The group was created in 1990 and its main objective was the application of heterogeneous catalysis, in a wide sense, to organic reactions where selectivity, and particularly stereoselectivity, is crucial.

Within this general objective, the preparation of immobilized chiral catalysts is one of the key research subjects, given the interest of the enantiomerically pure compounds in fields such as drugs or agrochemicals. The heterogeneous catalysts present practical advantages (handling, separation, recovery and reuse), but in many cases these advantages do not justify the investment in the development of new immobilized chiral catalysts. One more recent research line of the group tries to find "added values" to this type of catalysts, such as new selectivities or the possibility of carrying out in one pot consecutive reactions with catalysts incompatible in homogeneous phase. Understanding the molecular aspects of the catalytic phenomenon is a key factor for improving results and for designing more efficient catalysts. Therefore, mechanistic studies, and particularly computational modeling of the catalytic systems, are also main goals for the group.

The development of more sustainable chemical processes passes through the use of the catalysis, as does the substitution of harmful chemicals by others more benign, coming from renewable sources. In the last years, the group has carried out an active work in this field.

The group has demonstrated all along his work a special interest in collaborating with industry for the development of more sustainable catalytic processes that will increase competitiveness.