BiochemistChef

BiochemistChef t1_jc11wv2 wrote

Reply to comment by unswsydney in Quantum engineers have designed a high precision spin measuring device a million times more sensitive than commercial spectrometers. The device could help scientists understand the structure and purpose of materials better. by unswsydney

What was the "warmer temperature" the news release talked about. Not having to fill the spectrometer with liquid He (or even just less often, as well as the N2) would be great

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BiochemistChef t1_jbi9pdo wrote

Reply to comment by TBSchemer in Aromatic hexazine rings — [N₆]⁴⁻ — an all-nitrogen analogue of benzene, have finally been synthesized by researchers using high-pressure, laser-heated synthesis. The hexazine rings are present within a complex K₉N₅₆ structure containing [N₆]⁴⁻ and [N₅]⁻ rings as well as neutral nitrogen dimers. by MurphysLab

True, I got so excited about the ring I glossed over the ridiculous environmental constraints. But I was also thinking it might be a high energy step in the process of synthesizing something else or possibly stabilized as part of a larger carrying unit, sort of like hemoglobin. I have no proof but I like to dream.

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BiochemistChef t1_jbhrw0b wrote

Reply to comment by sojayn in Aromatic hexazine rings — [N₆]⁴⁻ — an all-nitrogen analogue of benzene, have finally been synthesized by researchers using high-pressure, laser-heated synthesis. The hexazine rings are present within a complex K₉N₅₆ structure containing [N₆]⁴⁻ and [N₅]⁻ rings as well as neutral nitrogen dimers. by MurphysLab

The article states that hopefully they "can stimulate further exploration of nitrogen chemistry in the search of novel nitrogen-based technological materials."

So it looks like nothing super specific here, but it's yet another building block for the advancement of chemistry and nano technology. Now that [ N6]4- can be synthesized, it now can be studied off of paper.

Let's say we find out that cute ring is fantastic at shuttling around an ion? What if it's great at temporarily holding ions or creates a bed of electrons, similar to how precious metals work in the catalytic converter of your car. Nitrogen makes up the majority of the air we breathe, so it's dirt cheap. If it could be converted to a highly usefully ring for cheap? That'd be fantastic!

It also might be useful for synthesizing other compounds. Boron chemistry is an entire sub field because boron doesn't follow the octet rule, so it does cool things. Way beyond the scope of this response but instead of directly reacting in the reaction, it'll form intermediate complexes, or hold a temporary structure so that the reaction you want to happen can take place at all, or maybe significantly faster than without.

Edit: I'd like to add that rings, especially complex rings can be a huge pain to form. Vitamin B-12 synthesis took an obscene amount of manpower with many, many teams running concurrent studies to create parts of the vitamin, then the end goal was to link those pieces together, which took more research.

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