Small water -based reactors could help the pharmaceutical industry avoid toxic solvents

RICE University researchers have developed a new method to perform chemical reactions using water instead of toxic solvents. Scientists created microscopic reactors capable of promoting chemical processes with light lights through the design of complex metal tension (MECSS) that are self -assembly in spheres to nanoscale called micelles. This innovation could drastically reduce pollution in industries, including pharmaceutical products and material science, where harmful organic solvents are often necessary.

The new micellar technology represents a step forward in sustainable chemistry. These self -assembled micels are formed in the water, where their hydrophobic nuclei provide a unique environment for reactions, even with materials that are typically insoluble in the water. The research team led by Angel Martí, professor and president of Chemistry at Rice, showed that this system can efficiently perform photocatalytic reactions while eliminating the need for hazardous substances. The study is published in Chemical science.

“Our findings show how powerful the molecular design can be to address chemical sustainability challenges while maintaining high chemical performance,” Martí said. “We have created a tool that could transform how chemical reactions are performed, reducing environmental damage while increasing efficiency.”

How the discovery works

Tensioactive are molecules with double nature: one part is attracted to water, while the other repels it. When adding to the water, they naturally form micelles or small spheres where the pieces that avoid water accumulate in the center, creating a small reaction space. The scientists modified these surfactants by adding a metal complex sensitive to its structure, making the mecss.

The researchers tested different versions of the MECS altering the length of their hydrophobic tails (water repellent). They discovered that these molecules could form micelles as small as 5–6 nanometers, much smaller than similar systems. The team used these micelles to make a photocatalytic reaction, achieving high yields without the need for harmful solvents.

“These micels act as small reaction vessels,” said Ying Chen, the first author of this study and a doctoral student in Chemistry in Rice. “They allow chemical transformations that would normally work in water while they are more sustainable than traditional methods.”

Many chemical processes in manufacturing and research are based on organic solvents, which are harmful to the environment and expensive to manage safely. The development of photoactive water -based micelles capable of boosting chemical reactions offers a safer and green alternative. In addition, the system can be reused, improving its profitability and its environmental footprint.

The study was co-author of Shih-Chieh Kao and Julian West of the Department of Chemistry of Rice; Asia Matatyaho Ya’akobi and Yeshayahu Talmon of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; and Thao Vy Nguyen and Sibani Lisa Biswal of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering of Rice.