%0 Journal Article
%T Organocatalysis: Key Trends in Green Synthetic Chemistry, Challenges, Scope towards Heterogenization, and Importance from Research and Industrial Point of View
%A Isak Rajjak Shaikh
%J Journal of Catalysts
%D 2014
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2014/402860
%X This paper purports to review catalysis, particularly the organocatalysis and its origin, key trends, challenges, examples, scope, and importance. The definition of organocatalyst corresponds to a low molecular weight organic molecule which in stoichiometric amounts catalyzes a chemical reaction. In this review, the use of the term heterogenized organocatalyst will be exclusively confined to a catalytic system containing an organic molecule immobilized onto some sort of support material and is responsible for accelerating a chemical reaction. Firstly, a brief description of the field is provided putting it in a green and sustainable perspective of chemistry. Next, research findings on the use of organocatalysts on various inorganic supports including nano(porous)materials, nanoparticles, silica, and zeolite/zeolitic materials are scrutinized in brief. Then future scope, research directions, and academic and industrial applications will be outlined. A succinct account will summarize some of the research and developments in the field. This review tries to bring many outstanding researches together and shows the vitality of the organocatalysis through several aspects. 1. Introduction In 1987, the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) [1] defined ”°sustainable development”± as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Two of the key aspects of sustainable development from an energy and chemical perspective are to develop more renewable forms of energy and to reduce pollution. Chemistry during the twentieth century changed the living standard of human beings. Among the greatest achievements of chemistry are petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. But these industries are often blamed for polluting environment. The challenge for the present-day chemical industry is to continue providing applications and socioeconomic benefits in an environmentally friendly manner. Over the last few decades, green chemistry has been recognized as a culture and methodology for achieving sustainable development [2]. Green chemistry is chemistry able to promote innovative technologies that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Anastas and Warner defined the 12 principles of green chemistry (Figure 1) [3]. Catalysis (including enzyme catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and organocatalysis, in particular) is identified to be at the heart of greening of chemistry [4] because this branch of science is found to reduce the
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jcat/2014/402860/