World first: Frankfurt chemist crack the PFAS problem!

World first: Frankfurt chemist crack the PFAS problem!

researchers from the Goethe University in Frankfurt have developed an innovative catalyst that enables to reduce per- and polyfluorinated organic compounds (PFAs). These chemicals, which are also known as "eternal crop chemicals", find application in various products such as outdoor clothing, carpets and disposable dishes due to their water and dirt-repellent properties. Despite their usefulness, Pfas are extremely durable and some connections are suspected of being harmful to health.

The newly developed catalyst offers a promising approach to combat the PFAS problem without having to use toxic or costly heavy metals such as platinum, palladium or iridium. Instead, the catalyst is based on a new basis of two boron atoms that are insensitive to environmental influences such as air and moisture. This structure enables C-F bonds to be split within seconds and at room temperature, a decisive progress in the field of chemistry.

applications and advantages of the catalyst

The applications of the catalyst not only limit themselves to the dismantling of PFAs. Researchers also work on enabling its use in medication production. A targeted control of the degree of fluorization for significant pharmaceutical substances could support the development of new therapeutic approaches.

The concept of targeted control in the fluorization process enables the chemical properties of molecules to be optimized, which is of great importance in organic synthesis. These methods could combine with current developments in the field of light-induced transition metal catalysis, in which visible light is used to activate reactions, which could create more environmentally friendly production conditions

environmental impacts and the way to the solution

pfas have proven to be a serious threat to the environment because they are detectable in water, floors and even in the human body. The resilience of these compounds against heat and UV light contributes to their persistence, which raises the question of how these substances can be effectively removed or broken down. Scientists see a promising instrument in the new catalyst to master this challenge.
Research on the mechanisms of decomposition of PFAs through various methods, including electrochemical methods and the use of activated carbon materials, is also in the course Studies .

In a world that is increasingly shaped by the challenge of chemicals such as Pfas, this catalyst could contribute to solving the problem by not only reducing the environmental impact, but also promoting sustainable chemistry. The work is still considered a significant contribution to environmental technology.