Tokyo Researchers Design Ruthenium-Based Catalyst

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new catalyst to improve the synthesis of primary amines. The newly developed catalyst could also impact the development of biofuels and bio-oils.

Primary amines are compounds used in the preparation of a wide range of dyes, detergents, and medicines. Many attempts have been made to improve the synthesis of amines, but few have been successful. The team developed a catalyst consisting of ruthenium nanoparticles supported on niobium pentoxide. The catalyst is capable of producing primary amines from carbonyl compounds, with negligible by-products.

Michikazu Hara of Tokyo Tech's Laboratory for Materials and Structures and his team also explored how the catalyst could break down glucose into 2,5-bis(aminomethyl) furan, a monomer for aramid production. The new catalyst produced a yield of 93% from the glucose feedstock, with little to no by-products. This new catalyst can be a major player in large scale production of biomass-derived materials, including biofuels.