Caged chemicals
A Cambridge University-led team of researchers has created a chemical cage that traps white phosphorus.
White phosphorus spontaneously ignites when exposed to the air, reacting with oxygen to form phosphorus pentoxide.
But now, a Cambridge University-led team of researchers has created a chemical cage that traps the white phosphorus, preventing the highly violent reaction from occurring.
The work could result in an array of hazardous chemicals being handled and transported more safely in future.
The research itself was carried out by a team consisting of Prasenjit Mal, Boris Breiner and Jonathan Nitschke at Cambridge University's Department of Chemistry, together with Kari Rissanen from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.
The cage they developed does not exclude oxygen, but restricts the reaction of oxygen with the phosphorus through a constrictive mechanism that does not allow the oxygen and phosphorus to form the phosphorus pentoxide that would be too large for the cage's cavity.
The practical implications of the research are impressive: the technique of 'caging' individual molecules of the substance allows it to be manipulated and stored with greater safety, and it also has the potential to be used to tame other dangerous chemicals.
Register now to continue reading
Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.
Benefits of registering
-
In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends
-
Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year
-
Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox
Experts speculate over cause of Iberian power outages
I´m sure politicians will be thumping tables and demanding answers - while Professor Bell, as reported above, says ´wait for detailed professional...