Researchers report the catalysis of a highly specific chemical reaction where oxygen from the air is one ingredient and the other, an organic molecule, is selectively "oxidised". A simple manganese compound catalyses this reaction. This type of methodology is an important step for the discovery of new catalysts for e.g. conversion of methane into methanol or greener chemical processes for pharmaceutical production. Reactions with oxygen (O2) are often chaotic, unspecific and difficult to control. Think of how hard it is to control a fire, making sure that our cars don't rust too fast and that our wine breathes for just the right amount of time.

And what about the dangers in being an oxygen breathing animal: The free radicals that attack our bodies are derived from the oxygen in the air we breathe. We need oxygen -- but it will kill us in the end.

Oxygen comprises 21 % of the gases in the air and many essential biogeochemical and industrial processes depend on it. However the way enzymes metabolize oxygen in biology can inspire us to use this resource far more efficiently.

Manipulating oxygen from the air

Professor Christine McKenzie and her group at University of Southern Denmark work with the chemical manipulation of oxygen from the air. Now they have discovered a way to control the chemical reaction of an organic molecule with oxygen so that only one specific part of it is "oxidized".

Dr Claire Deville has led the project. The work is published in the journal Angewandte Chemie and was evaluated as "highly important" by all the referees. Less than 10 % of the journal's manuscripts receive this evaluation.

"This is a prototype chemical reaction for the many processes that involve a chemical reaction with oxygen. One example is the conversion of methane into methanol", says McKenzie.