An amazing discovery made in a 40 year old catalyst

Almost 40 years agotitanium silicon-1 (TS-1)A catalyst called “had begun to be developed. The catalyst, which is still actively used today, occupies an important place in the chemical industry, mainly due to its ability to convert propylene to propylene oxide.

Scientists from ETH Zurich, the University of Cologne, the Fritz News Institute and BASF came together and conducted a new study. Scientists, Active for 40 years discovered a surprising new mechanism of action in the catalyst used. The new discovery made the catalyst even more important.

Discovery capable of changing literature:

More than 11 million tons of propylene oxide are produced each year worldwide. Of these 11 million tons, 1 ton is formed by oxidizing propylene with hydrogen peroxide. This chemical reaction takes place thanks to the TS-1 catalyst. Experts have so far found that the active center in TS-1 ensures the specific reactivity of the catalyst contains individually isolated titanium atoms they had speculated.

Scientists from many institutions and organizations have questioned this hypothesis. Scientists, Published in Nature to explain the specific catalytic activity in their research that two neighboring titanium atoms are needed established. This is contrary to the assumption that titanium atoms not isolatedinstead of a catalytically active center is made up of a pair of titanium led them to conclude.

Unlike the literature, scientists share the results of their research in the text where hydrogen peroxide it is activated by a pair of titanium announced their conclusion. Scientists also believe this result that no team can be found working aloneshared that they came to a conclusion thanks to the collection of experts from different sectors. The team said their discovery will improve existing catalysts and development of new homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts He said it would help.