The research we are undertaking in this area focuses on the design and development of novel catalytic systems which can be used for such modification reactions. Catalytic reactions currently under study include hydrogenation, hydroformylation, hydroxymethylation and hydrosilylation of a variety of diene based polymers and copolymers. Catalysis Some of our recent research focuses on the development of catalytic systems which can be employed in catalytic distillation, a novel reactor technology.
Catalytic distillation combines the operations of chemical reaction and product separation.
Another area of interest to us has been the development of catalytic systems based on metallocene catalysts for the production of polyolefins. Reactive Polymers Research is being carried out on the synthesis of novel functionalized polymer supports for the efficient removal and possible treatment or recovery of toxic waste efflucents. Chelating resins produced by incorporating multidentate ligands into polymer networks have aroused widespread interest because of their promise to provide greater selectivity for metal ions in ion exchangers. Sorption characteristics and kinetics of this resin for the selective sorption and recovery of metals are under investigation. J.A. Greig, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK, pp.