Designed open-structure heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals

After tracing the key milestones in zeolite science with particular reference to catalytic solids, and the characteristics of hypothetical new structures that should soon be synthesizable, we focus, first on a summarizing account of the ever-more refined techniques of evaluation and characterization that are now available to the zeolite scientist. With the imminent arrival of more powerful synchrotron sources, it may, for example, be possible to carry out x-ray diffraction microscopy (i.e. without the use of a lens). The importance of combined deployment of techniques (e.g. XAFS and XRD), especially for in situ studies of crystallization and catalysis, is adumbrated. The final and largest section of our paper is devoted to the role of open-structure catalysts, in association with novel sources of oxygen (e.g. acetyl peroxyborate) for effecting a wide range of new reactions that are of considerable value in the synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Brief comments are also made on likely future developments in the design and application of new asymmetric heterogeneous catalysts. It is clear that the nanoporous solids discussed here are capable of yielding generic, designed heterogeneous catalysts.