Sustainable Methods for Amine Synthesis

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130805133628.htm

Assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Arkansas, Nan Zheng received a $550,000 award for his research in chemical reactions sparked by visible light.

Nan Zheng is researching sustainable methods for amine synthesis. Sustainable method for synthesis that Zheng is trying to develop is absorbtion of visible light by amines, instead of ultraviolet or UV light (which are lights that chemists typically use). Synthesis of amines by absorbtion of visible light is sustainable because UV and ultraviolet lights have effects that are negative.

 Zheng is discovering a new molecule that will synthesize by absorbing visible light. Zheng’s research uses metals that are bound to organic molecules and are active in the presence of visible lights, serving as catalystis in promoting chemical reactions of amines.

Through oxidation of amines using the metals mentioned above amines lose one electron which creates a radical cation (positively charged ion). This ion is reactive and triggers reactions that create new molecules that could potentially used in developing pharmaceutical drugs.

Submitted by: Guram Saqvarelidze