Homogeneous Catalysis for Sustainable Energy: Hydrogen and Methanol Economies, Fuels from Biomass, and Related Topics

As the world pledges to significantly cut carbon emissions, the demand for sustainable and clean energy has now become more important than ever. This includes both production and storage of energy carriers, a majority of which involve catalytic reactions. This article reviews recent developments of homogeneous catalysts in emerging applications of sustainable energy. The most important focus has been on hydrogen storage as several efficient homogeneous catalysts have been reported recently for (de)hydrogenative transformations promising to the hydrogen economy. Another direction that has been extensively covered in this review is that of the methanol economy. Homogeneous catalysts investigated for the production of methanol from CO2, CO, and HCOOH have been discussed in detail. Moreover, catalytic processes for the production of conventional fuels (higher alkanes such as diesel, wax) from biomass or lower alkanes have also been discussed. A section has also been dedicated to the production of ethylene glycol from CO and H-2 using homogeneous catalysts. Well-defined transition metal complexes, in particular, pincer complexes, have been discussed in more detail due to their high activity and well-studied mechanisms.

Automated summary

This article reviews recent developments of homogeneous catalysts in emerging applications of sustainable energy, with a focus on hydrogen storage, the methanol economy, and the production of conventional fuels from biomass or lower alkanes. Additionally, the production of ethylene glycol from CO and H-2 is discussed, with particular emphasis on well-defined transition metal complexes, such as pincer complexes, due to their high activity and well-studied mechanisms.