Natural phosphates and their catalytic applications

Abstract

The catalytic properties of phosphate rocks (natural phosphates: NP) and their role as a catalyst or catalyst support were discussed in the light of the versatility and potential of phosphate-based catalysts. NP have both acidic and/or basic properties, structure flexibility, capacity to disperse a catalytic active phase (e.g. metal salts), and low cost. Thus, NP have been studied as catalytic materials in several chemical processes, in particular in organic synthesis, with interesting catalytic efficiency. This chapter is dedicated to the study of NP in several application in organic chemistry such as condensation, cross-coupling, alkylation reactions, hydration of aromatic nitriles, hydrogenation, reduction, reforming of methane, etc.