Green Process Synth 2016; 5: 231–232 Book review Sustainable catalysis DOI 10.1515/gps-2016-0016 Sustainable catalysis provides an excellent in-depth over- view of the applications of non-endangered elements in Michael North (Ed.) all aspects of catalysis from heterogeneous to homogene- Sustainable catalysis: with non-endangered metals ous, from catalyst supports to ligands. The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015 Four volumes of the book series are divided into RSC Green Chemistry series nos. 38–41 two sub-topics devoted to (i) metal-based catalysts and Part 1 (ii) catalysts without metals or other endangered ele- Print ISBN: 978-1-78262-638-1 ments. Each sub-topic comprises of two books due to the PDF eISBN: 978-1-78262-211-6 detailed analysis of catalytic applications described. All Part 2 chapters are written by the world-leading researchers in Print ISBN: 978-1-78262-639-8 the area; however, covering far beyond the scope of their PDF eISBN: 978-1-78262-642-8 immediate research interests, which makes the book par- ticularly valuable for a wide range of readers. Sustainable catalysis: without metals or other Sustainable catalysis: with non-endangered metals endangered elements begins with a very brief chapter which describes the Part 1 concept of elemental sustainability, overviewing the Print ISBN: 978-1-78262-640-4 abundance of the critical elements and perspectives on PDF eISBN: 978-1-78262-209-3 sustainable catalysts. The chapters follow the groups of EPUB eISBN: 978-1-78262-752-4 the periodic table from left to right, from alkaline metals to Part 2 lead spanning 22 chapters. For elements that have broad Print ISBN: 978-1-78262-641-1 applications such as titanium, iron or aluminium, several PDF eISBN: 978-1-78262-643-5 chapters cover various groups of applications. The scope EPUB eISBN: 978-1-78262-753-1 of catalysts described is truly colossal. Heterogeneous cat- alysts span from iron in the Haber-Bosch synthesis or gold Nowadays, the chemical industry uses almost all elements nanoparticles in oxidation to precisely porosity-controlled of the periodic table as reagents, catalysts or ligands with titanium-incorporated zeolite TS-1. However, the books are the range of applications determined mainly by economic not confined to only catalysts, but present all the relevant considerations such as the process performance, catalyst applications such as catalyst supports or photocatalysts. and feedstock prices. During the applications, the ele- The range of homogeneous catalysts described in the ments involved are converted from concentrated sources books is even wider provided its important role in chemis- (such as ores) into diluted product and waste streams. try. Homogeneous catalysts portrayed vary from lead salt Recovery of even the most precious elements from these solutions in the synthesis of lactic acid from cellulose, to sources is currently either very difficult of prohibitively titanium polymerisation catalysts, to lithium-based Lewis expensive resulting in depletion of the available resources. bases, zirconium complexes for seteo selective polylactide A lot of processes operate this way, but the series of books formation, chromium compounds for Cannizzaro reac- Sustainable catalysis stresses the importance of an alter- tions and much more. native, sustainable, approach. The two books comprising series Sustainable catalysis: All elements of the periodic table depending on supply without metals or other endangered elements set an even risks can be classified (i) as abundant such as hydrogen, more ambitious goal for the metal-free catalysis. The iron or silicon; (ii) as elements of limited availability such number of abundant non-metals is significant: hydrogen, as lithium, phosphorus or nickel; (iii) as endangered such carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, silicon, sulphur and chlorine; as germanium, zinc and platinum metals. Hence, sustain- hence, utilisation of these elements is essential for ele- able development of chemical processes requires as thor- mental sustainability. The books start with a short histori- ough as possible utilisation of abundant elements instead cal perspective of non-metallic catalysts that go a century of endangered ones. To achieve this goal, the book series back. The next three chapters are devoted to catalysis by 232 Book review acids or bases on nitrogen-containing compounds and detailed analysis of the cutting-edge organic chemistry heterocycles; acids in traditional or supercritical solvents, performed using only sustainable means, that is with ionic liquids as well as various solid acid catalysts. The catalysts, supports, ligands that contain only non-endan- following 20 chapters are devoted to asymmetric catalysis gered elements. This knowledge is definitely invaluable by organic compounds (organocatalysis) focusing mainly for readers such as PhD students and researchers spe- on recent works. The books cover catalytic applications of cialising in organic chemistry and catalysis, or lecturers proline derivatives, other animoacids and peptides, alka- preparing the materials for the next generation chemists. loids, amines, ureas, as well as more simple classes as alcohols and carboxylic acids. In conclusion, the book series Sustainable catalysis Nikolay Cherkasov School of Engineering not only shows an important problem of elemental sus- University of Warwick tainability but answers the question how to achieve it in Coventry, CV4 7AL order to allow the future generation to use the whole range UK of chemical elements. The books provide a very deep and E-mail: [email protected].