Department of Physical Chemistry, Catalysis and Petrochemistry, was established in August, 2011, by unification of two departments:

• Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry

• Catalysis and petrochemistry

Each of them have their own rich history.

Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, was established in 1936, in the Faculty of Chemistry, in Kazakh State University named after S.M. Kirov. The department was at the beginnings of development for physical chemistry in Kazakhstan. 

Heads of the Department in the years of its formation were known scientists as A.N. Nikishin, N.A. Bushmakin, I.A. Shtifman, D.V. Sokolsky, A.I. Shlygin, A.V. Dumanskii, E.K. Pichugina, H.K. Ospanov, M.K. Aldabergenov. A huge contribution to the development of physical chemistry, introduced one of the greatest chemists of the last century, academician M.I. Usanovich (headed the department in the period 1944-1972), fundamental ideas, which in the theory of solutions, physical and chemical analysis, the theory of acids and bases, determined the emergence and development of a number for scientific fields. One of the remarkable achievements of M.I. Usanovich is proposed "Generalized theory of acids and bases".

By Usanovich, acids are all substances, which can react with the bases to form salts.

Very many of these compounds do not contain hydrogen in their composition. In particular, the acid should be assigned all cations. Amphoteric interpreted as follows: in general, all polar substances are an amphoteric. The ability of substances to react as an acid or a base, in dependence on the nature of corresponding coreagent, proves appropriate relative character of chemical properties. Reactions between substances, having opposite (acidic or basic) properties, lead to the weakening, however neither to the complete disappearance of these properties. Hence, Usanovich made the inevitable conclusion that acidity and basicity - properties inherent in varying degrees to each substance, rather unrelated with belonging for the definite class of compounds.

From 1983 to 2003, the Department was headed by Doctor of Chemistry, professor, academician of the International Academy of Mineral Resources, honored inventor of the Kazakh SSR, H.K. Ospanov.

On this principle, the series of important conclusions have been established, that constituting the basis of a new law, which allows to conclude about the reactive ability of compounds without preliminarily experimental research. Practical results of these researches are introduced at various enterprises of the USSR. Acclaim in the scientific world got 4 discoveries in the field of physical chemistry of H.K. Ospanov.

Department of catalysis and petrochemistry was organized in 1945, by academician of SA of the Kazakh SSR, D.V. Sokolskii.

The Department was headed by:

 1945-1970, "The Department of Technical Chemistry and Catalysis" - academician of SA of the Kazakh SSR, D.V. Sokolskiy.

1970-1976, "The Department of Technical Chemistry and Catalysis" - Ph.D., Associate Professor, K.K. Dzhardamalieva 

1976-2001, "Department of Catalysis and Petrochemicals" - Member – correspondent of NAS RK, Prof. K.A. Zhubanov 

2001-2009, "Department of catalysis, colloid chemistry and petrochemistry" - Prof. K.B. Musabekov. 

2010 – 2011, - Prof. EA Aubakirov. 

Academician of SA of the Kazakh SSR, D.V. Sokolskii was the founder of the school of catalytic chemistry in Kazakhstan, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor, Honored Scientist of the Kazakh SSR, Hero of Socialist Labor.

The main direction of scientific activity of D.V. Sokolskii was to develop a theory of catalytic hydrogenation of A.A. Balandin, which was applied to reactions in the liquid phase, using an electrochemical method of measuring the potential of the powdered metallic catalyst.

Great contribution D.V. Sokolskii made in work on the catalytic purification of gases, which were first launched in the former Soviet Union. Under his leadership, developed researches, in the field of hydration of acetylene, oxidation of simple molecules of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, study of Ziegler-Natt catalysts, protection of metals against corrosion, hydrogenolysis of hydrocarbons, the use of clay for refining oil and clean tasting, hydrogenation of nitro compounds, processing of Kazakh oil fractions, etc. As a consequence of studies, had been developed and put into production a number of new catalysts and processes. Established by D.V. Sokolskii scientific school, successfully continued research in the development of new catalytic and electrochemical technologies for petrochemical processes, inorganic and organic synthesis, oil and gas processing.

From 1976 to 2001, the department was headed by a member – correspondent of NAS RK Prof. K.A. Zhubanov.

3) synthesis of a-oxy-stearic acid in Berdyansk oil plant; 4) processes of selective reduction of nitriles of stearic and oleic acids, acrylic nitrile, beta-decyl-oxy-propionitrile, nitrodiethylaniline, nitrobenzoiltcyan-acetic ester in Dolgoprudnensk plant of fine organic synthesis. Technology has been developed and were introduced into production 12 catalysts, according to technological conditions, for the above enterprises. Developed catalysts for the reduction of mono- and dinitrocompounds that have been tested for chemical plant in Leipzig. On the basis of modular mini-plants created technology of coal-petroleum-chemical synthesis. New efficient coal liquefaction processes were created by catalytic hydrogenolysis at low pressures (50-100 atm.) with 65-70% yield of light fractions and heavy hydrocarbons 25-30% by organic weight of carbon. Under the leadership of K.A. Zhubanov, in 8 large plants producing fats, detergents, isoprene, butyl alcohol, fuel elements for the film dyes, textiles, paper, flotation agents, methyl alcohol, and other rubbers stabilized, catalysts were introduced.