Reports

Catalytic Chemistry Workshop on Defining Critical Directions for the Future

July 26-27, 2011

Executive Summary
Catalytic chemistry plays a vital role in the world economy since it is a key technology for chemical and materials synthesis, fuel production, power generation, and conversion and environmental remediation. Catalysis research is a major driver for the development of sustainable processes for fuel production and for synthesis of materials and chemicals [1-3]. Among the critical technologies that rely on catalysis are efficient synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, petroleum biomass conversion to fuels and platform chemicals, and production of materials for solar energy utilization, storage, and energy-efficient consumer and building products. A fundamental understanding of all areas of catalysis—homogeneous, heterogeneous, biological, photochemical, and electrochemical—is needed to develop more sustainable processes.
The new alignment of programs within the Chemistry Division (CHE) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) recognizes the central role of catalysis by establishing a new program to keep our nation’s effort at the forefront of catalysis research. A workshop on chemical catalysis was proposed to NSF CHE. The workshop was held in conjunction with the American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting held in Denver, Colorado in August 2011 to
discuss current research as well as to identify future challenges and opportunities in this field that would
benefit the catalysis community.