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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.

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...

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.

Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation

Unlike the easy catalytic hydrogenation of an alkene double bond, hydrogenation of a benzene double bond under similar reaction conditions does not take place easily. For example, in the reduction of stilbene, the benzene ring remains unaffected while the alkene bond gets reduced. Hydrogenation of an alkene double bond is exothermic and a favorable process. In contrast, to hydrogenate the first unsaturated bond of benzene, an energy input is needed; that is, the process is endothermic. This is...

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Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

Solid Nanoporosity Governs Catalytic CO₂ and N₂ Reduction.

Fizza Naseem^1,2, Peilong Lu¹, Jianping Zeng^1,3

¹Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

|June 17, 2020

Summary

Porosity engineering in catalysts boosts efficiency for crucial energy reactions like carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) reduction. This review explores methods and impacts for cleaner energy solutions.

Keywords:

2D materials CO2 reduction N2 reduction catalysis energy conversion nanoporosity pore size surface area

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Last Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

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Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production

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Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation

Published on: July 18, 2017

Area of Science:

Catalysis
Materials Science
Green Chemistry

Background:

Growing global demand for clean energy necessitates alternatives to fossil fuels.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) reduction are vital for mitigating climate change and producing fertilizers.
Existing catalytic materials require enhanced efficiency for these critical redox reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review porosity engineering in catalytic materials for CO2 and N2 reduction.
To discuss synthesis methods, characterization techniques, and performance impacts of porosity.
To provide insights for rational design of advanced catalysts.

Main Methods:

Literature review of porosity engineering strategies in catalysis.
Analysis of synthesis and characterization methods for porous materials.
Evaluation of porosity's effect on CO2 and N2 reduction efficiency and selectivity.

Main Results:

Porosity engineering significantly enhances catalytic activity, with over 40% efficiency increase for CO2 reduction.
Tailoring porous structures improves the number of active sites and reaction selectivity.
Specific pore structures offer advantages for redox reaction pathways.

Conclusions:

Porosity engineering is a key strategy for developing high-performance catalysts for CO2 and N2 reduction.
Understanding structure-performance relationships is crucial for designing next-generation catalysts.
This review provides a foundation for future advancements in sustainable energy technologies.