Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract Heterogeneous catalytic processes play a central role in the chemical industry and, thus, in our lives. They are technically advantageous, since the catalysts can be recovered and recycled with relative ease, and these features also make them sustainable. Being sustainable is a large step toward green chemistry; however, the really green catalytic approaches require more than that. Environmentally benign synthesis and degradation of the catalysts at the end of their life time; their increased stability; negligible leaching of their active components; the use of harmless solvents or, better, no solvents at all; the application of environment-friendly reactants, e.g., H 2 O 2 , oxygen, or the best, air in oxidation reactions are all equally important contributors that make the catalyst and the catalytic reaction green indeed. The chapter describes new catalytic materials as well as novel methods of catalyst preparations, and also pays attention to the aforementioned auxiliary, but very important factors. Furthermore, since upgrading biomass as a renewable, green energy source requires the application of heterogeneous catalytic reactions as well, the relevant catalytic processes are also overviewed.