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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: 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 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...

Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis

Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis

In ozonolysis, ozone is used to cleave a carbon–carbon double bond to form aldehydes and ketones, or carboxylic acids, depending on the work-up.
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.

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.

Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols

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Activated manganese(IV) oxide can selectively oxidize allylic and benzylic alcohols via a radical intermediate mechanism. Primary allylic alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes, while secondary allylic alcohols yield ketones. The redox reaction of potassium permanganate with an Mn(II) salt such as manganese sulfate (under either alkaline or acidic conditions), followed by thorough drying, yields the oxidizing agent: activated MnO2. While MnO2 is insoluble in the solvents used for the reaction, the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Temperature-programmed Deoxygenation of Acetic Acid on Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts

Temperature-programmed Deoxygenation of Acetic Acid on Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts

Published on: February 7, 2017

Single Atom Catalysts for Selective Methane Oxidation to Oxygenates.

Pawan Kumar¹, Tareq A Al-Attas¹, Jinguang Hu¹

¹Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.

|May 31, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Single atom catalysts (SACs) offer a promising route for converting methane to valuable liquid oxygenates. These catalysts enable selective methane oxidation under mild conditions, minimizing unwanted carbon dioxide production.

Keywords:

C−H activation biomimetics density functional theory calculations greenhouse gas reduction metal−support interaction methane conversion photocatalysis single atom catalysts small molecules activation two-dimensional materials

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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

Area of Science:

Catalysis
Materials Science
Chemical Engineering

Background:

Direct conversion of methane (CH4) to C1-2 liquid oxygenates is crucial for carbon capture and chemical production.
Current methods like steam methane reforming and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are energy-intensive and costly.
Selective methane oxidation is challenging due to methane's low reactivity and tendency for overoxidation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in single atom catalysts (SACs) for selective methane oxidation.
To discuss the role of catalyst design, metal-support interactions, and intermediate stabilization.
To highlight strategies for minimizing overoxidation and enhancing carbon efficiency.

Main Methods:

Review of literature on single atom catalysts for methane oxidation.
Analysis of catalytic site chemistry and metal-support interactions.
Discussion of reaction mechanisms and stabilization of intermediates.

Main Results:

SACs demonstrate enhanced reactivity and selectivity for methane oxidation to C1-2 oxygenates.
Optimized metal-support interactions stabilize intermediates and prevent overoxidation.
SACs facilitate C-H bond activation at lower temperatures, improving efficiency.

Conclusions:

SACs represent a significant breakthrough in selective methane oxidation.
Tailoring catalyst properties is key to achieving high yields of desired oxygenates.
Further research into SACs holds promise for sustainable chemical production and carbon utilization.