The huge international production network that makes whatever from our batteries to our fertilizers needs to turn the switch, too.A study from UChicago chemists found a way to utilize electrical energy to boost a type of chemical reaction typically used in manufacturing brand-new prospects for pharmaceutical drugs.Published on January 2 in the journal Nature Catalysis, the research is an advance in the field of electrochemistry and shows a path forward to creating and controlling reactions– and making them more sustainable. Credit: University of ChicagoThey played with a type of reaction that is commonly used in manufacturing chemicals for medication, to form a bond in between 2 carbon atoms.According to theoretical predictions, when this reaction is carried out using electricity, the yield from the reaction need to be 100%– that is, all the particles that went in are made into a single brand-new compound.”You get a near-clean response,” Wuttig said.Catalyzing ChangeMoreover, the group was able to utilize unique imaging strategies to enjoy the reactions unfold at the molecular level.
The large global manufacturing network that makes whatever from our batteries to our fertilizers requires to turn the switch, too.A study from UChicago chemists found a way to use electrical power to increase a type of chemical response frequently utilized in manufacturing new candidates for pharmaceutical drugs.Published on January 2 in the journal Nature Catalysis, the research is an advance in the field of electrochemistry and shows a course forward to creating and managing responses– and making them more sustainable. Wuttig and her group found a way to utilize electrical power to improve a type of chemical response often used in synthesizing new prospects for pharmaceutical drugs. Credit: University of ChicagoThey tinkered with a type of reaction that is commonly utilized in manufacturing chemicals for medication, to form a bond between two carbon atoms.According to theoretical forecasts, when this reaction is carried out using electrical energy, the yield from the reaction need to be 100%– that is, all the molecules that went in are made into a single new substance. When you really run the reaction in the lab, the yield is lower.The group thought the presence of the electrode was tempting some of the particles away from where they were needed throughout the response.”You get a near-clean reaction,” Wuttig said.Catalyzing ChangeMoreover, the team was able to utilize special imaging methods to enjoy the reactions unfold at the molecular level.