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Microwaving waste cooking oil into useful chemicals

A team from Kyushu University has developed a zeolite catalyst that can be heated using microwaves to speed up the conversion of fatty acid esters to olefins. This process improves energy efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide production, offering a more sustainable chemical industry.

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

New additive process can make better — and greener — high-value chemicals

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed an eco-friendly method to precisely mix fluorine into olefins using natural enzymes and light, offering a more efficient strategy for creating high-value chemicals with potential applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, renewable fuels and more.

Tiny microbes could brew big benefits for green biomanufacturing

Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023

Crystal phase-dependent activity of MnGaOx observed in direct syngas to light olefins

Researchers observed strong crystal phase-dependent activity of MnGaOx in direct syngas conversion. The HCP oxide remained unchanged after reduction, while the FCC solid solution oxide transformed into a spinel structure with improved catalytic performance.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 28, 2023

Metalloradical catalysis guides new cobalt-based system that exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction

Researchers at Boston College have developed a new catalytic approach that enables concurrent control of multiple convergences and selectivities in intermolecular amination of allylic carbon-hydrogen bonds in alkenes. The cobalt-based system exploits unique features of homolytic radical reaction to form desired amine products in a high...

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Algae as microscopic biorefineries

Researchers introduce synthetic catalysts into algae cells, enabling chemical reaction upgrades to produce building blocks for polymers and chemicals. The process reduces reliance on fossil raw materials, using atmospheric carbon dioxide as a carbon source.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 29, 2022

Process to customize molecules does double duty

Researchers at Rice University have developed a chemical process that can add two distinct functional groups to single alkenes, a breakthrough in drug design and materials science. The process uses manganese catalysts and photocalysts to enable radical ligand transfer, allowing for the creation of unique molecules.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 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

Princeton Chemistry reports method for direct “uphill” isomerization of numerous olefin classes

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a method to generate less-stable olefins from internal olefins catalytically, utilizing photocatalysis and chromium co-catalysis. This innovation allows for the conversion of internal olefins into terminal olefins, which are useful starting points in various chemical processes.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Stanford engineers create catalyst that can turn carbon dioxide into gasoline 1,000 times more efficiently

Researchers at Stanford University have created a new catalyst that can convert carbon dioxide into gasoline up to 1,000 times more efficiently than existing standards. The breakthrough allows for the production of long-chain hydrocarbons, making it easier to handle and store, with potential applications in a carbon-neutral cycle.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Simple iodine will speed up drug discovery

Researchers from Osaka University have developed a sustainable method for synthesizing vicinal diamines, crucial in medications for influenza and colorectal cancer. The process uses molecular iodine as a catalyst, reducing the need for rare and toxic metals.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 15, 2021

Vitamin boosts essential synthetic chemistry

Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel method for producing olefins, or alkenes, using vitamin B12 and blue light, eliminating harsh chemicals typically needed in the process. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable production of drugs, agrochemicals, and plastics.

SourceRice University·JournalChemical Science·DateDec 8, 2020

In a hurry to develop drugs? Here's your cHAT

Rice University scientists have developed a novel 'green' method for producing pharmaceutical intermediates using the cooperative hydrogen atom transfer (cHAT) technique. This approach employs earth-abundant iron and sulfur as catalysts, reducing costs and environmental impact compared to traditional methods.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 30, 2020

Chemical juggling with three particles

Chemists from Bonn University and Columbia University have discovered a novel catalytic method that can produce Markovnikov alcohols, previously thought to be impossible. The new mechanism uses two catalysts and strictly coordinated reactions to achieve the desired outcome without by-products.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateMay 23, 2019

Cooperative catalysts offer unique route to alkenes

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a novel two-component catalyst system that performs the dehydrogenation reaction at room temperature. This method produces hydrogen gas and an alkene molecule without requiring high temperatures or precious metals, opening up new possibilities for chemical transformations.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2015