Ascensus Specialties

Our US offices will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd. We'll resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 3rd. Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing holiday!

New Blog: Exploring the Versatility of ZIF-8: A Material with Exceptional Stability and Porosity Porous Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs), a subset of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), have gained attention for their wide-ranging applications, particularly in gas storage, separation, and catalysis. Among them, ZIF-8 stands out due to its remarkable structural, chemical, and thermal stability. With its larger pores, high surface area, and exceptional thermal stability, ZIF-8 is revolutionizing industries like petrochemicals and organic synthesis. Learn more about how ZIF-8 is unlocking new possibilities in gas storage and catalytic reactions here: https://bit.ly/4dEzupn #MaterialsScience #ZIF8 #MOFs #Catalysis #Innovation

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) typically face challenges with thermal, chemical, and mechanical stability, limiting their industrial applications. However, the zirconium-based MOF, UiO-66, developed by Prof. Karl Petter Lillerud at the University of Oslo, stands out with exceptional stability and high surface area (1000-1600 m²/g). Its stability is attributed to strong Zr-O bonds and the unique ability of its Zr6-cluster to rearrange without altering the connecting carboxylates, making UiO-66 a promising candidate for large-scale industrial use. For more information, check out the product here: https://bit.ly/3yEAJpH

New Product Alert! The Diao group at New York University has developed a new ligand, ProPhos, that significantly advances nickel-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. This innovation addresses common challenges with first-row transition metals, enabling efficient cross-coupling of difficult heteroaromatic substrates at low catalyst loadings. ProPhos represents a promising step forward in the field of catalysis, offering new opportunities for research and application. ProPhos is offered through the Strem Catalog (Item #15-0280). To learn more about it, check out our newest blog here: https://bit.ly/3WLj9Ig

We are out at the ACS Conference this week. Stop by booth #1606 so meet some of our team members and see what is new with the Strem Catalog. #ACS2024

August Employee Feature: Ian Powers Originally from Newberg, Oregon, Ian Powers has always had a passion for chemistry. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from George Fox University, he pursued further studies and obtained a PhD in the same field at Purdue University. This strong academic foundation paved the way for a successful career in research and development. For the past six years, Ian has been an integral part of the team at Strem Chemicals, now Ascensus Specialties. Currently, he lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his wife and two adorable cats. When asked what he enjoys most about his role at Ascensus Ian says, “I love solving problems and improving processes across a wide variety of projects. I think it is satisfying to communicate across departments, identify key problem areas in a project, and figure out how we can solve them most effectively.” Reflecting on his career, he offers valuable advice to those just starting their careers: "Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to be wrong: We learn the best when we keep an open mind." Outside of work, Ian has a surprising talent—he is musically gifted and can play five different instruments, including the flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano, and guitar. Additionally, in his free time he enjoys playing video games to unwind. He also studies Japanese, and after several years of learning the language, Ian is looking forward to traveling to Japan for the first time in the upcoming year. He is excited to immerse himself in the culture and reconnect with friends while there.

Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation is a method that eliminates the need for high-pressure hydrogen gas, making it safer and more convenient. Instead, 2-propanol or formic acid serves as the hydrogen source, simplifying experimental procedures. Ruthenium complexes with a chiral bidentate nitrogen ligand and an arene ligand are particularly effective in reducing a wide range of ketones and imines into valuable chiral alcohols and amines. Chloro{(1R,2R)-(-)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethylamido}(mesitylene)ruthenium(II) - a high-purity catalyst (min. 90%) known as RuCl[(R,R)-Tsdpen(mesitylene)], available as Item 44-0154. Developed in collaboration with Takasago, this catalyst is designed for research applications, specifically in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones and imines using a formic acid-triethylamine mixture. For more information on Item 44-0154: https://bit.ly/3X3Ifn9

We are excited to announce that Tyler Dost has joined our Americas Commercial Team as the new Technical Account Manager, Life Sciences. Tyler brings a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective that will undoubtedly drive our mission forward in the life sciences sector. Join us in giving Tyler a warm and enthusiastic welcome as we embark on this thrilling journey together!

The Strem Catalog has a range of Metal Amidinates! These complexes have garnered significant interest due to their potential as single-source precursors for advanced functional materials. Metal-based amidinate complexes serve as volatile precursors for Atomic Layer Deposition, enabling the creation of films with unique and versatile properties. This technology supports a wide array of high-tech applications, including semiconductor microelectronics, high-resolution displays, optical filters, magnetic information storage, and catalysis. For more information: https://sforce.co/3WKjvjQ

Curious about the hidden hero in HIV drug development? Dive into our latest blog to explore how sodium borohydride plays a pivotal role in synthesizing life-saving HIV medications like dolutegravir, abacavir, lamivudine, and emtricitabine. Learn how this essential chemical contributes to the effectiveness and accessibility of modern HIV treatments, and discover its impact on global health advancements. Read the full blog here: bit.ly/4d1Dv73 #HIVAwareness #DrugSynthesis #ScienceMatters