April 2008

Microwaves at Work

Combining focused microwave heating with encapsulated pgm promoters offers significant advantages for a wide range of catalyst-mediated chemical reactions. (Courtesy of Reaxa Ltd.)

Palladised Copper Cathode for Carbon-Halogen Bond Cleavage

SEM images of a disordered Cu-Pd layer before (above) and after (below) electrochemical reduction of 1-bromodecane, showing a dramatic structural change in the layer.

Platinum Group Metals in the Periodic Table

Dmitri Mendeleev (1834-1907) pondered the particular physical and chemical properties of the pgms in compiling his definitive nineteenth century Periodic Table, the basis of all later ones. (Courtesy of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Russia)

"The Catalyst Technical Handbook"

Johnson Matthey has published an updated edition of "The Catalyst Technical Handbook". It contains data on heterogeneous and homogeneous pgm catalysts and their reactions, chiral catalysis and non-leachable polymer-linked catalysts. Also included is information on sponge metals and PRICAT support base metal catalysts. The handbook is available in electronic or print formats. For a free copy please contact Connie Schlegel.

Alfa Aesar 2008–2009 Catalog of Research Chemicals, Metals and Materials

Request your copy by completing the Literature Request Form.

The catalog offers nearly 30,000 products available from stock. Over 3000 new products include novel fine organics, nanomaterials, fuel cell catalysts and components, pure metals, alloys, analytical standards and catalyst/ligand kits. There is a new 14-page introduction to the Precious Metal Compounds and Catalysts section, by catalyst expert Martyn Twigg. It briefly covers the history of precious metal catalysis, and there are sections on general catalytic requirements for selected applications.

PGM Catalyst Kits

Johnson Matthey produce three catalyst kits of research amounts of catalyst, aimed at small scale working in academia and industry. Joanne Frankham (U.K. and Europe) and Connie Schlegel (U.S.A. and Asia) will provide information.

Asymmetric Hydrogenation Ligand/Catalyst Kit

A 12-piece kit of 8 ligands (500 mg each) and 4 catalysts (100 mg each) to make catalysts.

Advanced Coupling Kit

A 9-piece kit (1000 mg each) for C-C coupling reactions, aminations, alpha ketone arylation, etc., using sterically hindered substrates, aryl chlorides and electron-rich substrates. A guide is included.

Heterogeneous Catalyst Screening Kit

Contains 40 samples.

Research Chemicals

Small to medium quantities of precious metal salts and solutions are available for early stage R&D from Alfa Aesar: Europe and U.S.A. Packs are sized from grams up to semi-bulk quantities.

Further details from Alfa Aesar, free phone 00800 4566 4566 in Europe. In the U.S.A. go to Alfa Aesar, free phone 800 343 0660.