The Swiss Industrial Biocatalysis Consortium (SIBC) hit a major milestone in 2024. They celebrated two decades of uniting professionals from various industries. These industries include pharmaceuticals, flavors and fragrances, fine chemicals, and agrochemicals. They all came together to talk about t
Chemists have found a clever way to add boron to certain types of molecules. They used a special copper-based catalyst to make this happen. This catalyst is made with a bulky guanidine ligand. It is a type of molecule that helps the copper do its job. This process is called protoborylation. It is a
The quest for effective environmental cleanup and energy solutions has led to a fascinating discovery. A unique material has been created to mimic nature's own cleanup processes. This material is made from platinum nanoparticles supported on a thin layer of graphdiyne and graphene. The secret lie
Scientists have been looking into ways to break down Trichloroethylene (TCE) because it is bad for both people and the planet. TCE is a solvent often used in factories. One interesting method is using light to speed up a chemical reaction. The process involves shining ultraviolet (UV) ligh
Catalysts are vital in tackling air pollution, specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are everywhere, from paints to cleaning supplies, and they're harmful when inhaled. To make catalysts more effective at breaking down VOCs, scientists have been working on improving their
The world of organic chemistry is buzzing with excitement over a new type of catalyst. This catalyst uses visible light to drive chemical reactions. Most of the focus has been on oxygen and nitrogen-based catalysts, like acridinium and pyrylium salts. However, sulfur-based catalysts have been largel
Hydrogen is a big deal for clean energy. It is a clean fuel. It can be made from water using electricity. This process is called water splitting. Scientists have been working on making this process better. They want it to be more efficient, last longer, and cost less. One way to do this is by
The world of chemistry is full of surprises. Rare-earth elements have been in the spotlight for their ability to catalyze reactions between certain molecules and alkenes. For a long time, scientists focused on how these elements drive reactions forward. They saw the substrates, like 2-ethylpyridine,
In the world of chemistry, there's a lot of buzz about finding greener ways to do things. One cool development is using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a building block in reactions. This isn't just about reducing waste. It's also about creating useful compounds in a more eco-friendly way. One interesting
Scientists found interesting chemicals in soil bacteria. These chemicals have a special group called dichloromethyl. This group is new to a type of natural product called pyranones and furanones. The bacteria that make these chemicals live in the soil of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The plateau is hig
