Titanium metal-organic frameworks for photocatalytic CO conversion through a cycloaddition reaction.

The elevated levels of CO in the atmosphere have been a major concern for environmental scientists. Capturing CO gas and its subsequent conversion to useful organic compounds is one of the avenues that have been extensively studied in the last decade. The photocatalytic cycloaddition of CO is a promising approach for effective CO capture and the production of value-added chemicals such as cyclic carbonates.

Raising environmental awareness through applied biochemistry laboratory experiments.

Our environment is under constant pressure and threat from various sources of pollution. Science students, in particular chemistry students, must not only be made aware of these issues, but also be taught that chemistry (and science) can provide solutions to such real-life issues. To this end, a newly developed biochemistry laboratory experiment is described that guides students to learn about the applicability of peroxidase enzymes to degrade organic dyes (as model pollutants) in simulated waste water.