Materials, Advanced Design
&
Manufacturing
94
2.6
Catalysis
Keywords
Kinetics, homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous
catalysis, hydrogenation, acid catalysis, carbonylation,
C-C bond formation, asymmetric catalysis, green
chemistry; renewable starter materials
Expertise
By facilitating chemical reactions without themselves being
consumed, catalysts are the key to advanced chemical,
pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturing, and
to energy production and conversion. They are one of the
most important tools in enabling sustainable development.
The University of Liverpool has expertise in designing and
developing innovative catalysts and catalytic processes.
Our strength lies in the field of homogeneous catalysis,
but we also have expertise in heterogeneous catalysis,
enzymatic catalysis and catalytic mechanisms.
Homogeneous catalysis
The University is particularly experienced in hydro-
genation, oxidation, acid catalysis, C-C bond formation,
carbonylation, asymmetric catalysis, tools for enabling
green chemistry and mechanistic studies by nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR).
We are actively searching for chemical manufacturing
solutions from renewable resources such as biomass,
water, syngas and carbon dioxide, and use cheaper,
nontoxic catalysts such as iron.
Heterogeneous catalysis
Our work focuses on the development of new, highly
efficient solid catalysts based on polyoxometalates, mixed
oxides, layered hydroxides and other new functionalised
materials. We are investigating the use of these novel
catalysts in the conversion of renewable feedstock and
biomass-derived platform molecules to value-added
chemicals and fuels.
Priority is given to multifunctional catalysts which
contain two or more catalytic functions and able to
catalyse multistep reactions in one pot (ie one catalyst
bed) without separating intermediate products with high
atom and energy efficiency.
Capabilities and facilities
•
High pressure NMR gas flow cells and bubble
column NMR reactors
•
Equipment for routine catalytic reactions
including gas chromatography, GCMS, HPLC,
reaction stations and high pressure reactors.
Also see:
Energy & Sustainability –
1.2
Photosynthesis and biofuels,
page 70
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
