Main research objectives of our group include the design, development and study of new catalysts for industrially relevant processes, such as olefin polymerization and oligomerization, selective alcohol oxidation, application of CO2in syntheses, etc. Our investigations can be described as basic science oriented toward the application, focusing on molecular catalysts with well-defined structures. We are interested in such catalysts because they can be studied by classic techniques of Homogeneous Catalysis, and their properties can be tuned by rational design. The group currently consists of permanent researchers, Dr. J. Cámpora (Team Leader) and Dr. P. Palma, five post-doctoral researchers and a several Ph. D. students.
Since 2004, the Catalyst Development Group has published more than 30 research articles, several book chapters and reviews and has filed four patents describing catalytic processes.
Our group has participated actively in the 5th EU Framework Program in the Network of Excellence “IDECAT”, together with many of the most significant European research groups in the field of Catalysis. The IDECAT project has created a large platform for the promotion of Catalysis in its different forms (Homogeneous, Heterogeneous and Biocatalysis) as an integrated tool for the sustainable development of the Chemical Industry in Europa. This important task has been inherited by the European Institute of Research in Catalysis, a permanent organization to which we are associated members.
