Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Science

Chemists thought phosphorus had shown all its cards—until it surprised them with a new move

A discovery by UCLA organic chemists may one day put catalytic converter thieves out of business. In new research, they've used abundant, inexpensive phosphorus as a catalyst in chemical reactions that usually require precious metals like platinum, one of the metals targeted in theft of the automoti...

Chemists thought phosphorus had shown all its cards—until it surprised them with a new move
Image: Phys.org
A discovery by UCLA organic chemists may one day put catalytic converter thieves out of business. In new research, they've used abundant, inexpensive phosphorus as a catalyst in chemical reactions that usually require precious metals like platinum, one of the metals targeted in theft of the automotive components that convert chemicals in vehicle exhaust into less harmful forms.

Originally published at Phys.org

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