Zeolites, clays and heteropoly acid are unique materials with remarkable catalytic properties. Their characteristic features have enabled chemists to develop novel synthetic methods, which hold promise of new frontiers in synthetic and industrial organic chemistry. Written by leading experts on petrochemistry, catalysis, and organic synthesis, this book describes novel synthetic applications and reaction-promoting functions of zeolites, clays and heteropoly acid. Emphasis is put on the excellent catalytic performance of these materials in various organic reactions. Research chemists, process engineers and graduate students interested in new catalyst materials will value this book as an indispensable guide to the uses of zeolites, clay and heteropoly acid in organic synthesis.

The book provides insight into the working of clays and clay minerals in speeding up a variety of organic reactions. Clay minerals are known to have a large propensity for taking up organic molecules and can catalyse numerous organic reactions due to fine particle size, extensive surface area, layer structure, and peculiar charge characteristics. They can be used as heterogeneous catalysts and catalyst carriers of organic reactions because they are non-corrosive, easy to separate from the reaction mixture, and reusable. Clays and clay minerals have an advantage over other solid acids as they are abundant, inexpensive, and non-polluting.

This work presents a compilation of technical papers and poster synopses delivered at the 14th Conference on Catalysis of Organic Reactions. The book investigates current developments in the study of catalysis as it relates to organic synthesis, detailing industrial applications. It suggests cost-effective routes for the synthesis of valuable industrial and pharmaceutical chemicals.

This indispensable two-volume handbook covers everything on this hot research field. The first part deals with the synthesis, modification, characterization and application of catalytic active zeolites, while the second focuses on such reaction types as cracking, hydrocracking, isomerization, reforming and other industrially important topics. Edited by a highly experienced and internationally renowned team with chapters written by the "Who's Who" of zeolite research.

Zeolites occur in nature and have been known for almost 250 years as alumino silicate minerals. Examples are clinoptilolite, mordenite, offretite, ferrierite, erionite and chabazite. Today, most of these and many other zeolites are of great interest in heterogeneous catalysis, yet their naturally occurring forms are of limited value as catalysts because nature has not optimized their properties for catalytic applications and the naturally occurring zeolites almost always contain undesired impurity phases. It was only with the advent of synthetic zeolites in the period from about 1948 to 1959 (thanks to the pioneering work of R. M. Barrer and R. M. Milton) that this class of porous materials began to playa role in catalysis. A landmark event was the introduction of synthetic faujasites (zeolite X at first, zeolite Y slightly later) as catalysts in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) of heavy petroleum distillates in 1962, one of the most important chemical processes with a worldwide capacity of the order of 500 million t/a. Compared to the previously used amorphous silica-alumina catalysts, the zeolites were not only orders of magnitude more active, which enabled drastic process engineering improvements to be made, but they also brought about a significant increase in the yield of the target product, viz. motor gasoline. With the huge FCC capacity worldwide, the added value of this yield enhancement is of the order of 10 billion US $ per year.