Hybrid organic-inorganic structured materials as single-site heterogeneous catalysts

Abstract

Catalyst selectivity is associated with well-defined homogeneous active sites. Transition metal complexes and organocatalysts are highly active and selective in the homogeneous phase, and their heterogenization by incorporating them into inorganic solid materials allows combining their excellent catalytic activity with improved separation, recovering and recycling properties. In this article, we present the structural characteristics and catalytic properties of hybrid organic-inorganic materials in which the molecular catalysts are part of the inorganic structure, emphasizing the possibilities of periodic mesoporous hybrid materials and coordination polymers as single-site solid catalysts. © 2012 The Royal Society.