Researchers have developed a new nanotechnology palladium catalyst that can be fully recovered, it has been reported.

The American Chemical Society reports that scientists at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology have developed a way to recover the palladium catalyst fully once the reaction is completed, meaning it could be reused in future reactions.

A small magnet at the bottom of the reaction vessel was used to extract the palladium catalyst from the mixture and it was then used with the next reaction, once it had been washed with EtOAc.

The event was then repeated for ten cycles and the researchers reported no deterioration of the catalyst during this time.

Meanwhile, researchers from Seoul National University in Korea have found that nitrogen-doping carbon materials can significantly improve catalysis. The scientists found that palladium nanoparticles deposited through this method demonstrated high catalytic properties and also had significant magnetic properties that meant they could be recovered after the reaction.

Sources:
This hydrogenation catalyst can be magnetically recovered
4/06/07
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=heartcutarchive60407_heartcut.html#3

Ÿ Adfero Ltd