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Belén Martín-Matute berättar om vägen till att bli professor

Read article (swedish): Tidningen Innovation

More effective and environmentally-friendly methods for chemical synthesis

Twentieth century developments in chemical synthesis have been necessary for our modern world; they have been fundamental to the manufacture of effective pharmaceuticals, material for roads and illuminated molecules for mobile displays, to name a few things. The benefits for mankind are reflected in how 58 of 108 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry have been awarded to discoveries related to the development of new synthesis methods.

However, one problem in chemical synthesis is that reactions are often based upon toxic solvents and expensive metals. Some substances also require synthesis to be carried out in many steps, which increases waste and is expensive. Dr. Abraham Mendoza from Stockholm University is therefore working on the development of more effective and environmentally friendly tools for chemists. Using light energy and cheap elements such as aluminium, lithium and iron, he wakes chemical molecules to life and facilitates chemical reactions. He will also develop chemical catalysts that can enable the re-use of waste from the petrochemical industry.

- We are developing methods for a faster and more effective manufacture of chemicals using reagents that are already in the labs. But we make them behave differently by using LED-light chains such as the ones you may have at home, Abraham Mendoza says.

The reactions that Abraham Mendoza is rationalizing are foundational for chemists and may thus contribute to more sustainable chemistry in many different industries.

- I am very happy for Wallenberg Academy Fellowship giving me and my research group the stability needed to reach such ambitious goal, he says.

Webpage for Abraham Mendoza

Knut och Alice Wallenberg Project Grant for Prof. Belén Martín-Matute

The world has an abundance of water and carbon dioxide, but they are too stable to be of interest to industry. However, with one oxygen atom removed, they become hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide respectively. Both of these are extremely useful in plastics, agricultural chemicals and lubricants. The problem is that hydrogen gas is extremely flammable when mixed with air and that carbon monoxide is deadly when breathed. But, if you could use them as soon as they're made you could sidestep that dangerous middle stage.

‐ By using a porous composite material, hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide can be used in the next chemical process immediately. So we can use renewable resources without needing complicated experimental setup while also minimising the risk to people who work with the chemicals, says Belén Martín-Matute.

More information about the project

Webpage for Belén Martín-Matute