Manganese complex behind method for preparing silanols that uses water as an oxidant

A chemical plant releasing molecules via water pollution

Source: © Christophe Werlé/Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

By using water as an oxidising agent, the reaction eliminates additional reagents and unwanted side-products

Researchers have developed a method for preparing silanols that uses an earth abundant metal centre and generates minimal waste products.