A new platinum nanoparticle catalyst has been launched for market trials by UK chemical products and technologies firm, Reaxa.

The Platinum EnCat has been designed to deliver hydrogenation of pharmaceutical intermediates.

Reaxa claims that the new catalyst - the company's eighth in its EnCat line and the first of those to use platinum - enables the delivery of easier and faster processes through its high chemoselectivity.

Dr Pete Jackson, Chief Executive of Reaxa, explained the virtues of using platinum in this latest development: "Platinum EnCat extends the proven benefits of encapsulation technology to a further range of applications, with the bonus of easier, safer handling than a carbon-based alternative."

He added that the new catalyst had a number of benefits over palladium catalysed reductions, as the platinum catalyst could access processes where palladium alternatives are "inappropriate or unsuccessful".

Ÿ Adfero Ltd