath Singh and Rahul Awasthi
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011, 1, 778-783
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00021G

Over the past several years, there has been a growing interest in the capture of carbon dioxide emissions and either their permanent immobilization or chemical conversion to industrially relevant products. Though several processes have been developed to capture CO2, many of them are quite expensive since they require either ultra high purity CO2 or are energy intensive. Also, many purely chemical methods show low product selectivity.

This Perspective article, by William Mustain and co-workds, looks at ways in which electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and bioelectrochemical methods could be used for CO2 conversion. Electrochemical processes can reduce cost and increase reaction selectivity because they allow for direct control of the surface free energy.

Find out more about electrochemical solutions to the carbon capture problem in Mustain’s Hot Catalysis Science & Technology Perspective:

Recent progress in the electrochemical conversion and utilization of CO2
Neil S. Spinner, Jose A. Vega and William E. Mustain
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00314C

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