Overview

Heterogeneous catalysis plays a key role in the remediation of environmental pollution and in the development of clean and safe chemical processes. The objective of NCL's research in this area is to develop commercially viable catalytic processes for fine chemicals using solid catalysts which are environment friendly. A study of structural characterization of catalytically active surfaces is an integral part of the catalyst preparation and development programme.

Mission & Goals
  • Design new solid catalysts for chemical transformations with high conversion and selectivity for petrochemicals, selected high value fine chemicals and organic intermediates
  • Develop catalysts for pollution abatement
  • Develop new environmentally benign processes for chemical industries
  • Fundamental research on understanding of the above catalysts and processes
  • Understanding the mechanism of catalyst action on atomic and molecular scale studies of reaction intermediates and probing of structure-function relations
  • In situ
  • Shape-selective halogenation of aromatics over solids
  • Selective alkylation of amines and phenols
  • Molecular rearrangements and C-C coupling reactions over solid catalysts
  • Catalysts for de-NOx from stationary and mobile sources
  • Kinetic analysis of reactions
  • Catalyst characterization structure, texture, surface composition, redox properties, etc.

    		•
    Competency
  • Functionalization of hydrocarbons by direct air oxidation
  • Shape-selective halogenation of aromatics over solids
  • Selective alkylation of amines and phenols
  • Molecular rearrangements and C-C coupling reactions over solid catalysts
  • Catalysts for de-NOx from stationary and mobile sources
  • Kinetic analysis of reactions
  • Catalyst characterization structure, texture, surface composition, redox properties, etc.
    • Catalytic materials
  • Zeolites, acidic and basic
  • Crystalline microporous metallosilicates
  • Ordered mesoporous materials with anchored metal complexes
  • Zeolite encapsulated complexes (enzyme mimics)
  • Layered materials: pillared clays and hydrotalcites
  • Condensed materials: perovskites, spinels and ferrites
  • Heteropolyacids, solid super acids.
    • Glimpses of current research

  • Hydroxylation of phenol over a solid catalyst
  • Isomerization of -dichlorobenzene
  • Selective chlorination of toluene
  • Ammoxidation of ketones withNH
  • Selective alkylation of catechol to guaiacol
  • Selective acylation of anisole
  • Dehydrogenation alcohols
  • Oligomerization of alkenes
  • CO free H generation from LPG for fuel cell applications
  • Synthesis of zeolites and microporous materials for commercial applications

    • Contact
     
    Dr. Rajiv Kumar
    National Chemical Laboratory ,
    Dr. Homi Bhabha Road ,
    Pune 411 008 India
    Email : rajiv@cata.ncl.res.in
    Phone :+91-20-2589 0976
    Fax :+91-20-2589 0976