Catalysis/catalysts research opportunities

The above achievements depend highly on both the recent advances in rational catalyst design with the aid of computational science represented by DFT calculations and the wide range of catalyst design possibilities that are afforded by FI catalysts. These possibilities are derived from the readily varied steric and electronic properties of the phenoxy-imine ligands. It is expected that future research on FI catalysts will provide opportunities to produce additional polyolefin-based materials with unique microstructures and a chance to study catalysis and mechanisms for olefin polymerization. 

Surface science offers many opportunities in catalysis research because a variety of techniques are available to characterize in detail the composition and structure of the catalyst surface and to identify the adsorbed species. A frequent criticism of the surface science approach is that it is far removed from real catalysis since most of the surface science techniques can only be applied at low pressures and with model catalysts, often single-crystal surfaces. The so-called pressure gap has been bridged by combining, in the same apparatus, the techniques needed for surface analysis and characterization with the ability to measure reaction rates at elevated pressures. In addition, many techniques can also be apphed in situ at elevated pressures. 

PTC is now an established branch of catalysis, and applications for it are found in the laboratory as well as in large-scale processes. The design of PTC systems able to work in the absence of common volatile organic solvents is a promising field of research that deserves investigation in order to better understand manifold factors (solubility of the catalyst, formation of new phases, influence of the reactants on the physical state of the bulk fluid, etc.) that could influence the outcome of the reaction. However, as shown by the examples discussed here, the combined utilization of PTC and nontraditional reaction media affords new opportunities for improving numerous chemical processes while reducing emissions to the environment. 

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