This book highlights the recent advances and state of the art in the use of functionalized nanostructured environments on catalysis. Nanoconfinements considered include well-defined molecular cages, imprinted self-assembled supramolecules, polymers made by living or controlled polymerization, metallorganic frameworks, carbon nanotubes, mesoporous inorganic solids, and hybrids thereof. Advantages of nanoconfinement of catalysts discussed include higher activities, improved selectivities, catalyst stabilization, cooperativity effects, simplified protocols for cascade syntheses, better catalyst recovery, and recyclability. The multiple applications that these materials offer are revolutionizing industrial sectors such as energy, electronics, sensors, biomedicine, and separation technology.

The objective of this study is to improve our understanding of the effect of active site environment in heterogeneous catalysis by synthesizing and probing the properties of nanostructures that would define the environment around an active site and could be modified according to design. In this investigation, the unique properties that stem from the constrained environment and enforced proximity of functional groups at the active site were demonstrated for a number of systems. The first system is a nanocage structure with silicon-based, atom-thick shells and molecular-size cavities. The shell imparts the expected size exclusion for access to the interior cavity, and the confined space together with the hydrophobic shell strongly influences the stability of charged groups. One consequence is that the interior amine groups in a siloxane nanocage exhibit a shift in their protonation ability that is equivalent to about 4 pH units. In another nanocage structure designed to possess a core-shell structure in which the core periphery is decorated with carboxylic acid groups and the shell interior is populated with silanol groups, the restricted motion of the core results in limiting the stoichiometry of reaction between carboxylic acid and a Co2CO8 complex, which leads to formation and stabilization of Co(I) ions in the nanocage. The second designed catalytic structure is a supported, isolated, Lewis acid Sn-oxide unit derived from a (POSS)-Sn-(POSS) molecular complex (POSS = incompletely condensed silsesquioxane). The Sn center in the (POSS)-Sn-(POSS) complex is present in a tetrahedral coordination, as confirmed by single crystal x-ray crystallography and Sn NMR, and its Lewis acid character is demonstrated with its binding to amines. The retention of the tetrahedral coordination of Sn after heterogenization and mild oxidative treatment is confirmed by characterization using EXAFS, NMR, UV-vis, and DRIFT, and its Lewis acid character is confirmed by stoichiometric binding with pyridine. This Sn-catalyst is active in hydride transfer reactions as a typical solid Lewis acid. In addition, the Sn centers can also create Brønsted acidity with alcohol by binding the alcohol strongly as alkoxide and transferring the hydroxyl H to the neighboring Sn-O-Si bond. The resulting acidic silanol is active in epoxide ring opening and acetalization reactions. The open structure of the Sn center makes it accessible to larger molecules, including cellobiose which can be converted to 5-(hydroxymethyl)-furfural. The third structure is a support planted with functional group pairing of a known separation distance. Using a precursor molecule that contains a hydrolysable silyl ester bond, and making use of known chemistry to convert silanol groups into amino/pyridyl and phosphinyl groups, silica surfaces with carboxylic acid/silanol, carboxylic acid/amine, carboxylic acid/pyridine, and carboxylic acid/phosphine pairs can be constructed. The amino groups paired with carboxylic acid on such a surface is more active in the Henry reaction of 4-nitobenzaldehyde with nitromethane.

This book presents both the fundamentals concepts and latest achievements of a field that is growing in importance since it represents a possible solution for global energy problems. It focuses on an atomic-level understanding of heterogeneous catalysis involved in important energy conversion processes. It presents a concise picture for the entire area of heterogeneous catalysis with vision at the atomic- and nano- scales, from synthesis, ex-situ and in-situ characterization, catalytic activity and selectivity, to mechanistic understanding based on experimental exploration and theoretical simulation. The book: Addresses heterogeneous catalysis, one of the crucial technologies employed within the chemical and energy industries Presents the recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of nanocatalysts as well as a mechanistic understanding of catalysis at atomic level for important processes of energy conversion Provides a foundation for the potential design of revolutionarily new technical catalysts and thus the further development of efficient technologies for the global energy economy Includes both theoretical studies and experimental exploration Is useful as both a textbook for graduate and undergraduate students and a reference book for scientists and engineers in chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering

This book is mainly based on the first and second symposia on Nanotechnology in Catalysis held in 2001 and 2002, but it also includes several contributions not presented in the symposia to round out the scope of the subject. The contents are the most up to date developments made by researchers all over the world in the catalysis field in this fascinating nanotechnology era. It reflects some of the frontier areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology in fabricating and characterizing catalysts and carrying out studies to prove their superior selectivity and activity. The field of application of nanotechnology for the development of catalysts for green chemistry is likely to grow rapidly during the next decade. This book hopes to contribute to the evolution of nanotechnology in that direction.

Nanoparticles in Catalysis Discover an essential overview of recent advances and trends in nanoparticle catalysis Catalysis in the presence of metal nanoparticles is an important and rapidly developing research field at the frontier of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. In Nanoparticles in Catalysis, accomplished chemists and authors Karine Philippot and Alain Roucoux deliver a comprehensive guide to the key aspects of nanoparticle catalysis, ranging from synthesis, activation methodology, characterization, and theoretical modeling, to application in important catalytic reactions, like hydrogen production and biomass conversion. The book offers readers a review of modern and efficient tools for the synthesis of nanoparticles in solution or onto supports. It emphasizes the application of metal nanoparticles in important catalytic reactions and includes chapters on activation methodology and supported nanoclusters. Written by an international team of leading voices in the field, Nanoparticles in Catalysis is an indispensable resource for researchers and professionals in academia and industry alike. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to New Trends in the Design of Metal Nanoparticles and Derived Nanomaterials for Catalysis An exploration of Dynamic Catalysis and the Interface Between Molecular and Heterogeneous Catalysts A practical discussion of Metal Nanoparticles in Water: A Relevant Toolbox for Green Catalysis Organometallic Metal Nanoparticles for Catalysis A concise treatment of the opportunities and challenges of CO2 Hydrogenation to Oxygenated Chemicals Over Supported Nanoparticle Catalysts Perfect for catalytic, organic, inorganic, and physical chemists, Nanoparticles in Catalysis will also earn a place in the libraries of chemists working with organometallics and materials scientists seeking a one-stop resource with expert knowledge on the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticle catalysis.

Supramolecular Catalysis Provides a timely and detailed overview of the expanding field of supramolecular catalysis The subdiscpline of supramolecular catalysis has expanded in recent years, benefiting from the development of homogeneous catalysis and supramolecular chemistry. Supramolecular catalysis allows chemists to design custom-tailored metal and organic catalysts by devising non-covalent interactions between the various components of the reaction. Edited by two world-renowned researchers, Supramolecular Catalysis: New Directions and Developments summarizes the most significant developments in the dynamic, interdisciplinary field. Contributions from an international panel of more than forty experts address a broad range of topics covering both organic and metal catalysts, including emergent catalysis by self-replicating molecules, switchable catalysis using allosteric effects, supramolecular helical catalysts, and transition metal catalysis in confined spaces. This authoritative and up-to-date volume: Covers ligand-ligand interactions, assembled multi-component catalysts, ligand-substrate interactions, and supramolecular organocatalysis and non-classical interactions Presents recent work on supramolecular catalysis in water, supramolecular allosteric catalysis, and catalysis promoted by discrete cages, capsules, and other confined environments Highlights current research trends and discusses the future of supramolecular catalysis Includes full references and numerous figures, tables, and color illustrations Supramolecular Catalysis: New Directions and Developments is essential reading for catalytic chemists, complex chemists, biochemists, polymer chemists, spectroscopists, and chemists working with organometallics.

This volume continues the tradition formed in Nanotechnology in Catalysis 1 and 2. As with those books, this one is based upon an ACS symposium. Some of the most illustrious names in heterogeneous catalysis are among the contributors. The book covers: Design, synthesis, and control of catalysts at nanoscale; understanding of catalytic reaction at nanometer scale; characterization of nanomaterials as catalysts; nanoparticle metal or metal oxides catalysts; nanomaterials as catalyst supports; new catalytic applications of nanomaterials.