Patented Process to Purify Water, Process Chemicals

Newswise — It may be less costly to purify water, synthesize drugs and process other chemicals through a new discovery developed by Central Michigan University faculty chemist Anton Jensen.

Jensen has prepared reusable catalysts to make singlet oxygen — an oxidant that may be useful in the purification of water and synthesis of less costly drugs. The catalysts are made of fullerene-coated beads, which use oxygen and light to perform oxidation reactions.

"Because the catalysts rely on only oxygen and light and can be used in water, they are very environmentally friendly," said Jensen. "We are looking at companies that currently use oxidation technology for a wide range of uses, including purification of water, synthesis of pharmaceuticals and synthesis of other miscellaneous chemicals."

Jensen was recently issued a U.S. patent for "Singlet Oxygen Catalysts Including Condensed Carbon Molecules." Previously, water compatible singlet oxygen catalysts have been made using other methods, but never in so few steps.

Jensen is only the third person at CMU to obtain a patent.

"Anton's efforts to expand the work on this to do asymmetric drug synthesis is going to be of great benefit to the market," said James Hageman, vice provost for research and dean of CMU's College of Graduate Studies.

Jensen's study, "Fullerene-Coated Beads as Reusable Catalysts," was the cover story in the January 24, 2003, Journal of Organic Chemistry.