SELECTIVITY IN CATALYSIS

Figure 12.18 Strategies for modifying selectivity in catalysis - the sphere represents the catalyst active site (e.g. metal centre).31...

Selectivity in catalysis / Mark E. Davis, editor, Steven L. Suib, editor. 

This review encompasses the general area of selectivity in catalysis as well as the four major specific areas discussed in this book Stereoselectivity Clusters, Alloys and Poisoning Shape Selectivity and Reaction Pathway Control. Examples are taken from the literature for each of these four areas of recent articles that focus on selectivity in catalytic reactions. Specific reviews of the four areas listed above can be found in the overview chapters by D. Forster and coworkers, K. J. Klabunde, M. E. Davis and coworkers and H. C. Foley and M. Klein. 

This review is an overview of recent literature research articles that deal with selectivity in catalysis. Four specific areas including stereoselectivity clusters, alloys and poisoning shape selectivity and reaction pathway control will be discussed. This review is not meant to be a complete discussion of these areas. It represents a small fraction of the research presently underway and a very minor fraction of the available literature in this subject. The order of topics will follow the four major areas oudined above, however, there is no particular order for the articles discussed in each section. 

Selectivity in catalysis is one of the most important factors to be controlled by researchers. Selectivity can be controlled in several ways such as by structural, chemical, electronic, compositional, kinetic and energy considerations. Certain factors may be more important in homogeneous catalytic reactions rather than heterogeneous reactions and vice versa. In most cases, however, little distinction will be made regarding the control of product selectivity for these two major types of catalysts. 

Such speculation suggests a tremendous potential for continued developments in the area of selectivity enhancement in catalysis. The remainder of this review focuses on current literature concerning selectivity in catalysis. 

The author acknowledges the support of the National Science Foundation under grant CBT 8814974 and the Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences for research in the area of selectivity in catalysis. 

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