Catalysis in CO reactions: A homogeneous catalyst chemist's view of heterogeneous catalysis

Conference · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6436889

Wender, I

Organic and inorganic chemists study homogeneous catalysis while physical chemists, surface physicists and chemical engineers turn to heterogeneous catalysis. There is a continuum from simple metal complexes through metal clusters to surface catalysis. Terminology used by each group differs enough so that homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst people find it difficult to communicate. It is relevant as to whether metals react by associative mechanisms in which the metal increases its coordination number (''oxidative-addition'') or whether they react by dissociative mechanisms in which vacant sites are created (''reductive-elimination''). It is relatively easy to discover new soluble catalysts whose structures can be elucidated. Mechanisms involved in homogeneous catalysis, involving CO, can usually be carried out using conventional techniques. In heterogeneous catalysis, it is difficult even to reproduce the catalyst or to gain insights into reaction mechanisms. Homogeneous catalysis of CO reactions have provided evidence for species that might exist on heterogeneous surfaces. In turn, heterogeneous catalytic studies have forced homogeneous investigators to attempt to verify the existence of surface species that might help explain certain heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Modern techniques of surface science should result in better communication. This paper endeavors to compare views from the different vantage points.

• Research Organization: Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Dept., Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA
• OSTI ID: 6436889
• Report Number(s): CONF-820304-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Pet. Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Journal Volume: 27:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSIS
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
HETEROGENEOUS EFFECTS
KINETICS
METALLURGY
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL METALLURGY
REACTION KINETICS
SURFACE PROPERTIES