One Catalyst, Two Reactions: Toward More Efficient Chemical Synthesis

Most high-performance materials and pharmaceuticals require multiple chemical reaction steps during synthesis, each needing different conditions, reagents, and catalysts. In a recent study, researchers from Japan developed a new method—redox-adaptive auto-tandem catalysis—that enables two entirely different reactions to occur sequentially in a single container using an inexpensive cerium-based catalyst. This approach streamlines synthesis, reduces energy use and chemical waste, and offers a greener pathway for producing valuable compounds under mild conditions.