Researchers discovered a hidden factor that can determine whether chemical reactions succeed or fail, and then used it to boost the proportion of the desired product from 16% to 97%. By controlling acidity near electrodes, they developed a promising way to manufacture chemicals for plastics, medicines, and other products using oxygen and electricity instead of hazardous added oxidants. Scientists discover a hidden factor that can make or break chemical reactions.
Scientists discover a hidden factor that can make or break chemical reactions Science News from research organizations Scientists discover a hidden factor that can make or break chemical reactions Scientists uncovered a hidden chemical variable and used it to boost reaction selectivity from 16% to 97%, potentially transforming how everyday materials are manufactured. By controlling tiny changes in acidity near electrodes, researchers dramatically improved the production of valuable chemical ingredients, raising the proportion of the desired product from about 16% to 97%. The breakthrough, led by Professor Jaeyune Ryu of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Seoul National University College of Engineering, could help make chemical manufacturing safer, cleaner, and more efficient.
The researchers developed a method that uses oxygen and electricity to produce compounds used in plastics, medicines, adhesives, and other everyday materials without requiring the separate addition of peroxide oxidants. Their discovery centers on a surprisingly overlooked factor called "local pH," which describes the acidity or alkalinity in the immediate surroundings of an electrode. By redesigning a chemical reactor to control the distance between electrodes and the movement of liquid through the system, the team found a way to manage these conditions and greatly improve the reaction’s performance.
The work focused on two important families of chemicals: lactones and epoxides.
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