Catalysis with Earth-Abundant Metals Iron, Cobalt, Nickel and Copper for Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

For many years, the field of catalysis has been dominated by the utilization of platinum group metals (ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum) as catalysts since, due to their capability to exist in many oxidation states, they have the most suitable properties. These include the ability to form complexes with many reagents and to catalyze reactions under milder conditions and with higher selectivity than many other metals, good functional-group tolerance, and also the fact that their synthetic chemistry is now highly understood. However, platinum group metals are among the rarest in the periodic table, being, therefore, less available, more expensive, and also toxic. Today, there is a shift in attention toward the more abundant first row-transition metals, i.e., iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper, as catalysts, for a more sustainable approach to synthesis. They are cheaper and less toxic, and a large wealth of reactions are continuously being reported, which these metals and their complexes are capable of catalyzing, often without the requirement for the use of inert atmospheres and sometimes even in water. In this issue of Catalysts, we aim to highlight this topic and bring to our readers the latest information available.

Dr. Ana Maria Faísca Phillips
Prof. Dr. Elisabete C.B.A. Alegria
Prof. Dr. Luísa Margarida Martins
Guest Editors

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