The first lecture defines the different classes of catalysts (molecular, enzymatic and solid), compares their respective advantages and disadvantages, and shows their current use in industry. It also describes the activation reactions of small molecules such asH2O,H2,CO2, N2, O2 and others. It shows how these molecules are at the chemical origin of life, and describes the active sites of today's metalloenzymes that activate these molecules, providing the chemist with a unique source of inspiration.
Finally, still in the form of an introduction to heterogeneous catalysts, it shows how today's unparalleled analytical techniques provide highly accurate information on the surface structure of solid catalysts, even on the atomic scale, and how the tools of theoretical chemistry can be used to predict the reactivity of solid surfaces on which small molecules are activated, and to understand the mechanism of these activation and transformation reactions.
