Researchers at The University of Manchester have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in catalyst technology.
They’ve developed a brand new catalyst which has been shown to have a wide selection of uses and the potential to streamline optimisation processes in industry and support recent scientific discoveries.
Catalysts, often considered the unsung heroes of chemistry, are instrumental in accelerating chemical reactions, and play a vital role within the creation of most manufactured products. For instance, the production of polyethylene, a typical plastic utilized in various on a regular basis items akin to bottles and containers or present in cars to convert harmful gases from the engine’s exhaust into less harmful substances.
Amongst these, ruthenium — a platinum group metal — has emerged as a very important and commonly used catalyst. Nonetheless, while a robust and cost-effective material, highly reactive ruthenium catalysts have long been hindered by their sensitivity to air, posing significant challenges of their application. This implies their use has to this point been confined to highly trained experts with specialised equipment, limiting the total adoption of ruthenium catalysis across industries.
Today, within the journal Nature Chemistry, scientists at The University of Manchester working with collaborators at global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca unveil a ruthenium catalyst proven to be long-term stable in air while maintaining the high reactivity needed to facilitate transformative chemical processes.
Lead creator Gillian McArthur, PhD student at The University of Manchester, said: “We’re extremely enthusiastic about this discovery. Our recent ruthenium catalyst boasts unparalleled reactivity, while maintaining stability in air — a feat previously thought unattainable.
“In addition to eliminating the necessity for specialised equipment or handling procedures, it also enables the user to run simultaneous reactions, facilitating rapid screening and streamlining optimisation procedures. This implies procedures are quicker, more environmentally friendly and the buildup of huge amounts of waste is prevented.”
The invention allows for easy handling and implementation processes and has shown versatility across a big selection of chemical transformations, making it accessible for non-specialist users to take advantage of ruthenium catalysis. Collaborative efforts with AstraZeneca display this recent catalyst’s applicability to industry, particularly in developing efficient and sustainable drug discovery and manufacturing processes.
Dr James Douglas, Director of High-Throughput Experimentation who collaborated on the project from AstraZeneca said: “Catalysis is a critical technology for AstraZeneca and the broader biopharmaceutical industry, especially as we glance to develop and manufacture the following generation of medicines in a sustainable way. This recent catalyst is an ideal addition to the toolbox and we’re starting to explore and understand its industrial applications.”
The brand new approach has already led to the invention of latest reactions which have never been reported with ruthenium and with its enhanced versatility and accessibility, the researchers anticipate further advancements and innovations in the sphere.
