Abstract

Catalysis has always been part of the development of mankind; from the fermentation of alcoholic drinks, through the development of fertilisers in the agricultural revolution and production of bulk chemicals in the 20th Century. Today, society demands improved production routes with greater product output and energy efficiency; the ultimate goal to achieving this would be having all catalytic reactions in concert, effectively functioning like a biological cell.

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a relatively new type of hybrid material. Their crystalline porous structure, built up from organic and inorganic building blocks, presents a vast array of composition, porosity and functionality offering enormous potential in catalytic systems.

This book examines the latest research and discovery in the use of MOFs in catalysis, highlighting the extent to which these materials have been embraced by the community. Beyond presenting a digest of recent research by major players in the field, the book presents the strategies behind recent developments, providing a lasting reference for seasoned researchers and newcomers to the field.

Francesc X. Llabres i Xamena received his PhD in Chemistry in 2000 from the University of the Balearic Islands (Spain) working with Prof. C. Otero in the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of zeolites. After a 2-years post-doctoral stage at the University of Turin with Prof. A. Zecchina and one year at the University of Padua with Prof. G. Granozzi, he joined the ITQ in 2004 as a "Ramon y Cajal" Research Associate. He obtained a permanent position at the ITQ as Staff Scientist of the Spanish Research Council (CSIC). His current research interests are in the preparation of Coordination Polymer compounds and the study of their applications, including heterogeneous catalysis. He is a regular presenter at scientific conferences, with more than thirty presentations and invited talks to international meetings. He has authored 36 papers in leading scientific journals and holds 2 international patents.