Reaction & Synthesis

Making a desired product generally involves the transformation of raw materials via a chemical process. This typically occurs by reacting the materials or using another means to create the final product. Success in achieving such transformations more often than not requires sophisticated design and careful setting and control of operating conditions.

Articles

Courtesy of the researchers, edited by MIT News
MIT Conversion Process
Researchers say it’s the first work that has progressed into a much larger scale without sacrificing efficiency.
One-Pot Process Converts Aromatic Ketones to Aromatic Esters
The one-pot process simplifies synthesis, reduces reaction times and minimizes the need for additional purification steps.
Argonne National Laboratory/ Max Delferro
Catalyst boosts conversion
New catalyst breakthrough could mean cheaper, greener polypropylene production.
Feng Jiao
two-step system
Two-step electrochemical process uses a kW scale electrolyzer to convert carbon dioxide into high-quality multi-carbon products.

News

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Molecular structure of acetylene
March 31, 2025
Novel catalyst tackles contamination in polymerization processes.
Hydrogen Activation Catalyst Harnesses Boron and Sodium
March 21, 2025
Researchers started with the concept of frustrated Lewis pairs, which are incredibly reactive and capable of activating bonds in normally stable molecules.
Ethylene Oxide: ‘Save A Lot of CO2 And A Lot of Money’
Feb. 21, 2025
Nickel-silver catalyst makes toxic chemical production safer, greener.
Jeff Fitlow/Rice University
The new micellar technology
Feb. 12, 2025
Collaborative study could help pharmaceutical and other industries avoid the need for toxic solvents.
How Nuclear Fuel Behaves
Sept. 6, 2024
Experiments at Argonne National Laboratory provide insight into the fundamental behavior of actinide oxides at extreme temperatures.
Credit: Caltech/Chungkeun Shin
Different stages of a chemical reaction with the samarium diiodide reagent.
Aug. 23, 2024
Researchers unlocked the samarium–oxygen bond that forms during the reactions and renders the chemical inactive.
June 3, 2024
University of Oldenburg researchers in Germany experiment with precious-metals-free catalysts to chemically activate CO2.
May 13, 2024
Study demonstrates how biomass-derived SACs can catalyze the selective hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds.