Heterogeneous Catalysis - ACS Publications

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PREFACE

Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 2, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 3, 1983 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1983-0222.pr001

H E T E R O G E N E O U S CATALYSIS spans a broad range of scientific disciplines

including such seemingly unrelated topics as solid state physics, materials sintering, and organic reaction mechanisms. While much of the early work in catalysis was a result of academic curiosity, the need for improved performance in industrial applications had a strong influence in focusing the many research disciplines onto heterogeneous catalysis. During the 1800s much of the research in catalysis occurred in Europe and heterogeneous catalysis did not become firmly established in the United States until the 1920s. Because extensive activity in this area has produced an enormous amount of literature documenting many important advances, only a limited number of benchmark works and scientists could be included in a symposium even if the coverage was limited to U.S. contributions. This seems an appropriate time to pause and survey the nearly 50 years of progress in U.S. heterogeneous catalysis research. In this volume, some of the U.S. pioneers from the 1920s and 1930s provide a personal view of their work, and, in addition, several experts provide a personal, historical account of a research area or pioneer. Much of this early research had an Edisonian character. The unique, creative personality of the investigator or unanticipated events were, in many cases, important features leading to a major advance. Frequently, these facets of science are not recorded in detail. Advances in instrumentation have also occurred, so that present day investigators can obtain a detailed structure of a catalyst surface layer. Information can also be obtained about the concentration and chemical state of chemisorbed species. Therefore, even though Edisonian approaches will remain an important aspect of this research, we are entering a new era of research in heterogeneous catalysis. Nearly all of the papers presented at the Las Vegas symposium are included in this book. In addition, some early researchers who were unable to attend the meeting have made written contributions. Our intention is to convey to you many fascinating aspects of catalysis and its broad scope, ranging all the way from alchemy to Edisonian research to high technology, and to provide insight into those most unusual, stimulating, and intellectual pioneers that gave it life. We are especially grateful to Dr. Robert Burwell for providing, in the very limited space allotted to him, such an outstanding xi Davis and Hettinger; Heterogeneous Catalysis ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1983.

Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 2, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 3, 1983 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1983-0222.pr001

and stimulating view of some events in European catalytic history prior to the 1920 period. We heartily thank the following companies for a donation to provide travel funds for some of the retired pioneers: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Celanese Research Company, Chemical Data Systems, Inc., General Electric Company, Monsanto Company, Phillips Petroleum Company, Rohm and Haas Company, Texaco, Inc., The P.Q. Corp., Union Carbide Corporation, and W. R. Grace & Co. Many assisted with organizing the symposium and preparing this book. We acknowledge the outstanding assistance of the I M M R Publications Section (Rhonda Pettit, Krina Cummins, Kathleen Dumler, Susan Hudak, Martha Moore, Kathie Sauer, Vicki Schumacher, and Camille Weber), Joyce Hieger, Janet Litteral, and the encouragement of our respective spouses, Nancy and Alice. B U R T R O N H. DAVIS

University of Kentucky W I L L I A M P. H E T T I N G E R , JR.

Ashland Petroleum Company January 25, 1983

xii Davis and Hettinger; Heterogeneous Catalysis ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1983.

Downloaded by 80.82.77.83 on January 2, 2018 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: June 3, 1983 | doi: 10.1021/bk-1983-0222.pr001

ACKNOWLEDGMENT Xytel Corporation assisted in the preparation of this volume with a generous grant to defray a portion of the publication expenses. In addition, the editors are grateful to Serge Randhava, Ravi Randhava, and David Goltermann of Xytel Corporation for hosting the social hour at the Las Vegas A C S meeting in March, 1982.

xiii Davis and Hettinger; Heterogeneous Catalysis ACS Symposium Series; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1983.