Chemistry

Catalysis in Chemistry

Module code: F1110
Level 6
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Workshop
Assessment modes: Unseen examination, Coursework

This module introduces you to catalysis, its industrial and environmental importance, and the main different classes – heterogeneous, homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis.

You’ll begin by looking at catalysis and green technologies, illustrating the very wide range of interesting and important applications of catalysis.

Heterogeneous catalysis is very important to the chemical industry. You’ll explore this through:

• a consideration of surface chemistry
• modern techniques for studying surfaces 
• the study of important organic and inorganic solid catalysts, including the rapidly growing area of shape-selective catalysis.

Homogeneous catalysis is also an extremely important subject in synthesis and industrial chemistry. You’ll cover this in a series of lectures on important metal-catalysed processes.

You’ll also explore the important and growing areas of catalysis, such as enzymatic and asymmetric catalysis, for a range of important chemical reactions.

You’ll attend workshops and look at case studies based on important catalytic processes throughout the module.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of catalytic processes
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of how catalysis can occur heterogeneously and homogeneously
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the importance and mechanism of enzymatic and asymmetric catalysis
• Demonstrate conceptual understanding of modern catalysis and its industrial and environmental importance