Iridium-catalyzed Z-retentive asymmetric allylic substitution reactions
In synthetic organic chemistry, Z-olefins are a challenging synthetic target to produce in the lab due to their relative thermodynamic instability. The Z-olefins form an unsaturated compound with a CnH2n formula that can be readily isomerized. Analog.....»»
Imaging tool under development exposes concealed detonators—and their charge
Behold the neutron, the middle child of subatomic particles. At times overshadowed by its electrically charged siblings the proton and the electron, neutrons quietly play important roles in national security. They start nuclear reactions for weapons.....»»
High magnetic fields control both rate and product of chemical reactions
Recently, using the SM1 superconducting magnet, a large scientific device with a steady-state high magnetic field, scientists carried out research on special functional materials and found that high magnetic fields can effectively regulate the rate,.....»»
Arginine methylation in global control of RNA splicing and translation
Thousands of proteins undergo arginine N-methylation, a widespread post-translational modification catalyzed by several protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) that covalently link methyl groups to arginine side chains. Nine PRMTs, PRMT1 to PRMT9.....»»
Chemical reactions break free from energy barriers using flyby trajectories
A new study shows that it is possible to use mechanical force to deliberately alter chemical reactions and increase chemical selectivity—a grand challenge of the field......»»
Scientists develop a new tool for measuring radio waves in fusion plasmas
Scientists seeking to bring to Earth the fusion energy that drives the sun and stars use radio frequency (RF) waves—the same waves that bring radio and television into homes—to heat and drive current in the plasma that fuels fusion reactions. Sci.....»»
More complex than we thought: The body"s reaction to contact allergens
Many people react to contact allergens, but some patients develop rashes and itching much faster than others. Previously the scientists were unable to explain why, but now researchers have outlined an entire new subgroup of allergic reactions which e.....»»
Tiny tools: Controlling individual water droplets as biochemical reactors
Miniaturization is rapidly reshaping the field of biochemistry, with emerging technologies such as microfluidics and "lab-on-a-chip" devices taking the world by storm. Chemical reactions that were normally conducted in flasks and tubes can now be car.....»»
PcFe-catalyzed radical phosphinoylazidation of alkenes with a fast azido transfer step
Phosphinoylazidation of alkenes is a direct method to build nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing compounds from feedstock chemicals. Notwithstanding the advances in other phosphinyl radical related difunctionalization of alkenes, catalytic phosphinoyl.....»»
Cancer: Immunotherapies without side effects?
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the field of cancer treatment. However, inflammatory reactions in healthy tissues frequently trigger side effects that can be serious. Scientists have succeeded in establishing the differences between deleterious immu.....»»
Mixed Reactions to GitHub"s AI-Powered Pair Programmer "Copilot"
Reactions are starting to come in for GitHub's new Copilot coding tool, which one site calls "a product of the partnership between Microsoft and AI research and deployment company OpenAI — which Microsoft invested $1 billion into two years ago......»»
Catalyzing the conversion of biomass to biofuel
Zeolites are extremely porous materials: Ten grams can have an internal surface area the size of a soccer field. Their cavities make them useful in catalyzing chemical reactions and thus saving energy. An international research team has now made new.....»»
A 50% rise in carbon dioxide level could reduce rainfall in the Amazon more than deforestation
A 50% rise in the level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere could reduce rainfall in the Amazon as much as or even more than substitution of the entire forest by pasture. The rise in CO2 would reduce the amount of water vapor emitted by the for.....»»
Gut Reactions: Microbes in the Digestive Tract Influence COVID Severity
Our resident bacteria help regulate the immune system and response to infections -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Scientists can predict and design single atom catalysts for important chemical reactions
Researchers at Tufts University, University College London (UCL), Cambridge University and University of California at Santa Barbara have demonstrated that a catalyst can indeed be an agent of change. In a study published today in Science, they used.....»»
Mixing solutions in the world"s smallest test tubes
Researchers based at the University of Manchester have demonstrated a new method for imaging live chemical reactions with atomic resolution using nanoscale test tubes created using two-dimensional (2D) materials......»»
Binder-free MWW-type titanosilicate for selective and durable propylene epoxidation
Propylene oxide (PO) is one of the important propylene derivatives with high reactivity, which is used extensively as a raw material for the manufacture of numerous commercial chemicals. The titanosilicate-catalyzed hydrogen peroxide propylene oxide.....»»
Visualizing cement hydration on a molecular level
The concrete world that surrounds us owes its shape and durability to chemical reactions that start when ordinary Portland cement is mixed with water. Now, MIT scientists have demonstrated a way to watch these reactions under real-world conditions, a.....»»
Scientists demonstrate a better, more eco-friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used to disinfect minor cuts at home and for oxidative reactions in industrial manufacturing. Now, the pandemic has further fueled demand for this chemical and its antiseptic properties. While affordable at the grocery sto.....»»
Isolating an elusive missing link
The water oxidation reaction (WOR) is one of the most important reactions on the planet since it is the source of nearly all the atmosphere's oxygen. Understanding its intricacies can hold the key to improve the efficiency of the reaction. Unfortunat.....»»
Hubble captures a wonky galaxy being pulled out of shape
Most galaxies, like our own Milky Way, tend to be symmetrical. However, sometimes a dramatic event can happen to a galaxy and pull it into an asymmetric shape......»»