Catalytic processes, mechanisms

Dual Function Catalytic Processes. Dual-function catalytic processes use an acidic oxide support, such as alumina, loaded with a metal such as Pt to isomerize the xylenes as weH as convert EB to xylenes. These catalysts promote carbonium ion-type reactions as weH as hydrogenation—dehydrogenation. In the mechanism for the conversion of EB to xylenes shown, EB is converted to xylenes... 

A fermentation route to 1-butanol based on carbon monoxide employing the anaerobic bacterium, Butyribacterium methjlotrophicum has been reported (14,15). In contrast to other commercial catalytic processes for converting synthesis gas to alcohols, the new process is insensitive to sulfur contaminants. Current productivities to butanol are 1 g/L, about 10% of that required for commercial viabiUty. Researchers hope to learn enough about the bacteria s control mechanisms to be able to use recombinant DNA to make the cells produce more butanol. 

A catalyst is defined as a substance that influences the rate or the direction of a chemical reaction without being consumed. Homogeneous catalytic processes are where the catalyst is dissolved in a liquid reaction medium. The varieties of chemical species that may act as homogeneous catalysts include anions, cations, neutral species, enzymes, and association complexes. In acid-base catalysis, one step in the reaction mechanism consists of a proton transfer between the catalyst and the substrate. The protonated reactant species or intermediate further reacts with either another species in the solution or by a decomposition process. Table 1-1 shows typical reactions of an acid-base catalysis. An example of an acid-base catalysis in solution is hydrolysis of esters by acids. 

Books by Bruice and Benkovic/ Jencks, and Bendei are rich sources of examples of catalytic processes and their mechanisms. 

Cu and Ag on Si(lll) surfaces. In the last example, we come back to surfaces. It is well known (44-46) that Cu catalyzes the formation of dimethyl-dichlorosilane from methylchloride and solid silicon, which is a crucial technological step in the synthesis of silicone polymers. Even today, the details of the catalytic mechanism are unclear. Cu appears to have unique properties for example, the congener Ag shows no catalytic activity. Thus, the investigation of the differences between Cu and Ag on Si surfaces can help in understanding the catalytic process. Furthermore, the bonding of noble metal atoms to Si surfaces is of great importance in the physics and chemistry of electronic devices. 

In the case of selective oxidation catalysis, the use of spectroscopy has provided critical Information about surface and solid state mechanisms. As Is well known( ), some of the most effective catalysts for selective oxidation of olefins are those based on bismuth molybdates. The Industrial significance of these catalysts stems from their unique ability to oxidize propylene and ammonia to acrylonitrile at high selectivity. Several key features of the surface mechanism of this catalytic process have recently been descrlbed(3-A). However, an understanding of the solid state transformations which occur on the catalyst surface or within the catalyst bulk under reaction conditions can only be deduced Indirectly by traditional probe molecule approaches. Direct Insights Into catalyst dynamics require the use of techniques which can probe the solid directly, preferably under reaction conditions. We have, therefore, examined several catalytlcally Important surface and solid state processes of bismuth molybdate based catalysts using multiple spectroscopic techniques Including Raman and Infrared spectroscopies, x-ray and neutron diffraction, and photoelectron spectroscopy. 

Transient reactors, such as pulse (chromatographic) reactors, temporary analysis of products (TAP) reactors, multitrack reactors, and temperature-programmed reactors have been developed mainly to study gas-solid (catalyst) reactions. These are rather sophisticated techniques used to study mechanisms of catalytic processes at the molecular level in great detail. Since this is rarely done in the development of processes for the manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, these reactors are not discussed further. The interested reader is referred to works by Anderson and Pratt (1985) and Kapteijn and Moulijn (1997). 

Abstract Significant advances have been made in the study of catalytic reductive coupling of alkenes and alkynes over the past 10 years. This work will discuss the progress made in early transition metal and lanthanide series catalytic processes using alkyl metals or silanes as the stoichiometric reductants and the progress made in the use of late transition metals for the same reactions using silanes, stannanes and borohydrides as the reductant. The mechanisms for the reactions are discussed along with stereoselective variants of the reactions. 

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