In general, most organic reactions are quite slow. To increase the reaction rate, we need a catalyst. Also, an organo-catalyst is an organic molecule, which is acting as a catalyst. The word organo-catalysis is the process in which an organic molecule will act as a catalyst. Then, why is it asymmetric organo-catalysis? Most of the organic molecules are found as a pair of mirror images (structurally) just like our hands. Enantiomers behave like two molecules, which are looking the same as the mirror images of each other. Asymmetric organo-catalysis means the catalysis reaction in which the rate of the reaction is being made fast through an organic molecule, and the product is one out of the two possible enantiomers.
2021 Nobel prize in chemistry is awarded to Professor Benjamin list of Max-Plank University, and Professor David McMillan of Princeton University Cambridge for the field of discovery of asymmetric organo-catalysis. This has a great impact on pharmaceutical research, and this will make chemistry greener. Many research, areas, and industries are dependent on chemists' ability to construct molecules that confirm elastic and durable materials, which can store energy in batteries or inhibit the progression of diseases. Benjamin list, and David McMillan in 2000, they independent of each other developed, the third type of catalyst. It is called asymmetric organo-catalysis and builds upon small organic molecules & these organic catalysts have a stable framework of carbon atoms to which more active chemical groups.
There are several significances of this invention. The first one is this method is new to the scientific world. The second significance is, the absence of metal in these particular reaction catalysts that made them more sustainable & the third significance comes that this organo-catalysis are much more environmentally friendly or involvement favorable as compared to the previous metal base catalyst.
Also, researchers who are using this method will be able to do a comparison of organic analysis, being so much effective than others that in some reactions. It is found seven thousand times more effective as compared to your trivial methods of reaction mechanisms. So that’s what makes organic analysis and is symmetric organic catalysis so important to that's why the duty of noble price to 2021.
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| Prof. Benjamin List and Prof.David MacMillan |
Sources used for the information : www.cen.acs.org, www.ndtv.com, www.nobelprize.org
