Ionic liquids, especially chiral ones, fascinate Sanjay V. Malhotra, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry and environmental science at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). "Properly formulated," said the chemist, "these organic salts, which are found in natural substances as common as pine cones, could be a safe and effective way to dissolve and recover dangerous chemicals."

Malhotra, who's been promoting further study of the substance, was recently named the invited chairman of an upcoming conference on green chemistry to be held in January of 2006 in New Delhi, India. The conference will include multiple presentations on ionic liquids. NJIT and the University of Delhi are jointly organizing the event.

(NOTE: Contact Sheryl Weinstein 973-596-3436 for more information on the New Delhi conference or to interview Malhotra.)

Organizing events is not new to the young and ambitious faculty member. Last year, Malhotra organized chemical researchers from the Northeast into North America's only consortium to study ionic liquids. Members included researchers from Rutgers University, City University of New York and other institutions. He also organized in August of 2004 a symposium at an annual meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Since 2004, the U.S. Department of Energy has funded Malholtra's work. He is also collaborating on funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Recent published work by Malhotra and doctoral student Ying Xiao include "FriedelCrafts Alkylation Reactions in Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquids," (Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, Feb., 2005) and "DielsAlder reactions in pyridinium based ionic liquids" ( Tetrahedron Letters, Nov. 1, 2004).

"I'm high on these liquids because I see them useful in industries such as mining or petroleum refinement," Malhotra said. Research indicates that these solvents can be customized to dissolve almost any material, including m
'"/>

Contact: Sheryl Weinstein
sheryl.m.weinstein@njit.edu
973-596-3436
New Jersey Institute of Technology
8-Mar-2005

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Innovative tagging technique may help researchers better protect fish stocks
2. Penn researchers discover how key protein stops inflammation
3. ASU researchers partner with UOP to make biofuel for military jets a reality
4. Einstein researchers prototype vaccine could provide improved protection against tuberculosis
5. Penn researchers discover pathway that eliminates genetic defects in red blood cells
6. U-M researchers find family of on switches that cause prostate cancer
7. 2007 EURYI: 20 young researchers to receive Nobel Prize-sized awards for breakthrough ideas
8. Pets could be source of multiresistant bacteria infections in humans, MU researchers investigate
9. MGH researchers confirm that bone marrow restores fertility in female mice
10. Smithsonians National Zoo researchers use electronic eggs to help save threatened species
11. U-M researchers identify gene involved in breast cancer