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Monday, 24th July 2006 (7459 views)

Two Spanish scientists have discovered a method of using a gold catalyst to make aminobenzene chemicals, commonly used in many commercial products.

Avelino Corma and Pedro Serna of the Polytechnic University of Valencia found that gold nanocrystals supported on titanium or iron oxides could produce the chemicals without unwanted side-effects, the Royal Society of Chemistry reports.

Traditional methods of creating aminobenzene chemicals involve platinum or palladium catalysts, often enhanced by the addition of vanadium salts or other similar substances. The latter help with the selectivity of amine production, but can produce dangerous hydroxylamines.

The scientists found that gold catalysts could produce better selectivity without the complications.

"With this technique we obtained high conversion and high specificity," said Corma, speaking to Chemistry World. He added that using gold also reduced waste and was therefore a 'greener' process.

The scientists' research was outlined in the latest edition of Science magazine.

Gold has a number of scientific applications, with gold nanoparticles proving particularly versatile. Recent research found that complex nanowires incorporating gold particles could be used in a number of ways.

 

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