Biomolecular Catalysis

This book provides up-to-date reviews of nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and applications in biomolecular catalysis. It contains useful references for researchers in this field and will be a practical guide for future researchers.

This book is based on the George Fisher Baker Lecture given by Jean-Michel Savéant at Cornell University in Fall 2002. * The first book focusing on molecular electrochemistry * Relates to other fields, including photochemistry and biochemistry * Outlines clearly the connection between concepts, experimental illustrations, proofs and supporting methods * Appendixes to provide rigorous demonstrations to prevent an overload of algebra in the main text * Applications-oriented, focused on analyzing the results obtained rather than the methodology

Takes the reader through the origins of catalysis in RNA and necessarily includes significant discussion of structure and folding. The main focus of the book concerns chemical mechanism with extensive comment on how, despite the importance of RNA catalysis in the cell, its origins are still poorly understood and often controversial. The reader is given an outline of the important role of RNA catalysis in many aspects of cell function, including RNA processing and translation.

An integrated approach to the molecular theory of reaction mechanism in heterogeneous catalysis, largely based on the knowledge among the growing theoretical catalysis community over the past half century, and covering all major catalytic systems. The authors develop a general conceptual framework, including in-depth comparisons with enzyme catalysis, biomineralisation, organometallic and coordination chemistry. A chapter dedicated to molecular electrocatalysis addresses the molecular description of reactions at the liquid-solid interphase, while studies range from a quantum-chemical treatment of individual molecular states to dynamic Monte-Carlo simulations, including the full flexibility of the many-particle systems. Complexity in catalysis is explained in chapters on self-organization and self-assembly of catalysts, and other sections are devoted to evolutionary, combinatorial techniques as well as artificial chemistry.

Encompassing an integrated approach to the various aspects of catalysis, covering heterogeneous, homogeneous, organo-, bio-, and computational catalysis, as well as reaction and reactor engineering on an advanced level, this textbook is ideal for graduate students with diverse backgrounds, including catalysis, engineering, and organic synthesis. The basic principles of the various fields of catalysis are introduced in a concise way, preparing the reader for the more advanced chapters. Organometallic chemistry, surface science, biochemistry, nanoscience, transport phenomena and kinetics, reactor and reaction engineering are presented, spanning from the underlying science to industrial applications. Several important case studies on industrial applications are given. It includes catalyst preparation and characterisation and explores recent developments in the understanding of catalytic mechanisms, exploring advanced techniques such as operando spectroscopy.

New and Future Developments in Catalysis is a package of seven books that compile the latest ideas concerning alternate and renewable energy sources and the role that catalysis plays in converting new renewable feedstock into biofuels and biochemicals. Both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and catalytic processes will be discussed in a unified and comprehensive approach. There will be extensive cross-referencing within all volumes. The use of catalysts in the nanoscale offers various advantages (increased efficiency and less byproducts), and these are discussed in this volume along with the various catalytic processes using nanoparticles. However, this is not without any risks and the safety aspects and effects on humans and the environment are still unknown. The present data as well as future needs are all part of this volume along with the economics involved. Offers in-depth coverage of all catalytic topics of current interest and outlines future challenges and research areas A clear and visual description of all parameters and conditions, enabling the reader to draw conclusions for a particular case Outlines the catalytic processes applicable to energy generation and design of green processes

Chiral molecules are needed for the production of many pharmaceuticals and materials, and catalytic asymmetric synthesis provides a method for the preparation of such chiral products. For the synthesis of complex molecules, such as natural products and biologically active compounds, more than one catalytic reaction may be necessary and tandem catalysis refers to the combination of catalytic reactions into one synthesis. By combing catalysts it enables a more efficient, economical and selective one pot approach for complex molecule synthesis which could not be achieved through single specific catalytic systems. The challenge is finding the right catalyst which is compatible with other catalysts but also tolerates reagents, solvent and intermediates generated during the course of the reaction. Enantioselective Multicatalysed Tandem Reactions provides an overview of recent developments in the area. The first part of the book covers asymmetric tandem reactions catalysed by multiple catalysts from the same discipline (organocatalysts, two metal and multienzyme-catalysed reactions). The second part looks at tandem reactions catalysed by multiple catalysts from different disciplines including reactions catalysed by a combination of metals and organocatalysts, reactions catalysed by a combination of metals and enzymes, and finally reactions catalysed by a combination of organocatalysts and enzymes. The book will appeal to researchers and professionals in academic and industrial laboratories interested in catalysis, biocatalysis and organic synthesis of chiral compounds.