Ad-hoc synthesized catalysts and commercial ones: their catalytic applications in the perspective of sustainability

Abstract per l'ottenimento della Medaglia Chiusoli 2024: Since her education years until today, Prof. Claudia Antonetti's main research interests have focused on applied catalysis and sustainable chemistry, investigating with particular attention both the synthesis, characterization, and application of ad-hoc prepared catalysts and the optimization of catalytic processes, even in the presence of commercial systems, for the valorization of biomasses, including waste ones, and/or the platform chemicals derived from them, always working in the perspective of sustainability. During the seminar, many examples regarding the synthesis, characterization and applications of nanostructured catalysts based on different metals, such as Ru, Pd, Au, Cu, and Ag will be presented. Regarding commercial catalysts, Prof. Claudia Antonetti has investigated their use for the catalytic conversion and valorization of a wide range of biomasses, including waste ones, under sustainable reaction conditions. The studied approaches involved the use of heterogeneous acid systems, salts, mineral acids and metallic catalysts, obtaining significant catalytic performances. Finally, Prof. Claudia Antonetti has collaborated and continues to collaborate with large, medium and small companies in several projects funded by the companies themselves and/or by the Tuscany Region and/or by the European Community, as evidenced also by her patent activity.