The amount by which the energy of reactants must be raised for reaction to take place

A substance with pain-relieving properties

Compounds based on the “benzene ring”

The proportion of reactant atoms that appear in the desired product

Apparatus used for small-scale reactions in a contained environment, usually at high pressure

Catalysed reactions where the catalyst is an enzyme

Chemical reaction carried out using biological catalysts

A fungus used in biocatalysis

(“Carbo – cation”, not “carbocashun”!) A positive ion formed from an organic molecule

“Catalytic cracker” – industrial scale equipment used to break large alkane molecules from fractional distillation of oil into smaller molecules

A substance which, though not itself a catalyst, improves the effectiveness of the catalyst by chemical means

Term used to describe molecules that contain a carbon atom that is surrounded by four different groups, allowing for isomers that are mirror-images (leading to optical isomerism)

A second catalyst used in conjunction with another

Monomer molecules used in addition to main monomer when making a polymer (introduces controlled branching)

Breaking large alkane molecules from heavier oil fractions into smaller ones

Polymer chains sliding over one another in a plastic, leading to a change in dimensions

Two mirror-image molecules

A group of catalysts using clay supports

A catalyst of biological origin

The first of the metallocenes, transition metal complexes consisting of a metal atom “sandwiched” between two 5-membered rings

Electrochemical cell used to generate electricity from fuels

High Density Poly(ethene)

Catalysed reactions in which the catalyst and reactants are in different phases (solid, liquid or gas)

Catalysed reactions in which the catalyst and reactants are in the same phase (solid, liquid or gas)

The characteristic of substances that have the same formula, but different structures

Walter Kaminsky developed catalysts based on metallocenes

A nylon-based fibre with exceptional strength – used to make bullet-proof vests, tyres, heat resistant fabrics

Low density poly(ethene)

A substance that is an electron-pair acceptor

Linear low density poly(ethene)

Methylalumoxane – formed during activation of a metallocene catalyst for  the production of poly(ethene)

Transition metal complexes consisting of metal atoms “sandwiched” between 5-membered rings

A type of clay used as catalyst support in Friedel-Crafts alkylation

Technology that is on a molecular (or strictly nanometre) scale

Developer of organo-metallic catalysts for production of plastics – shared Nobel Prize with Ziegler

Isomerism as a result of a molecule existing in two mirror-image forms (which affect polarised light differently).  The two isomers are referred to as the L- and D- isomers, or alternatively as the (R) and (S) forms

Organic compounds that also include one or more metal atoms

“Polyethylene terephthalate” (polyethene benzene – 1,4- dicarboxylate) – used to make lightweight plastic bottles

Poly(ethene) Note that Polythene is an ICI trade name

A substance which, though not itself a catalyst, improves the effectiveness of the catalyst – promoters may act chemically or physically

Groups of atoms that are placed temporarily on parts of a molecule which need to be protected from a reagent to be used in one of the synthetic steps needed to make the final product . These protecting groups are removed afterwards.

An equal mixture of the two optical isomers of a compound, being therefore optically inactive

The process of producing an equal mixture of the two optical isomers of a compound

 These are a variety of techniques used to analyse and manipulate DNA. They include methods to modify genes and construct new genes. The techniques also include ways to express new and modified genes to yield protein products.

The process of synthesising a suitable material from another less suitable one

A bacterium used to provide the enzymes used in the biocatalytic manufacture of Propeneamide.  This bacterium is able to use organic substances as its sole source of carbon for growth

The fusing of individual solid particles caused by heating.

Reacting mainly with only one optical isomer

In the proportions indicated by the chemical equation

A substance which, though not itself a catalyst, improves the effectiveness of the catalyst by providing a suitable structure

Carbon dioxide at a temperature and pressure such that distinct liquid and gas phases do not occur

Tetraacetyl ethylenediamine is used in some washing powder detergents to enable peroxide-based bleaches to work at lower temperatures

A metallocene compound containing the metal titanium

Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly(ethene)

A group of aluminosilicate materials, some of which occur in nature. They are widely used as catalysts and as catalyst supports.

Developer of organo-metallic catalysts (known as Ziegler Catalysts) for production of plastics – shared Nobel Prize with Natta

A metallocene compound containing the metal zirconium