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Simulations provide map to treasure trove of fluorinated compounds

Researchers at Hokkaido University used computer simulations to discover a reaction that selectively adds two fluorine atoms to a difficult-to-access position on an N-heterocycle. The successful synthesis of 48 new compounds with unique alpha position fluorine substitutions has significant potential for novel drug development.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Synthesis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

An easier and safer way to synthesize medicines

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new method to synthesize medicines using carbenes, reducing the need for explosive intermediates. This breakthrough could enable faster production of cyclopropanes, a key ingredient in COVID-19 treatments and other medications.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Flashing creates hard-to-get 2D boron nitride

Rice chemists adapt flashing process to synthesize pure boron nitride and boron carbon nitride flakes with varying degrees of carbon. The flakes show promise as an effective anticorrosive coating, protecting copper surfaces up to 92% better than traditional compounds.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Iron catalyst could make important chemical reactions cheaper and more eco-friendly

Researchers have designed an iron catalyst to facilitate the olefin metathesis reaction, a widely applicable catalytic reaction for carbon-carbon double bond formation. The iron-based catalyst shows promise in reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional ruthenium-based catalysts.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2022

Researchers develop powerful strategy for creating new-to-nature enzymes

A team of researchers developed a simple yet powerful strategy for creating new enzymes with novel reactivity that can produce valuable chemical compounds. They used photobiocatalysis to repurpose naturally occurring enzymes and achieved an enantioselective biocatalytic reaction.

CO2 recycling and efficient drug development—tackling two problems with one reaction

Scientists at Hokkaido University have developed an electrochemical method to recycle waste CO2 while producing molecules useful for drug development. The method utilizes an electron added to either the CO2 molecule or another molecule in the solution, making it easier to react with each other.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 22, 2022

OSU research finds way to scrub carbon dioxide from factory emissions, make useful products

A team of OSU scientists has created a new technology that can scrub carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and convert it into valuable materials. The innovative Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks (LMOF) system uses CO2-rich gas conditions to produce functional materials with diverse applications.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2022

Korea Maritime & Ocean University shows new paths to capturing atmospheric greenhouse gas

Researchers at Korea Maritime & Ocean University have discovered a novel compound, β-HQ clathrates, that can capture both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere. The discovery provides valuable insights into the kinetics of trapping these greenhouse gases, which could lead to the development of new gas capture technologies.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2021

Simple method for converting carbon dioxide into useful compounds

Scientists at Kyoto University have created a simple method to convert CO2 into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), offering a promising approach to dispose of the greenhouse gas. The new technique, which requires lower temperatures and pressures, demonstrates potential for widespread adoption and could help mitigate global warming.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 5, 2021

Survival strategy of starving spruces trees: The critical role of reserves

Trees continue to form reserves even during long periods of starvation, contrary to the assumption that they only form when photosynthetic conditions are favorable. As CO2 starvation progresses, trees stabilize their reserve levels and divert resources to storage, allowing them to survive climate extremes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Activation of carbon-fluorine bonds via cooperation of a photocatalyst and tin

Researchers from Osaka University have successfully developed an organic reaction that selectively converts a specific carbon-fluorine bond in perfluorinated compounds to other functional groups. This breakthrough enables the synthesis of high-value fluorine-containing drugs, addressing a significant challenge in pharmaceutical applica...

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 2, 2021

Diamonds need voltage

Researchers have found that tiny diamonds can form in the presence of small electric fields, which play a central role in their creation. The experiments conducted by the Russian research team showed that applying less than one volt triggers a chemical transformation process, resulting in pure carbon in the form of diamond.

Cascades with carbon dioxide

Researchers develop a conceptually new process to produce cyclic carbonates from CO2 and basic building blocks, offering potential for biodegradable plastics and pharmaceutical intermediates. The process yields six-membered rings with great potential for creating new CO2-based polycarbonates.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 8, 2020

Core electron topologies in chemical bonding

A new benchmark quantum chemical calculation reveals a qualitative difference in the topologies of core electron orbitals between organic molecules and their silicon analogues. This discovery suggests that core electrons play a more significant role than previously thought, particularly in unsaturated compounds.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 12, 2018

A breakthrough for organic reactions in water

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a catalytic system that enables direct metal-mediated reactions between aryl halides and carbonyl compounds in water. This breakthrough could streamline synthetic sequences and make chemical products safer and more efficient.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2014

A new 'Kabuto-like' nickel catalyst forms bioactive frameworks from phenol derivatives

Researchers have developed a new nickel catalyst that catalyzes the cross-coupling reaction between carbonyl compounds and phenol derivatives to form alpha-arylketones, which are found in many biologically active compounds. The study has potential applications in synthesizing biologically active molecules and organic materials.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 27, 2014

Caltech chemists devise chemical reaction that holds promise for new drug development

A team of Caltech researchers has developed a method for synthesizing nitrogen-containing heterocycles, a subclass of organic compounds that could lead to new pharmaceuticals and natural products. The reaction enables chemists to create complex structures with high selectivity, solving a long-standing challenge in medicinal chemistry.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJan 12, 2012

Edible carbon dioxide sponge

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered edible compounds that efficiently detect, capture and store carbon dioxide. The porous crystals, made from sugar, salt and alcohol, are simple to prepare and turn red when full of CO2.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 23, 2011

Purdue, NASA research provides blueprint for molecular basis of global warming

Researchers at Purdue University and NASA found that compounds containing fluorine atoms are more efficient at blocking radiation, contributing to global warming. These compounds, such as chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur and nitrogen fluorides, have the potential to quickly slam the atmospheric window shut, unlike ca...

SourcePurdue University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateNov 17, 2009

Snatched from the air

Researchers have created a novel reaction scheme to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into methanol with minimal energy input. The method utilizes an N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst and silane as the reducing agent, enabling the use of air-borne CO2 as a renewable resource.

SourceWiley·DateApr 20, 2009

Building blocks of life formed on Mars

A Carnegie Institution-led team finds organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen in Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001, suggesting that building blocks of life formed on Mars early in its history. The discovery was made by analyzing the rock's association with iron oxide mineral magnetite.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalMeteoritics and Planetary Science·DateDec 11, 2007