Soluble catalysts are used extensively in many branches of chemistry and are indeed a vital constituent of many natural processes. They find wide application throughout the chemical industry where they assist in the production of several million tonnes of chemicals each year. Since homogeneous systems, especially those incorporating transition metals, often function effectively under milder conditions than their heterogeneous counterparts, they are becoming increasingly important at a time when the chemical industry in particular, and society in general, is seeking ways of conserving energy and of making the best possible use of available resources. My principal objective in- writing this book is to engender sufficient enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the subject in the reader that he or she will be encouraged to begin, or continue, to make their own contribution to advancing our knowledge of homogeneous catalysis. After attempting to acquaint the reader with some of the ground rules I have tried to describe the present scope, and the future potential, of this fascinating field of chemistry by drawing both on academic and on industrial data sources. This approach stems from a personal conviction that future progress could be considerably hastened by a more meaningful dialogue between chemists working both in industrial and in academic research institutions. Wherever possible, examples of the commercial application of homogeneous catalyst systems have been included and no attempt has been made in any way to disguise the many unresolved questions and exciting challenges which still pervade this rapidly developing area.

Soluble catalysts are used extensively in many branches of chemistry and are indeed a vital constituent of many natural processes. They find wide application throughout the chemical industry where they assist in the production of several million tonnes of chemicals each year. Since homogeneous systems, especially those incorporating transition metals, often function effectively under milder conditions than their heterogeneous counterparts, they are becoming increasingly important at a time when the chemical industry in particular, and society in general, is seeking ways of conserving energy and of making the best possible use of available resources. My principal objective in· writing this book is to engender sufficient enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, the subject in the reader that he or she will be encouraged to begin, or continue, to make their own contribution to advancing our knowledge of homogeneous catalysis. After attempting to acquaint the reader with some of the ground rules I have tried to describe the .present scope, and the future potential, of this fascinating field of chemistry by drawing both on academic and on industrial data sources. This approach stems from a personal conviction that future progress could be considerably hastened by a more meaningful dialogue between chemists working both in industrial and in academic research institutions. Wherever possible, examples of the commercial application of homogeneous catalyst systems have been included and no attempt has been made in any way to disguise the many unresolved questions and exciting challenges which still pervade this rapidly developing area.

Catalysts are now widely used in both laboratory and industrial-scale chemistry. Indeed, it is hard to find any complex synthesis or industrial process that does not, at some stage, utilize a catalytic reaction. The development of homogeneous transition metal catalysts on the laboratory scale has demonstrated that these systems can be far superior to the equivalent heterogeneous systems, at least in terms of selectivity. is an increasing interest in this field of research from both an Thus, there academic and industrial point of view. In connection with the rapid developments in this area, four universities from the E.E.C (Aachen, FRG; Liege, Belgium; Milan, Italy; and Lille, France) have collaborated to organise a series of seminars for high-level students and researchers. These meetings have been sponsored by the Commission of the E.E.C and state organizations. The most recent of these meetings was held in Lille in September 1985 and this book contains updated and expanded presentations of most of the lectures given there. These lectures are concerned with the field of homogeneous transition metal catalysis and its application to the synthesis of organic intermediates and fine chemicals from an academic and industrial viewpoint. The continuing petroleum crisis which began in the early 1970s has given rise to the need to develop new feedstocks for the chemical industry.

Contains a balanced discussion of homogeneous catalytic reactions that are used in industry, featuring every documented example employed in a current commercial process, or that have a broad application in the organic synthesis laboratory. Incorporates synthesis with chiral catalysts in chapters on hydrogenation, CO chemistry and olefin oxidation. New additions include Tennessee Eastman's coal-based acetic anhydride plant and IFP's Dimersol process for dimerizing propylene as well as major changes in the areas on pharmaceuticals, flavors, fragrances, agricultural and electronic chemicals.

The field of transition metal catalysis has experienced incredible growth during the past decade. The reasons for this are obvious when one considers the world's energy problems and the need for new and less energy demanding syntheses of important chemicals. Heterogeneous catalysis has played a major industrial role; however, such reactions are generally not selective and are exceedingly difficult to study. Homogeneous catalysis suffers from on-site engineering difficulties; however, such reactions usually provide the desired selectivity. For example, Monsanto's synthesis of optically-active amino acids employs a chiral homogeneous rhodium diphosphine catalyst. Industrial uses of homogeneous catalyst systems are increasing. It is not by accident that many homogeneous catalysts contain tertiary phosphine ligands. These ligands possess the correct steric and electronic properties that are necessary for catalytic reactivity and selectivity. This point will be emphasized throughout the book. Thus the stage is set for a comprehensive be treatment of the many ways in which phosphine catalyst systems can designed, synthesized, and studied.

The broadening technical advances in the production of pharmaceuticals, flavors, and fragrances have more than doubled the industrial applications of soluble transition metal catalysts. Indeed, transition metal catalysts have become an ascendant feature of a heightened academic interest in organometallic chemistry. This Second Edition of the landmark text offers a clear, systematic look at the state-of-the-science of homogeneous catalytic reactions. Focusing on specific processes, rather than principles of coordination or organometallic chemistry, this updated edition is an A-to-Z compilation of the homogeneous catalytic reactions commonly used in industry or that have broad application in the organic synthesis laboratory. Documenting examples of homogeneous catalytic reactions used in current commercial processes, this newest edition features Tennessee Eastman's coal-based acetic anhydride plant and IFP's Dimersol processes for dimerizing propylene as well as Du Pont's hydrocyanation process. Detailed coverage also includes isomerization of simple olefins, mechanism of olefin hydrogenation, oligomerization of olefins, chain transfer catalysis, reactions of carbon monoxide, specialty chemicals, reactions of acetylenes, esterification, polycondensation, and related processes. Featuring the latest findings in its existing coverage on pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, flavors, fragrances, and electronic chemicals, this Second Edition clearly details the science's growing influence and practicality in industry and the lab. Organic and inorganic chemists, instructors, and students will find Homogeneous Catalysis, Second Edition a clear, up-to-date compendium of the catalytic reactionssharpening chemistry's cutting edge.

Organo-Transition Metal Compounds and Related Aspects of Homogeneous Catalysis covers compounds that possess carbon atoms bonded to metal and to other carbon atoms. The order in which the substances appear in the book is based on the number of carbon atoms it have. The first section is about the alkyl, aryl, ethynyl, acyl, and carbene complexes. The second section deals with olefin and chelating diolefin complexes and complexes formed from acetylene. The following section covers the p-allylic complexes. The structures, stability, and bonding of alkyl and aryl complexes are fully covered. The magnetic moments and electronic spectra are discussed in detail.The fourth section discusses the conjugated diolefinic complexes that contain butadiene or cyclobutadiene. The rest of the book focuses on cyclopentadienyls, arene complexes, tropylium complexes, and complexes formed from cyclo-octatetraene or azulene. The book will be a useful tool for chemists, chemical engineers, and students and researchers in the field of chemistry.

Over the last decade, the area of homogeneous catalysis with transition metal has grown in great scientific interest and technological promise, with research in this area earning three Nobel Prizes and filing thousands of patents relating to metallocene and non-metallocene single site catalysts, asymmetric catalysis, carbon-carbon bond forming metathesis and cross coupling reactions. This text explains these new developments in a unified, cogent, and comprehensible manner while also detailing earlier discoveries and the fundamentals of homogeneous catalysis. Serving as a self-study guide for students and all chemists seeking to gain entry into this field, it can also be used by experienced researchers from both academia and industry for referring to leading state of the art review articles and patents, and also as a quick self-study manual in an area that is outside their immediate expertise. The book features: • Topics including renewable feed stocks (biofuel, glycerol), carbon dioxide based processes (polycarbonates), fluorous solvents, ionic liquid, hydroformylation, polymerization, oxidation, asymmetric catalysis, and more • Basic principles of organometallic chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, and relevant technological issues • Problems and answers, industrial applications (case studies), and examples from proven industrial processes with clear discussions on environmental and techno-commercial issues • Extensive references to cutting edge research with application potential and leading patents • Tables and illustrations to help explain difficult concepts