Recent Group Publications
U7A beamline publication database
X7B beamline publication database

The Chemistry Department's program in Catalysis - Reactivity and Structure, supported by the Division of Chemical Sciences of the Department of Energy investigates fundamental aspects of chemical catalysis from a multi-faceted perspective. BNL's National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) plays a key role in some of this research, often via collaborative efforts with scientists from other institutions. Transition-metal hydride complexes provide the unifying theme for our efforts in homogeneous catalysis and organometallic chemistry. Reactivity studies are designed to elucidate the factors that determine the rates and mechanisms of M-H bond cleavage in these compounds. The knowledge gained from these studies is then utilized in efforts to develop new catalytic systems, particularly for hydrogenation reactions.

Reactivity-structure correlations are also at the heart of the group's efforts related to heterogeneous catalysis and surface science. Specific emphasis is placed on understanding the effects of catalyst promoters  and poisons  at a molecular level and on understanding the distinctive catalytic behaviors of bimetallic surfaces that may serve as models for industrial bimetallic catalysts. Catalytic reactions on metal surfaces are investigated by ultra-high vacuum surface science techniques, infrared spectroscopy, and high-pressure kinetics, while the structures of the active surfaces and adsorbates are probed by a variety of methods including x-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies at the NSLS's U7A beamline. In addition to these studies, novel in situ diffraction studies are being undertaken at the NSLS's X7B beamline  in order to understand the formation and transformations of catalytic materials under both synthesis and catalytic reaction conditions (X7B).

Transition-metal hydride complexes provide the unifying theme for our efforts in homogeneous catalysis and organometallic chemistry, the research subject of R. M. Bullock  (Photo- and Radiation Group). Reactivity studies are designed to elucidate the factors that determine the rates and mechanisms of M-H bond cleavage in these compounds. The knowledge gained from these studies is then utilized in efforts to develop new catalytic systems, particularly for hydrogenation reactions.

Research Highlights:
 Surface Science and Environmental Catalysts

More Catalysis and Nanocatalysis in the Chemistry Department:
Morris Bullock, Thermal and Photochemistry Group, A Readily Recyclable Homogeneous Catalyst
Etsuko Fujita and Carol Creutz, Thermal and Photochemistry Group, Homogeneous Catalysis: Transition-Metal Based Reactions for Photoconversion and Remediation
Michael White, et. al., Photoinduced Molecular Dynamics Group, Mass-selected deposition of gas-phase clusters
Surface Chemical Dynamics Group, Michael White, Robert Beuhler, Nicholas Camillone, and Alexander Harris
Nanocatalysis in the Chemistry Department

Acknowledgement:
The Catalysis Group in the Brookhaven Chemistry Department is funded through contract DE-AC02-CH10086 with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geociences, and Biosciences.