Selective Oxidation by Heterogeneous Catalysis covers one of the major areas of industrial petrochemical production, outlining open questions and new opportunities. It gives keys for the interpretation and analysis of data and design of new catalysts and reactions, and provides guidelines for future research.
A distinctive feature of this book is the use of concept by example. Rather than reporting an overview of the literature results, the authors have selected some representative examples, the in-depth analysis of which makes it possible to clarify the fundamental, but new concepts necessary for a better understanding of the new opportunities in this field and the design of new catalysts or catalytic reactions. Attention is given not only to the catalyst itself, but also to the use of the catalyst inside the process, thus evidencing the relationship between catalyst design and engineering aspects of the process.
This book provides suggestions for new innovative directions of research and indications on how to reconsider the field of selective oxidation from different perspectives, outlining that is not a mature field of research, but that new important breakthroughs can be derived from fundamental and applied research. Suggestions are offered on how to use less conventional approaches in terms of both catalyst design and analysis of the data.

`The authors set out to accomplish two challenging goals in the writing of this book and they successfully accomplished both of them. Their first goal was to give examples of important, representative new catalytic oxidations and to consider them in a way that could lead to greater understanding of these reactions so that this insight might provide better design of catalytic oxidation processes. The second goal that the authors set out was to take a fresh look at long established ideas and concepts, to ascertain their limitations and, by so doing delineate guidelines for future research.
Although the authors state, early on, that their goal is not to provide a comprehensive review of new oxidation process technology, they do a fine job of doing just that. Almost all new, and many established heterogeneous catalytic oxidation process technologies are covered at some point in this volume. Along with some aspects of olefin epoxidation, aromatic hydroxylation and others, detailed descriptions of nearly all aspects of the heterogeneous catalytic oxidation and ammoxidation of alkanes, alkenes and alkyl aromatics are provided from many different points of view including the catalysts, reaction conditions, applications, process concepts, reactor design and mechanisms. The authors also highlight the enormous contributions made by catalytic oxidation technology to the chemical industry, noting that more than half the products made using catalytic processes and nearly all the monomers used for the production of fibers and plastics are obtained through selective oxidation.
I recommend it to all who are working in the field of catalysis, especially those in the area of catalytic oxidation or anyone who is contemplating entering this field. It will be a worthwhile addition to the library of those interested in catalytic oxidation, not only as a reference work full of important information, but as a stimulating compendiumof ideas that can focus one's approach on exciting new areas of oxidation catalysis in order to design new and useful chemical processes.
In conclusion, this volume is well written, informative, interesting, and thought provoking. It will be a valuable addition to the literature of heterogeneous catalytic oxidation.'
Dr. James E. Lyons in Cattech Journal, 5:2 (2001)

Autorentext
Fabrizio Cavani is associate professor of industrial chemistry at the University of Bologna. He has been active since 1983 in the field of study of catalytic materials for selective oxidation and ammoxidation of hydrocarbons, and acid catalyzed alkylation of aromatics. He is author of about 90 papers and reviews and 20 international patents, author of four books on oxidative and other dehydrogenation processes, selective partial oxidation of hydrocarbons, technology of catalytic oxidations other new developments in the field. He presented several plenary lectures in international congresses and meetings. His main competences are in the study of the catalytic reactivity of heterogeneous catalysts. Gabriele Centi is full professor of industrial chemistry at the University of Messina and a Past President of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies and Coordinator of the Network of Excellence IDECAT. He co-directs the European Laboratory for Catalysis and Surface Science. His research activities are centered in the area of development of industrial heterogeneous catalysts for applications in the field of sustainable chemical processes, and environmental protection and clean energy. He is author of over 230 scientific papers in international journals, editor and/or author of 6 books, editors of 6 special issues of international journals, chairman of several International congresses, and editor of the Elsevier book series "Studies in Catalysis and Surface Science". He also serves as member of panel committees of evaluation of various international institutes, and was visiting professor at various European Universities. He is a member of the Core Team which elaborates the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry.

Klappentext

Selective Oxidation by Heterogeneous Catalysis covers one of the major areas of industrial petrochemical production, outlining open questions and new opportunities. It gives keys for the interpretation and analysis of data and design of new catalysts and reactions, and provides guidelines for future research. A distinctive feature of this book is the use of concept by example. Rather than reporting an overview of the literature results, the authors have selected some representative examples, the in-depth analysis of which makes it possible to clarify the fundamental, but new concepts necessary for a better understanding of the new opportunities in this field and the design of new catalysts or catalytic reactions. Attention is given not only to the catalyst itself, but also to the use of the catalyst inside the process, thus evidencing the relationship between catalyst design and engineering aspects of the process. This book provides suggestions for new innovative directions of research and indications on how to reconsider the field of selective oxidation from different perspectives, outlining that is not a mature field of research, but that new important breakthroughs can be derived from fundamental and applied research. Suggestions are offered on how to use less conventional approaches in terms of both catalyst design and analysis of the data.

Inhalt

1. Trends and Outlook in Selective Oxidation: an Introduction.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Technological and Industrial Developments.- 1.3. New Opportunities Derived from Basic Research.- 1.4. The Ecological Issue as a Driving Force.- 1.5. Heterogeneous Versus Homogeneous Catalysis in Selective Oxidation.- References.- 2. New Technological and Industrial Opportunities: Options.- 2.1. Use of Alternative Raw Materials.- 2.2. New Reactor Technology Options.- 2.3. Air Versus Oxygen Processes.- References.- 3. New Technological and Industrial Opportunities: Examples.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2 Examples of Opportunities for New Oxidation Processes.- 3.3. Examples of New Catalytic Systems.- 3.4. Conclusions.- References.- 4. Control of the Surface Reactivity of Solid Catalysts: Industrial Processes of Alkane Oxidation.- 4.1. Introduction.- 4.2. Maleic Anhydride from n-Butane on Vanadium/Phosphorus Oxides.- 4.3. Propane Ammoxidation to Acrylonitrile on Vanadium/Antimony Oxides.- References.- 5. Control of the Surface Reactivity of Solid Catalysts: New Alkane Oxidation Rea…