Press release -
Green Chemistry: Politecnico di Milano publishes in Chem the first solid-state synthesis of a supramolecular Borromean network
The prestigious journal Chem (Cell Press, impact factor: 19.735) publishes the first mechanosynthesis of a molecular crystal with a Borromean topology. The research has been carried out by an international team led by Prof. Pierangelo Metrangolo, Giuseppe Resnati, and Giancarlo Terraneo at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” of the Politecnico di Milano.
The results obtained by the Politecnico di Milano group have shown that mechanosynthesis can be applied to the self-assembly of complex multi-component supramolecular structures such as the Borromean rings, demonstrating, in detail, the mechanism of formation of this complex topology. These findings open up new perspectives in the design of complex chemical systems such as the mechanosynthesis of diamonds, the development of absorbent materials that enable the storage of hydrogen to be used in the advanced automotive, ultra-light composites for aeronautics, and the development of new drugs.
Mechanochemistry studies the application of mechanical energy to a chemical reaction carried out in the solid-state, to influence its rate and trajectory. The origins of mechanochemistry can be traced back to the Stone Age, where the use of mortar and pestle for the preparation of food or dyes represented a process to induce chemical transformations by mechanical forces.
From an environmental point of view, the mechanochemical processes are particularly sustainable since, taking place in the solid state, they do not use toxic or flammable solvents. For this reason, their use is widely spreading in numerous industrial sectors of green chemistry and sustainable engineering including pharmaceuticals, polymer chemistry, and composites.
Despite this, the mechanisms by which mechanical energy contributes to the breaking and formation of new chemical bonds are not fully understood, yet, as well as the general applicability of mechanochemistry to diverse chemical processes.
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The Borromean knot consists of a knot formed by three rings in which two rings are parallel to each other and it is only the third ring that interlocks them keeping all the three together. Simply by cutting anyone of the three rings, the Borromean knot falls apart.
The etymology of the name dates back to Federico Borromeo, cardinal and archbishop of Milano who chose the Borromean Knot as his emblem. The symbol of the Borromean dynasty is the three entangled rings and represents the Trinity. The Borromean Rings indicate “strength in unity”. This symbol has been also adopted by other cultures in various ages, including the Scots and the Vikings.
From a mathematical point of view, the Borromean topology is one of the most complex and fascinating.
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Politecnico di Milano is a scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and industrial designers.
The University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer.
Research has always been linked to didactics and it is a priority commitment which has allowed Politecnico Milano to achieve high quality results at an international level as to join the university to the business world. Research constitutes a parallel path to that formed by cooperation and alliances with the industrial system.
Knowing the world in which you are going to work is a vital requirement for training students. By referring back to the needs of the industrial world and public administration, research is facilitated in following new paths and dealing with the need for constant and rapid innovation. The alliance with the industrial world, in many cases favored by Fondazione Politecnico and by consortiums to which Politecnico belong, allows the university to follow the vocation of the territories in which it operates and to be a stimulus for their development.
The challenge which is being met today projects this tradition which is strongly rooted in the territory beyond the borders of the country, in a relationship which is developing first of all at the European level with the objective of contributing to the creation of a single professional training market. Politecnico takes part in several research, sites and training projects collaborating with the most qualified European universities. Politecnico's contribution is increasingly being extended to other countries: from North America to Southeast Asia to Eastern Europe. Today the drive to internationalization sees Politecnico Milano taking part into the European and world network of leading technical universities and it offers several courses beside many which are entirely taught in English.
