"Electrifying Breakthrough: Scientists Speed Up Chemical Reactions"

University of Chicago chemists have discovered a new method to enhance chemical reactions using electricity, a process known as electrocatalysis. This advancement, published in Nature Catalysis, could lead to more sustainable and efficient chemical manufacturing, particularly in synthesizing pharmaceuticals. By adding a Lewis acid to the reaction and using special imaging techniques, the researchers were able to control the reaction at the molecular level, achieving near-complete yields and demonstrating the potential for reusing the electrode, thus moving towards more sustainable synthesis methods.