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Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous Catalysis

Heterogeneous catalysis involves a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants. It is a process where the catalyst and the reactants are in distinct phases, typically solid and gas or liquid.Most heterogeneous catalysts are metals, metal oxides, or acids. The list includes transition metals like iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), tungsten (W), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). These metals possess partially vacant d orbitals that...

Catalysis

Catalysis

The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.

Catalysis

Catalysis

Catalysis influences the rate of chemical reactions by providing an alternative reaction pathway with lower activation energy. A catalyst speeds up a reaction, but it is not consumed during the process. The fundamental principle of catalysis is the ability of a catalyst to alter the reaction mechanism, often introducing a more efficient pathway than the uncatalyzed process.In a catalyzed reaction, the catalyst participates directly in the reaction mechanism. It interacts with reactants to form...

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Introduction
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Continuous Flow Chemistry: Reaction of Diphenyldiazomethane with p-Nitrobenzoic Acid

Continuous Flow Chemistry: Reaction of Diphenyldiazomethane with p-Nitrobenzoic Acid

Published on: November 15, 2017

Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reactions in continuous-flow reactors.

Muhammad Irfan¹, Toma N Glasnov, C Oliver Kappe

¹Christian Doppler Laboratory for Microwave Chemistry and Institute of Chemistry, Karl Franzens University Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, 8010 Graz, Austria.

|February 22, 2011

Summary

Continuous flow heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation offers greener and more economical organic synthesis. This review details recent advances in flow hydrogenation techniques, catalysts, and lab-scale applications.

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Continuous Flow Chemistry: Reaction of Diphenyldiazomethane with p-Nitrobenzoic Acid

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Area of Science:

Organic synthesis
Chemical engineering
Catalysis

Background:

Microreactor technology and continuous flow processing enhance the economy and environmental friendliness of organic synthesis.
Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation in flow conditions provides benefits over batch processes due to unique gas-liquid-solid triphasic reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize recent developments in continuous flow heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation using molecular hydrogen.
To present available flow hydrogenation techniques, reactors, catalysts, and synthetic applications, focusing on laboratory-scale reactions.

Main Methods:

Review of recent literature on continuous flow heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation.
Analysis of different flow hydrogenation techniques and reactor designs.
Compilation of commonly used catalysts and their applications.

Main Results:

Continuous flow hydrogenation offers advantages in efficiency and safety for various organic transformations.
Diverse catalysts and reactor setups are available for laboratory-scale flow hydrogenation.
Numerous synthetic applications demonstrate the utility of this technology.

Conclusions:

Continuous flow heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation is a key technology for sustainable organic synthesis.
Further development in flow techniques and catalysts will expand its applicability.
Laboratory-scale flow hydrogenation is a practical and beneficial approach for chemists.