Catalytic chemistry of solid polyoxometalates and their industrial applications

Abstract

First, fundamental properties (structure, acid and redox properties) and advantages of solid polyoxometalate catalysts (catalyst design by acid and redox control, molecularity, unusual reaction field and unique basicity) are explained. Then, the mechanism of alcohol dehydration elucidated by direct observation of reaction intermediates by solid-state NMR and the very high activity of Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 are described. Finally several industrial applications of polyoxometalate catalysts are briefly introduced placing stress on the role of unique chemical properties of polyoxometalates. © 1993 Kluwer Academic Publishers.