On the History of Developing Catalysis in Ukraine (1850s–1980s)

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the history of developing highly effective catalysts in the leading scientific institutions of Ukraine and explores the prerequisites for developing theories in physical chemistry, in particular those related to kinetics and catalysis. It highlights the significance of scientific discoveries at the turn of the 19th and 20th century and their application by native scientists to advance theoretical development in the field of chemistry. Special attention is paid to the works of Lev Pisarzhevskii, focusing on his advancements in electronic chemistry and, in particular, the electronic theory of catalysis. The article also outlines current challenges in creating highly efficient catalysts for the chemical and light industry, emphasizing the importance of such indicators of catalysts as activity and selectivity. Drawing on historical, scientific and patent data, the study investigates the process of creating a highly efficient catalyst for obtaining acrylic acid from acrolein. This catalyst holds a great ractical importance for the production of various polymers in industrial conditions. It is shown that, as a result of research conducted by native scientists of the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR and the Chemistry Department of Kyiv State University, the catalyst K-2-5 was developed. The catalyst has good indicators for the industrial production of acrylic acid from acrolein. The authors also highlight works studying the properties of the obtained catalyst, specifically its porous structure, which is an important factor in catalytic processes. They extensively focus on the kinetic indicators of catalytic reactions that occur when using this catalyst. The article also emphasizes the relevance of these developments for advancing research in catalysis and chemical industrial production.