Selective catalytic synthesis methods

Prof. Dr. Eszter Baráth

Our research interest is related to the fundamental understanding and description of the metal function of supported (transition) metals and to the determination of their specific physicochemical properties. Our general research strategy consists of three main pillars: the experimental insights, the spectroscopic analysis from as many viewpoints as possible, and the theoretical insights where the experimental and spectroscopic measurements are not possible to carry out or the presumed result is not conclusive enough. From an experimental point of view, physicochemical insights are needed to describe the heterogeneous surface and to understand the behavior at the solid-liquid interphase (e.g.: via adsorption measurements). In order to extend the scope of possible organic reactions in a heterogeneous environment by exploiting the advantageous properties of the solid surface, synthetic organic chemistry plays a key role. Spectroscopic analysis can provide a clear indication of the nature of catalytically active sites, both qualitatively and quantitatively, by unambiguous detection of structural and morphological peculiarities. In the solid-liquid interphase, the description of a chemical phenomenon is also very challenging from an experimental and spectroscopic point of view.

However, this complexity also opens up new opportunities for understanding new phenomena. Today's challenges call for the discovery of increasingly precise and highly efficient reusable catalysts, but this requires a deeper understanding of the interfaces and the combination of their potential positive properties that lead us to synergies. Synergies include, for example, the behavior of supported metals with very high dispersion and atomic size, single-site structures, but also systems with two or more catalytic effects operating in a cooperative fashion.