Catalysts Facilitate Molecular Transformations

The efficient, economical conversion of fossil feedstocks requires improvements in the controlof the individual reactions, better management of hydrogen, and more selective removal ofheteroatoms. The challenges are increasing as feedstocks such as heavy oils, tar sands, shale,and coal become heavier. Progress requires the detailed understanding of the compositions ofthe feedstocks and the products of their reactions by application of modern methods of analyticalchemistry. Existing catalytic approaches based on chemistry known from light petroleumconversion are insufficient because of the greatly increasing complexity of the feedstocks.Development of a next generation of catalysts and processes for heavy feedstocks requiresmolecular-scale understanding of the structures of the components, including the interactionsbetween large complex molecules. Novel process approaches may involve the highly selectiveremoval of heteroatoms from large complex structures and the use of light alkanes as selectivereductants. The practical consequences of research breakthroughs in heavy feedstock conversioninclude better utilization of resources (e.g., hydrogen) and minimization of environmental effectsof fuel production and burning.