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Organometallic Homogeneous Catalysis—Quo vadis?
Author(s) -
Herrmann Wolfgang A.,
Cornils Boy
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition in english
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 0570-0833
DOI - 10.1002/anie.199710481
Subject(s) - hydroformylation , catalysis , homogeneous , homogeneous catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , heterogeneous catalysis , raw material , organometallic chemistry , group 2 organometallic chemistry , nanotechnology , polymer science , biochemical engineering , materials science , rhodium , engineering , molecule , mathematics , combinatorics
Homogeneous catalysis is the success story of organometallic chemistry. Otto Roelen's initial discovery of hydroformylation in 1938 not only entailed large‐capacity production plants but was later followed by systematic research into the catalytic chemistry of the ever‐growing class of organometallic compounds. Further developments in industrial chemistry towards clean, low‐temperature, low‐pressure, and economic processes—in feedstock or in the fine chemicals and polymer area—clearly depend on improved catalysts. Molecularly defined, tailor‐made structures are the safest prerequisites for chemical selectivity; hence, organometallic compounds with their overwhelming variety of compositions and structures offer the most promising approach. Wilkinson's catalysts [HRh(CO){P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] and [ClRh{P(C 6 H 5 )} 3 } 3 ] are outstanding examples. On the other hand, process technology has to be considered also (for example catalyst‐product separation and hear‐exchange problems). The following review attempts to critically assess the future trends and present demands in the applied area of orgnometallic catalysis–a “gentle art” that is far from being a mature field.