Heterogeneous catalysis is a core area of contemporary physical chemistry posing major fundamental and conceptual challenges. Catalysis lies at the heart of the chemical industry - an immensely successful and important part of the overall UK economy, and catalysis plays a crucial part in the production of 80% of all manufactured goods. Catalysis is a major theme in the chemical sciences and engineering that underlies much of the key research and teaching in these subjects.

The reaction mechanisms of many commercial processes although successfully operated, are still a matter of debate and controversy, e.g. methanol synthesis and the Fischer–Tropsch process. Modern theoretical methods are now playing a central role in understanding reaction mechanisms and are starting to enable catalyst design. 

This volume brings together internationally leading researchers in this field to explore and exchange ideas concerning the key aspects of reaction mechanism studies and how this can drive the rational design of catalysts. In this volume, the topics covered include:

• Theory and reaction mechanisms
• Challenges of using advanced characterisation methods for in situ reaction mechanism studies
• Opportunities for understanding reaction mechanisms under flow conditions
• Dynamic catalytic systems on the border of heterogeneous/homogeneous catalysis