Cleaner industrial processes using hydrogen peroxide

Recent research progress in catalytic systems for potential use with hydrogen peroxide in industrial chemical synthesis is reviewed, with special focus on work published in the last five years. The main types of chemistry employed are critically appraised regarding their suitability for industrial exploitation. The most significant catalyst types are discussed in terms of the positive features identified to date, and the obstacles yet to be surmounted in order to become more widely adopted. It is believed that fully inorganic systems have more scope for commercialization than those containing organic ligands or supports, however robust. Critical targets are larger-pore analogs of titanium silicalite TS-1, more exploration of smectite-based materials, effective immobilization of activated metal peroxo systems, and improvements in design and manipulation of polyoxometallate compounds. Cooperation between branches of chemistry that have not traditionally worked closely together is advocated.