SiliCycle launches leach-proof catalysts
The new SiliaCat catalysts are highly reactive and recyclable, do not require metal leaching and produce better yields than currently available alternatives, according to SiliCycle.
Development of the SiliaCat catalysts took place in conjunction with Mario Pagliaro’s Lab at Italy’s National Research Council, which set out to apply nanochemistry principles to chemical synthesis.
Francois Béland, marketing and research manager at SiliCycle, said: “Our customers in the fine chemical business are looking to leach-proof solid catalysts for their delicate productions and we are committed to supporting those efforts while also providing unsurpassed performance. Our new SiliaCat products work great for reactions like Suzuki, Sonogashira, Heck, hydrogenation, and oxidation.”
Current catalysts for cross-coupling reactions such as Suzuki and Sonogashira generally require a homogenous metal catalyst and ligand. However, these reactions suffer from limited reusability and require the user to remove residual metal catalysts, which can be a complex process.
Both these factors increase costs and the time taken to manufacture a product that is compliant with industry regulations. In contrast SiliaCat catalysts can be removed from the product using filtration and the materials used are highly recyclable.
These characteristics led Pagliaro, who collaborate on the research, to say: “The pharmaceutical industry has now the opportunity to make the ‘green chemistry’ principles aiming to sustainable productions a reality.”
