It is now IS years since the first patents in polymer supported metal complex catalysts were taken out. In the early days ion-exchange resins were used to support ionic metal complexes. Soon covalent links were developed, and after an initially slow start there was a period of explosive growth in the mid to late 1970s during which virtually every homogeneous metal complex catalyst ever reported was also studied bound to a support. Both polymers and inorganic oxides were studied as supports, although the great preponderance of workers studied polymeric supports, and of these polystyrene was by far the commonest used. This period served to show that by very careful design polymer-supported metal complex catalysts could have specific advantages over homogeneous metal complex catalysts. However the subject was a complicated one. Merely immobilising a successful metal complex catalyst to a functionalised support rarely yielded other than an inferior version of the catalyst. Amongst the many discouraging results of the 1970s, there were more than enough results that were sufficiently encouraging to demonstrate that, by careful design, supported metal complex catalysts could be prepared in which both the metal complex and the support combined together to produce an active catalyst which, due to the combination of support and complex, had advantages of activity, selectivity and specificity not found in homogeneous catalysts. Thus a new generation of catalysts was being developed.

Deals with a new and promising field developed during the last two decades on the boundary between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. This book presents general information on catalysis for a wide range of organic reactions, e.g., hydrogenation and oxidation reactions, and polymerization transformations. Special attention is paid to electro- and photochemical stimulation of catalytic processes in the presence of immobilized metal complexes. Other topics covered are the quantitative data on the comparison of catalyses by mobile and immobilized metal complexes; main factors affecting the activity of these catalytic systems and methods of optimizing their control; and specific problems of catalysis by fixed complexes (e.g., ligand exchange and electron transfer in metal polymer systems, macromolecular effects and polyfunctional catalysis).

Deals with a new and promising field developed during the last two decades on the boundary between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. This book presents general information on catalysis for a wide range of organic reactions, e.g., hydrogenation and oxidation reactions, and polymerization transformations. Special attention is paid to electro- and photochemical stimulation of catalytic processes in the presence of immobilized metal complexes. Other topics covered are the quantitative data on the comparison of catalyses by mobile and immobilized metal complexes; main factors affecting the activity of these catalytic systems and methods of optimizing their control; and specific problems of catalysis by fixed complexes (e.g., ligand exchange and electron transfer in metal polymer systems, macromolecular effects and polyfunctional catalysis).

The proceedings of the VIIth International Symposium on the Scientific Bases for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts, are in line with the general scope of this series of events. Emphasis in all Symposia has been on the scientific aspects of the preparation of new and industrial catalysts, or on new methods of preparation, rather than on the catalytic reactions in which such solids are ultimately used. In the present context, the catalytic event itself has only been considered as another, though often decisive, method of catalyst characterization.

The purpose of this Conference was to discuss the results of recent developments and the future prospect in science and technology of the field. The field has been growing and flourishing, while indicating many problems to be uncovered and solved. The conference was structured to encourage interaction and to stimulate the exchange of ideas to accomplish the above purpose.Key issues and materials related to the Conference were included as follows: • Molecular Assemblies in Solutions; • Fine Particles and Colloidal Dispersions; • Supramolecular Organized Films; • Nanostructural Solid Surfaces; • Industrial Applications and Products.The Conference comprised 2 plenary lectures, 42 invited lectures, 150 oral presentations and 266 poster presentations.

Because of their nanoporous structures and ultra-high surface areas Metal-Organic Framework Composites (MOFs) are very interesting materials. The book focusses on the following applications: gas capture and storage, especially molecular hydrogen storage; performance enhancement of Li-ion batteries; gas separation, nano-filtration, ionic sieving, water treatment, and catalysis; sustainable renewable energy resources, electrochemical capacitors, including supercapacitors, asymmetric supercapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors; biomedical disciplines including drug delivery, theranostics; biological detection and imaging; nanoparticle photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). Keywords: MOF Materials, Hydrogen Storage, Renewable Energy Applications, Lithium Batteries, MOF-Quantum Dots, Clean Energy, Nanoporous MOFs, Supercapacitors, Therapeutic Applications, Biosensing, Bioimaging, Phototherapy of Cancer, Gas Separation, Nano-filtration, Ionic Sieving, Water Treatment, Drug Delivery, Theranostics; Nanoparticle Photosensitizers, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Photothermal Therapy (PTT).

(Selected) -- Plenary Lecures: New Catalysts for Controlled/Living Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP; Catalysis and Applications of Gold Nanoparticles -- Oral Presentations: Ionic Liquids as New Solvents and Catalysis for Petrochemical and Refining Processes; High Throughput Experiment on the Investigation of Oxidation Catalysts with Gas Sensor System -- Poster Presentations: Development of a Low-Temperature Dioxin Decomposition Catalyst; Studies on Unique Properties of Polyolefins Prepared with Metallocene Catalyst Systems -- Index.