Catalyzing chemical intermediate

In order to produce a specific molecule that serves as an intermediate in the production of certain pharmaceuticals and herbicides, Kevin Romero examined water-based catalytic conditions.”We have a couple of catalysts that we’re testing, and we’re testing different reaction conditions,” Romero says, referring to his work under Yuriy Roman, an assistant professor of chemical engineering.

Romero experimented with various catalysts and water concentrations in an effort to optimize synthesis.Romero pours the solution into a metal reactor chamber after meticulously measuring and mixing the chemical components.

An inert gas is used to flush the air out of the chamber three times before it is heated to 160 degrees Celsius at a pressure about 20 times that of the earth’s atmosphere.”The reactor appears to be as intense as it is because of the fairly high pressure,” Romero states.