Home » chemistry

Articles tagged with: ‘chemistry‘

Tech»

More efficient hybrid nanowire–nanoparticle palladium catalyst

By Maja Bosanac
9 March 2014

riken-palladium-catalyst-1Development of highly active and reusable solid catalysts based on precious metals, such as palladium (Pd), is crucial not only for organic syntheses but also for chemical and pharmaceutical processes. These rare and expensive catalytic materials are widely used in industry, so it is of great importance to find ways to minimize their consumption. Researchers… »

Tech»

Using phthaloyl peroxide to streamline the manufacture of phenols

By Damir Beciri
26 July 2013

wine-glass-1Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and University of California, Los Angeles, have discovered a new chemical reaction that has the potential to lower the cost and streamline the manufacture of compounds ranging from agricultural chemicals to pharmaceutical drugs. The reaction resolves a long-standing challenge in organic chemistry in creating phenolic compounds from… »

Tech»

Ultra-sensitive polymer able to detect explosives

By Damir Beciri
23 June 2013

dichtel-polymer-1A team of chemists at the Cornell University developed a polymer that could be used to detect a chemical that’s often the key ingredient in improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The polymer, which could find its use in low-cost, handheld explosive detectors and could be used to replace bomb-sniffing dogs, can be quickly and safely detected… »

Bionics»

Vampire bat venom may lead to novel drug design

By Maja Bosanac
21 June 2013

desmodusResearchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) School Of Biological Sciences have discovered that vampire bat poison contains molecules capable of evading the victim’s immune system. This research not only contributes to the better understanding of haematophagous animals venoms but also provides a rich resource for novel compounds that could be used in drug design… »

Bionics»

Medang tree provides key to greener chemistry

By Damir Beciri
18 June 2013

kingianin-1Researchers at the Research School of Chemistry of the Australian National University (RSC – ANU), Canberra, discovered that a rare tree found in Malaysia and Borneo holds the secret to greener chemical production. They managed to create a ten-step method which employs a new, environmentally friendly approach to replicate kingianins molecules found in the Medang… »

Tech»

Turning CO2 into useful carbon–boron synthetic reagents

By Damir Beciri
One Comment25 January 2013

riken-co2-into-catalystWhile some groups search for ways to lower and store carbon dioxide (CO2) gas emissions, there are efforts worldwide to convert this molecule into a chemical feedstock. Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute in Wako, Japan, developed the first protocol for attaching both CO2 and boron atoms to unsaturated carbon–carbon triple bonds. This protocol uses… »

Tech»

Using graphene oxide to remove radiation particles from liquids

By Damir Beciri
One Comment20 January 2013

rice-go-radionuclides-1While roboticists efforts to develop robots able to withstand exposure to high levels of radiation are helpful for needed actions and monitoring after disasters with increased levels of radiation, researchers at Rice University and Lomonosov Moscow State University have found that graphene oxide (GO) could actually be used to quickly remove radioactive material from contaminated water…. »

Tech»

Turning harmful greenhouse gas into drug reagents

By Damir Beciri
12 December 2012

prakash-fluoroform-fluorineOne man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and a team of chemists at University of Southern California (USC) managed to utilize an ozone-destroying greenhouse gas which previously had little practical use. They managed to transform fluoroform – a common byproduct in Teflon manufacture – into reagents that could be used in structurally elaborate pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals,… »