Organocatalysis technology with dream-level effectiveness was developed by a Korean research team headed by Prof. Song, Choong-eui, Sungkyunkwan University(SKKU) Department of Chemistry.

SKKU announced on June 21 that Prof. Song developed the world’s most efficient organocatalysis technology that is capable of creating the desired effect with the most minute amount(1 ppm =1/1,000,000).

In addition this new technology was successful in manufacturing chiral-alcohol, main component for optical activity medicine (70% of all medical purpose alcohols), and by doing so proved its commercial value as a new catalyst.

Organocatalyst is a new type of catalyst made up of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and non-metals.

Because of its environmental friendly nature and low cost factor the organocatalyst has been receiving world wide  attention since  the year 2000, as the 3rd catalyst that can replace metal and enzyme catalysts.

However, until now organocatalyst due to its low effectiveness,  compared to the other types of catalysts, had a major defect.

 
“This research is the first in the world to maximize the efficiency of the organocatalyst whilst minimizing the amount to the dream-level of 1 ppm. This is the Holygrail in this field  which scientists have been researching for more than 10 years.”Prof. Song explained.

He also added “this organocatalyst is both efficient environmentally and commercially, putting Korea ahead amonst the competition in this field with this source technology.”

The research will be published in the latest issue of Nature Communication 6, Article No. 7512.