Key technology of the chemical industry -: Heterogenic catalysis

Heterogeneously catalyzed reactions are technologically extremely important. Many processes proceed with high rates and selectivities at the surface of solid catalysts. Using modem analytical methods, detailed insight in the mechanisms of catalytic processes have been obtained, in some cases, results obtained with UHV methods could be extrapolated to the conditions of the technical processes. Important classes of reactions are discussed, and four technical processes are described to highlight different aspects of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions.