Researchers developed a novel multifaceted catalyst to access transient carbocation intermediates, achieving regiocontrolled elimination reactions. The new catalyst produces ring-shaped molecules highly sought after in synthetic, organic, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual list of 10 promising chemistry start-ups, focusing on innovative solutions for drug discovery, waste recycling, sustainable materials, and quantum computing. Companies like Aryballe and Evrnu are developing groundbreaking technologies to address pressing global challenges.
Researchers at TalTech have created a mechanochemical synthesis method that produces chemicals faster and with fewer environmental impacts. The technique replaces solvent-based processes, reducing toxic waste and speeding up production time.
A Virginia Tech chemistry lab has successfully split water molecules into hydrogen fuel and oxygen gas, paving the way for a renewable energy future. The team's new technique reassembles a catalyst to improve efficiency and stability, solving a key barrier in the process.
The American Chemical Society's 'Talented 12' program recognizes early-career researchers tackling difficult global challenges. This year's class includes innovators in chemistry, biobased building blocks, and faster reagents. They will be featured in this week's issue of CEN.
A new study introduces a virtual escape room game that mimics cooperative learning, allowing undergraduate students to solve chemistry problems and 'escape' a chocolate factory theme. The game promotes effective collaboration and provides an engaging alternative to traditional lab activities.
Researchers at Michigan Tech and University of Edinburgh highlight the importance of understanding virus surface stability and interaction in various environmental conditions. They propose new techniques for studying surface chemistry, which could help design effective vaccines and treatments for SARS-CoV-2 and future pandemics.
Researchers from the Advanced Science Research Center at CUNY will explore new methods of chemical synthesis using mechanical force. The team aims to develop predictive rules that anticipate how reactive chemicals respond to mechanical stress, leading to more efficient and sustainable chemical syntheses.
A new 'lab-on-a-chip' technology has been developed to monitor swimming pools more affordably and reliably, improving water safety for Australians. The sensor can accurately measure chlorine and pH levels, reducing the risk of infection from incorrect pool chemistry.
A Cornell-led collaboration has developed a new electrochemical reaction that enables the creation of chiral molecules, crucial for drug synthesis. The breakthrough could lead to the manufacture of a host of new, low-cost drugs with improved efficacy and reduced production costs.
Scientists developed a new experimental approach to study chemistry at very low temperatures, revealing specific molecular properties and providing more accurate theories. The approach uses laser-excited molecules in the same direction, allowing for a better understanding of molecular interactions.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a new molecule that can be used to create high-quality indium nitride, enabling its use in high-frequency electronics. The indium triazenide molecule allows for epitaxial growth of indium nitride on silicon carbide substrates, producing extremely pure material.
James Tour, a Rice University chemist, has won the Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize for his groundbreaking work in materials chemistry with applications in medicine and nanotechnology. The award recognizes his research group's contributions over 32 years.
Researchers at Brain Chemistry Labs have developed a new blood test that can diagnose ALS earlier than current methods, using brain exosomes and microRNA. The test, based on genetic material shed by different tissues, distinguishes between ALS patients and healthy controls with high accuracy.
A new study from the University of Washington reveals that underrepresented students are more likely to drop out of STEM courses due to lower grades in general chemistry. However, if they complete the first course with a minimum grade, they are more persistent and continue in STEM. The study suggests that teaching methods, including tr...
Researchers at University of Freiburg developed a novel, stable oxidizing agent that overcomes common disadvantages of existing oxidants. The new reagent allows for the synthesis of reactive species in standard laboratory solvents and has broad applicability in inorganic, organic chemistry, electrochemical research.
Researchers at CSIC pioneer the use of whole living cells in dynamic combinatorial chemistry systems to discover new bioactive molecules. This methodology has great potential in rapidly identifying new molecules with potential biological activity, and could lead to faster discovery of bioactive compounds.
Researchers at MSU solved the long-standing enigma of the magnesium dimer's high-lying vibrational states using advanced computational methods. The team's findings, published in Science Advances, provide new insights into the molecule's behavior and pave the way for future experimental studies.
The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the chemistry industry, with academic jobs facing hiring freezes and reduced pay. Despite this, certain sectors like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are experiencing increased demand and hiring opportunities.
Chris Vanderwal has made significant contributions to the field of heterocyclic chemistry, particularly in the development of short chemical synthesis strategies for natural products. He is being recognized for his outstanding research on complex, bioactive natural compounds with various therapeutic properties.
Researchers created a well-defined supramolecular structure that pushes the 20-nanometer scale, overcoming a major obstacle in supramolecular chemistry. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials with unique functions and properties.
Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new technique for creating chains of molecular rings that do not use standard chemical interactions but instead contact with large molecular surfaces. This discovery helps answer an old contradiction in classical chemistry and provides new prospects for molecular cyclization.
Researchers propose that Mercury's surface chemistry lab, fueled by solar winds and hot temperatures, can produce ice over a period of 3 million years. This process could account for up to 10% of Mercury's total ice reserves.
Chemists at the University of Miami have created an artificial enzyme with improved catalytic abilities. The new molecule is designed to tackle chemical reactions in industrial settings and could lead to the development of more efficient biofuel production, drug creation, and other applications.
Researchers have developed a nanoscale 4D printing technique that combines nanolithography, microfluidics, and organic chemistry to create synthetic surfaces with precise structures and tailored chemical composition. This technology has potential applications in drug research, biosensor development, and advanced optics.
Researchers from the University of Geneva have developed a new technique for tying molecules together, resulting in modified mechanical properties. The method uses fatty molecules that self-assemble into knots without losing material, allowing for analysis of changes in mechanical properties.
Chenfeng Ke, an assistant professor at Dartmouth College, has been awarded the 2020 Cram Lehn Pedersen Prize for his groundbreaking work on supramolecular chemistry. His research focuses on developing dynamic systems and macroscopic machinery materials that operate cohesively at the molecular level.
Jakoah Brgoch and Judy Wu are recognized as 2020 Sloan Research Fellows for their groundbreaking research in computational and experimental inorganic chemistry. Their work has the potential to revolutionize fields such as energy, manufacturing, and neuroscience.
Researchers from CSU's HOMEChem experiment found sharp spikes in hypochlorous acid and chlorine when mopping floors with bleach, revealing a new world of indoor chemistry. The team also observed interactions between nitrogen and ammonia emissions from cooking with cleaning products.
Xu is being honored for her efforts to recruit women, underrepresented minorities, and first-generation college students to the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and biomedical sciences and engineering. She has led a laboratory pursuing research at the interface of chemistry, biology, engineering, and medicine.
A Yale-led research team outlines key principles for a green chemistry future, emphasizing the importance of systemic sustainability in all chemical processes. The paper highlights recent achievements in green chemistry and its potential to revolutionize various industries, from energy generation to electronics.
Lin X. Chen, a senior chemist at Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University professor, has received the 2020 Award in Experimental Physical Chemistry for her fundamental contributions to elucidating excited state structures, dynamics, and energetics of light harvesting systems.
This special issue of Science explores safer and more sustainable chemicals to address environmental and health concerns. Reviews argue for rethinking chemistry and considering inherent properties in early stages of design.
Professor Bruce Bursten, a WPI chemistry and biochemistry professor, has received the ACS Award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry. The award recognizes his significant contributions to inorganic electronic structure and bonding, as well as his inspirational teaching and leadership.
Researchers have improved the efficiency of organic solar technologies by tweaking the underlying chemistry, boosting power output from 1% to 18%. The new approach uses non-fullerene acceptors, which can be shaped, colored, and semi-transparent, offering advantages over traditional silicon-based solar cells.
The American Chemical Society's Year in Chemistry 2019 special issue features top research trends, including advances in machine-learning, microplastics, and 3-D printing. Experts predict further AI advancements and greener processes for making nitrogen-based compounds and materials in 2020.
A University of Arizona-led team used air-based maps of plant chemistry to better understand tropical forest responses to climate change. By combining traditional on-the-ground measurements with aerial data, researchers improved carbon cycling models and gained insights into the role of forests in the global carbon cycle.
The American Chemical Society has identified 10 emerging start-ups revolutionizing the field of chemistry, from pharmaceuticals to green chemistry processes. These companies are addressing global issues such as microcontaminant removal, sustainable materials, and climate change.
Chemistry Professor Siegfried R. Waldvogel from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has received the 2020 Manuel M. Baizer Award, an international recognition of his pioneering work in electrochemistry and its applications. The award highlights Waldvogel's contributions to sustainable chemical product manufacturing through electrosynth...
University of Houston assistant professor Judy Wu is examining a connection between noncovalent interactions and aromaticity, which could control the strengths of noncovalent interactions for drug and materials discovery. Her project aims to bridge computer models with practical impacts in biomedical research.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen are establishing a new center to study catalysis on high-entropy alloys, aiming to develop sustainable chemistry alternatives. The project aims to identify materials capable of combining carbon and oxygen-containing molecules to produce valuable chemicals.
The Italian Chemical Society and Elsevier have recognized three young chemists for their outstanding research in Italy. The Reaxys SCI Early Career Researcher Award highlights the work of these talented individuals, who are making significant contributions to the field of chemistry.
Patrick M. Woster, Ph.D., has been inducted into the Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to the field, including the discovery of novel therapeutics such as antimalarial and antibacterial agents. His work also emphasizes the crucial role of medicinal chemists in the drug discovery pipeline.
The American Chemical Society has unveiled its annual 'Talented 12' list, recognizing young chemists tackling world-class problems. This year's class features researchers developing new materials, analyzing proteins, and creating innovative treatments for human diseases.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Institute for Green Science unveiled a new field of sustainable chemistry using bioinspired oxidation catalysts. The catalysts, called NewTAMLs, can eliminate pharmaceutical micropollutants from water in under five minutes and have major cost savings over current water treatment techniques.
Researchers at Insilico Medicine have developed a new molecular descriptor, MCE-18, which estimates molecular complexity and defines the evolution of small molecules in medicinal chemistry. The study reveals that modern drug development is becoming more qualitative and smarter, with higher degrees of 3D complexity.
A new method for synthesizing and evaluating large numbers of potential drug leads has been developed by the University of Groningen. This technique uses acoustic dispensing to create thousands of variant molecules in a high-throughput system, making it possible to quickly identify promising candidates.
A team of UT Austin chemists has received a $1 million grant to develop an innovative new coating for silicon-based solar cells that could increase their efficiency by up to 20%. The coating uses organic dyes to convert more sunlight into electricity, reducing heat losses and energy inefficiencies.
Researchers at Osaka City University develop a quantum algorithm to determine spin quantum numbers on quantum computers, enabling accurate wave function calculations. This breakthrough solves complex issues in chemistry and physics, accelerating the development of practical quantum computers.
Scientists from the University of Bristol and ETH Zurich have developed an interactive VR software framework that enables humans to train machine-learning algorithms using 'on-the-fly' quantum mechanics calculations. This allows for high-quality training data generation, improving machine learning models and accelerating scientific dis...
Researchers employed high-speed lasers to study the mechanisms of H3+ creation and its unusual chemistry. They discovered six potential pathways for H3+ formation and found that certain laser pulses enhance or discourage formation.
Masayuki Wasa, a Boston College Assistant Professor of Chemistry, has been awarded a prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship. He will use the $70,000 award to further his research on developing novel catalysts for biologically active molecules and pharmaceuticals.
A new soy-based adhesive, created using Maillard chemistry, shows promise as a non-toxic alternative for food packaging. The adhesive, made from natural proteins and sugars, is stronger than Gorilla Glue on wood and has the potential to replace toxic petroleum-based adhesives.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a new technique to map elemental distributions in metal nanoparticles, potentially leading to more efficient catalysts for energy converting systems. The breakthrough uses spectroscopic single particle reconstruction to reveal atomic-scale chemistry in metal nanoparticles.
Two chemistry preprint servers, ChemRxiv and ChemRN, have gained traction since their launch in 2017, allowing chemists to share discoveries freely before peer review. The sites provide a platform for quick sharing of results, feedback from peers, and increased access to research, especially for scientists in developing countries.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) reviewed 2018's top research stories, including machine learning and new solutions for plastic waste. Experts predict key advances in 2019, such as automated chemical synthesis and analysis, and solid-state battery technologies.
Researchers at the University of Malaga have discovered that sulfur atoms can exhibit both donative and repulsive behavior, leading to the creation of more stable and functional organic diradicals. These findings have significant implications for various scientific fields, including chemistry and environmental science.
Cameron R. Homeyer, a University of Oklahoma meteorologist, will lead a $30 million NASA-funded project to investigate the impact of summer storms on the stratosphere's chemistry. The five-year project aims to understand how these storms affect ozone depletion and the potential for increased water in the stratosphere.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a synthetic molecule that can recognize and bind to double-stranded DNA or RNA under normal physiological conditions. The Janus gamma PNAs have an extraordinarily high binding energy and can be designed to target genomic DNA for gene editing and transcriptional regulation.
These start-ups are using chemistry to fight disease, control agricultural pests, and make safer lithium-ion batteries. The selected companies have ignited investor interest with their groundbreaking ideas.