A smarter way to make sulfones: Using molecular oxygen and a functional catalyst Sulfones, a class of sulfur-containing compounds, are chemically derived from the selective oxidation of sulfides. While these compounds form the core of the pharmaceuticals, solvents and polymer industries, their chemical synthesis is often hindered by high reaction temperatures and extreme reaction conditions. Additionally, these also require costly additives and harsh solvents for production.
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-....smarter-sulfones-mol

The forest byproduct lignin can play a key role in new sustainable materials Lignin, a by-product of the forest industry, can be used to produce sustainable materials that can replace traditional plastics. This has been revealed in a research project at the University of Borås in Sweden. Matilda Johansson, holder of a Ph.D. in Polymer Technology, has investigated how lignin can be chemically modified and used in fiber-reinforced biocomposites. The goal was to create materials that can not only replace oil-based products, but also reduce the weight of structures without compromising mechanical properties.
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-....forest-byproduct-lig

Water-assisted microwave synthesis of porous COF materials for lithium-ion batteries In our recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, our team from the National University of Singapore has developed a rapid and eco-friendly method for synthesizing imide-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) using a water-assisted microwave approach.
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-....microwave-synthesis-

Fluorescence color-change strategy enables rapid detection of tertiary amines and opioids Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), led by Professor Zhang Guoqing, have developed a rapid fluorochromic sensing method for detecting tertiary amines and opioids. Their study is published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
https://phys.org/news/2025-05-....fluorescence-strateg

Innovative role of Benzalkonium chloride as a quaternary ammonium salt for natural gas hydrate formation and storage https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97520-3