Revolutionary method in Münster: Sustainable conversion of natural substances!

Revolutionary method in Münster: Sustainable conversion of natural substances!

Researchers at the University of Münster have developed an innovative method for the hydroamidation of double bonds, which opens up promising perspectives for various industries. The focus is on the conversion of aromadendrons, a substance from Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), using a novel amidation reagent. This novel synthesis method converts carbon-carbon double bonds into carbon-carbon single bonds, where a nitrogen atom can be bonded. Loud uni-muenster.de This technology offers numerous advantages that are both ecological and economical.

One of the central innovations is the iron-based catalysts used. These are not only cost-effective, but also environmentally friendly. Nitrogen atoms themselves represent important building blocks for many chemical structures - from medicine to agriculture to materials science. Despite the environmental safety of alkene hydroamidation, this method is rarely used due to the lack of reliable procedures. However, the new iron-catalyzed radical hydroamidation reaction can effectively integrate amides into organic molecules.

Variety of application of the method

The newly developed method has a wide range of applications, especially in the area of ​​complex natural substances such as terpenes. The new amidation reagent allows the cyanamide group to be transferred to chemical compounds. Interestingly, this reagent can be produced on a larger scale, making it extremely attractive for industrial applications. This discovery has the potential to significantly revolutionize chemical synthesis.

Researchers further report that the cyanamide-containing functional group that can be introduced using the new method can be easily converted into other useful groups. This expands the arsenal of methods for incorporating nitrogen and represents significant progress towards more efficient and sustainable chemical processes. The results of this extensive research were recently published in the journal “Nature Synthesis”.

The nitrogen cycle and its importance

Nitrogen, which is vital for the new method, also plays a central role in natural processes. Plants prefer to absorb nitrate, which is converted from ammonium ions (NH4+) by certain bacteria, the nitrifiers, during nitrification. This conversion occurs under aerobic conditions, meaning that it occurs in oxygen-rich waters and soils. The reaction equation for this is: NH4+ → NO2– → NO3–. This is a key element of the nitrogen cycle, which is crucial for the growth of plants and therefore for the entire food chain, such as studyflix.de explained.

After nitrification, plants have the opportunity to use the nitrate to produce proteins and other valuable compounds. The nitrogen cycle can be continued in two variants: the internal and external cycles. The internal cycle closes more quickly and includes ammonification as the next step. These processes highlight the essential role that nitrogen plays in nature and chemistry for both synthetic applications and biological systems.