CHAPTER 2: Homogeneous Catalysis

This chapter covers some fundamental aspects of sustainable development, green chemistry, and homogeneous catalysis. The twelve principles of green chemistry have had a major impact on the development of new sustainable processes in order to increase resource efficiency and minimise waste production. The use of catalysis is the key to shifting from traditional organic synthesis to green and sustainable chemistry. This chapter also covers the application of Earth-abundant metal complexes as homogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation processes, C–C and C–heteroatom bond forming reactions and polymerisation reactions to afford organic molecules and polymeric materials.