Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a ruthenium catalyst with a wide range of uses.
The new ruthenium catalyst is a groundbreaking advancement and has the potential to streamline the optimisation process in the industry.
Scientists at The University of Manchester, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, developed the catalyst, which has proven to remain stable in the air for the long term while maintaining the high reactivity required to facilitate transformative chemical processes.
The work has been published in Nature Chemistry.
The importance of catalysts in the chemical industry
Chemists often consider catalysts as the unsung heroes of chemistry. They are crucial in accelerating chemical reactions and play an instrumental role in the creation of manufactured products.
For example, catalysts play an important role in the production of polyethylene – a common plastic used in various everyday items.
Previous problems with ruthenium catalysts
Ruthenium is a platinum group metal that has emerged as an important and commonly used catalyst.
However, despite being a cost-effective material, highly reactive ruthenium catalysts have faced hindrances due to their sensitivity to air. This poses significant challenges in their application.
Because of this, their use so far has been confined to highly trained experts with specialised equipment – limiting the full adoption of ruthenium catalysis across industries.
Ruthenium’s new potential as a catalyst
The new catalyst developed by the team overcomes this issue with its unparalleled reactivity and stability in the air.
Lead author Gillian McArthur, PhD student at The University of Manchester, said: “As well as eliminating the need for specialised equipment or handling procedures, it also enables the user to run simultaneous reactions, facilitating rapid screening and streamlining optimisation procedures.
“This means procedures are quicker, more environmentally friendly, and the accumulation of large amounts of waste is prevented.”
The new catalyst will enable sustainable drug discovery
The discovery allows for simple handling and implementation processes and has shown versatility across a wide array of chemical transformations. This makes it accessible for non-specialist users to exploit ruthenium catalysis.
AstraZeneca has demonstrated the new catalyst’s applicability to the industry, showing its potential in developing efficient drug discovery and manufacturing processes.
The new approach has resulted in discovering new reactions never before reported with ruthenium.
Considering its enhanced versatility and accessibility, the team anticipate further advancements for the new catalyst.
