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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...

Metallic Solids

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....

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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Updated: Dec 1, 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

Single-atom alloy catalysts: structural analysis, electronic properties and catalytic activities.

Tianjun Zhang¹, Andrew G Walsh, Jihong Yu

¹Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, 6274 Coburg Road, B3H 4R2, Halifax, Canada. peng.zhang@dal.ca.

Chemical Society Reviews

|November 10, 2020

Summary

Single-atom alloy catalysts offer enhanced properties and cost-effectiveness by dispersing single metal atoms within an alloy. This review explores their structural analysis, electronic properties, and catalytic activities for future advancements.

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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

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

Published on: December 6, 2021

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Nanotechnology

Background:

Monometallic catalysts, especially noble metals, are costly and limited in tunability for heterogeneous catalysis.
Alloy catalysts offer improved electronic/chemical properties and reduced costs compared to monometallic ones.
Single-atom catalysts enhance atomic efficiency and property tailoring but lack alloy benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the advancements in single-atom alloy (SAA) catalysts, combining alloy and single-atom advantages.
To discuss structural analysis, electronic properties, and catalytic applications of SAAs.
To propose future research directions for SAAs.

Main Methods:

Atomic scale structural analysis using high-angle annular dark field imaging-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy.
Investigation of electronic properties via X-ray spectroscopy and quantum calculations.
Evaluation of catalytic activities in representative reactions to establish structure-property relationships.

Main Results:

SAAs integrate the benefits of alloy catalysts with the tunable properties of single-atom catalysts.
Microscopy and spectroscopy techniques enable detailed atomic-scale structural characterization of SAAs.
Electronic properties and catalytic activities are linked to the unique structure of SAAs.

Conclusions:

SAAs represent a promising class of catalysts with tunable structures and enhanced properties.
Further research into structural, electronic, and reactivity aspects will unlock their full potential.
SAAs offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative for various catalytic applications.