Catalysis
The latest chemistry news and research on catalysis, including homogeneous, heterogeneous, industrial and biocatalysis, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World.
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FeatureAI agents accelerate catalyst discovery from simulation to scale-up
Artificial intelligence tools are transforming catalyst research, with new AI agents capable of completing in minutes what once took computational chemists days. Andy Extance explores how all scientists can benefit, from small groups to those at tech giants like Meta, Google and Nvidia
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ResearchPEGylated ligands boost speed and selectivity in mechanochemical arylations
Study highlights the power of tailoring ligands to mechanochemical conditions
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FeatureHow depolymerisation could enable infinite reuse of plastics
Nina Notman discovers how a type of chemical recycling – depolymerisation – could increase recycling rates, reduce plastic waste and enable a more circular economy
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ResearchClick chemistry toolbox expanded with 'forbidden' C–C bond forming reaction
Copper-catalysed addition produces functional links that should be compatible with biological systems
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PodcastBattery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling photocatalysts
Who will win the EV cathode race, manganese cobalt or iron phosphate? Plus, how a new photocatalyst could change the way we recycle batteries.
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ResearchNeat and uniform five-metal nanoparticle synthesis surprises scientists
Multimetallic particles could aid hydrogen economy, breaking down ammonia four times faster than ruthenium catalyst
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ResearchSilver bullet catalyst works magic transforming stable C–H bonds into amines
Method allows for late-stage, stereoselective aminations to drug-like molecules
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ResearchMethane zapped into plasma bubbles makes low-emission methanol
Process offers greener, electrified route to important feedstock chemical
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BusinessFatal incident at US catalyst refiner under investigation
Two dead and 21 injured at silver reclamation facility after chemical mixture released hydrogen sulfide
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ResearchCatalyst converts plastic waste into hydrogen and valuable chemical building blocks
Researchers reuse old car battery acid, simultaneously combining waste streams in move towards circular chemicals
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ResearchContra-thermodynamic stereochemical editing explained
How chemists are using light, enzymes and mechanical force to access higher‑energy stereoisomers without rebuilding a molecule from scratch
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ResearchUsing light to push stereochemistry uphill
While chemistry usually follows the downhill pull of thermodynamics, Alison Wendlandt is creating higher‑energy stereoisomers in the final stages of synthesis
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CareersSustainable laboratories: Recovering metals
How to scavenge platinum group metals from laboratory waste
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ResearchReliance on sacrificial agents misaligned with green hydrogen goals, scientists say
Call to rethink how photocatalytic hydrogen production is assessed and reported
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ResearchLow-cost, energy-efficient process shows potential for electrochemical propene production
Reaction makes use of specially designed metal oxide–ionic liquid catalyst
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FeatureFrustrated Lewis pairs mark 20 years of metal-free catalysis
James Mitchell Crow explains how an unexpected discovery in main group chemistry inspired two decades of chemical creativity, from carbon dioxide reduction to fluorocarbon recycling, offering sustainable alternatives to precious metal catalysis
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ResearchElectrostatic decatalysis offers a new way to suppress parasitic side reactions
Study demonstrates how charge engineering can deactivate competing reaction pathways to boost ammonia electrosynthesis
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ResearchNew studies highlight emerging potential of aluminium(I) chemistry
Aluminium redox catalysis and reactive aluminium clusters showcase main-group element’s transition-metal-like reactivity
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WhitepaperNovel non-pyrophoric organolithiums for synthesis
New, improved formulations of frequently used organolithium reagents that improve on safety, prevent pyrophoric reactions and improve shelf life
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ResearchUnconventional catalyst support promotes record green methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide
Homing in on a specific crystal structure for the support can boost activity by 70%