Catalytic Activation of Dioxygen

Dioxygen is the commonest oxidative agent and a considerable part of oxidation reactions with its participation proceed via heterogeneous catalysis. Many of these catalytic reactions form the basis for important industrial processes such as production of sulphuric or nitric acids as well as numerous oxygen containing organic compounds obtained by selective oxidation of hydrocarbons and other organic substances. The catalytic reactions of complete oxidation by dioxygen are extensively used for detoxication of organic substances and carbon monoxide from industrial and motor-transport exhaust gases. Some attempts have been made recently to utilize the catalytic oxidation of fuels for energy production. The interactions of dioxygen with dihydrogen or carbon monoxide often serve as model reactions for fundamental research in heterogeneous catalysis.