Structure Sensitivity in Mild Catalytic Hydrocarbon Conversions

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The Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division of the National Science Foundation will support the research program of Professor Francisco Zaera at the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Zaera and his students will examine the hypothesis that the structure of the metallic catalyst surface affects the selectvitiy of the reaction even for mild catalytic hydrocarbon conversions such as the hydrogenation and isomerization of heavy olefins and the oxidation of glycerol. Kinetic investigations using an in situ nanoliter sized reactor, coupled with infrared spectroscopic investigations of the surface intermediates will be used to probe these ideas. The fundamental understanding obtained from these studies will impact the design and utilization of heterogeneous catalysts for industrial processes. New experimental methodology will be developed in the application of the nanoliter reactor technology. Collaboration with research groups in Latin America will continue, and increased participation by students in underrepresented groups, Hispanics in particular, will be pursued.