Reaction Chemistry & Engineering

Featured #OnTheCover of issue 1 of 2026!

"Revitalised Hofmann carbylamine synthesis made possible with flow chemistry" by Zen Johnston, Jaimee Jugmohan, Jenny-Lee Panayides and Darren Lyall Riley

Read the #OpenAccess paper here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Thermodynamic model for synergistic solvent extraction of mineral acids by tris(2-ethylhexyl)amine and 1-octanol Recovery of excess acid after leaching is essential in circular hydrometallurgical processes, because it reduces reagent consumption and generates less waste. Solvent extraction can be used for acid r...

Don't miss "Thermodynamic model for synergistic solvent extraction of mineral acids by tris(2-ethylhexyl)amine and 1-octanol" by Rayco Lommelen and Koen Binnemans

Read the #OpenAccess article here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Featured #OnTheCover of issue 12 of RCE!

"Investigation of Ni-catalyzed hydropyrolysis of hemicellulose via ReaxFF-MD simulation" by Hong Xian, Linjia Yin, Xiangkun Zhang, Muye Feng and Kaige Wang

Read the #OpenAccess paper here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

One-step conversion of hemicellulosic pentoses into furfural via iron(III) sulfate-catalyzed distillation In this study, we introduce a straightforward and effective strategy for synthesizing furfural directly from d-xylose and l-arabinose by employing hydrated iron(iii) sulfate [Fe2(SO4)3·xH2O], under di...

Check out this recent #OpenAccess article by Nor Mas Mira Abd Rahman, Fabrizio Olivito, Thivya Selvam, Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar, Goldie Ozad & Monica Nardi

"One-step conversion of hemicellulosic pentoses into furfural via iron(iii) sulfate-catalyzed distillation"
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

A data-driven approach to the generalization of free radical polymerization kinetic models via automated flow chemistry Systematic kinetic screening of chain transfer radical polymerizations was carried out using a continuous flow-based automated synthesis platform tailored for high-throughput screening of polymer reac...

Out now in RCE!

"A data-driven approach to the generalization of free radical polymerization kinetic models via automated flow chemistry" by Amna Binte Asghar, Bo Zhang, Vianna F. Jafari and @polymerreaction.bsky.social

Read the full paper here 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

We’re delighted to welcome Professor Gianvito Vilé as a new Associate Editor for Reaction Chemistry & Engineering!
Check out some of his favourite RCE papers, all #OpenAccess
doi.org/10.1039/D5RE...
doi.org/10.1039/D5RE...
doi.org/10.1039/D4RE...
Join us in welcoming Gianvito to RCE Editorial Board!

Accelerating cross-modality reaction optimization via robotically automated vacuum enabled direct-inject mass spectrometry (RAVE MS) In this report, we detail direct inject mass spectrometry via a robotically automated vacuum enabled (RAVE) interface that utilizes commercially available capillary electrophoresis hardware to directl...

Be sure to read "Accelerating cross-modality reaction optimization via robotically automated vacuum enabled direct-inject mass spectrometry (RAVE MS)" by Daniel Holland-Moritz, Sarah Moor, & colleagues!

Currently free to read 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Mixed polyamide and polyester upcycling via chemical autoxidation and engineered Pseudomonas putida Polyamides, such as nylons, are often used in multi-component materials, like textiles and packaging, and are accompanied with unique recycling challenges. Recently, autoxidation and bioconversion has...

Don't miss "Mixed polyamide and polyester upcycling via chemical autoxidation and engineered Pseudomonas putida" by Gregg T. Beckham, Allison Z. Werner & co!

Read the full #OpenAccess paper here 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Controllable preparation of ruthenium-based catalysts modified with lithium and study of catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of 2,4-diaminotoluene Hydrogenated toluene diisocyanate (HTDI) is crucial in military and new energy industries, with its synthesis challenged by the deamination side reaction during the hydrogenation of 2,4-toluenediamine...

Be sure to read "Controllable preparation of ruthenium-based catalysts modified with lithium and study of catalytic performance in the hydrogenation of 2,4-diaminotoluene" by HongWei Li, GuiXian Li, & colleagues

Read the full paper here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Neural tanks-in-series: a physics-guided neural network extension of the tanks-in-series model for enhanced flow reactor and reaction modelling This paper introduces the neural tanks-in-series (NTiS) model, an extension of the traditional tanks-in-series (TiS) model using physics-guided neural networks (PGNNs). The NTiS model integrates physi...

Out now in RCE!

"Neural tanks-in-series: a physics-guided neural network extension of the tanks-in-series model for enhanced flow reactor and reaction modelling" by Sebastian Knoll, Martin Horn, & co.

Read the #OpenAccess paper here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Analytical solution of the advection–diffusion–reaction problem in a multistage chemical reactor Transport and kinetics phenomena such as advection, dispersion and reaction play a key role in determining the performance and safety of chemical reactors. While advection–dispersion–reaction (ADR) pr...

Be sure to read "Analytical solution of the advection–diffusion–reaction problem in a multistage chemical reactor" by Ankur Jain

Now published in #RCE 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

First-principles calculations of the excited states of monolayer g-TPYP-COF In this study, a novel covalent organic framework material, g-TPYP-COF, was systematically investigated. By leveraging the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), the first 100 excited state...

Don't miss "First-principles calculations of the excited states of monolayer g-TPYP-COF" by Xudong Tang, Changxiong Sun, Huanjun Su and Yani Liu

Read the full paper here 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

N-Oxygenation of amino compounds using immobilized and stressed Streptomyces griseus whole cells as biocatalysts Nitro compounds are widely used as building blocks in many industrial syntheses, and are a key component of therapeutic drugs, pesticides and explosives. Due to the harsh environmental conditions asso...

Interested in biocatalysis?

Don't miss this new article by Matias L. Nóbile & colleagues

"N-Oxygenation of amino compounds using immobilized and stressed Streptomyces griseus whole cells as biocatalysts"

Read the full paper here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Advancing energy storage: a comparative review of nickel–cadmium, nickel–metal hydride, and sodium-ion batteries Energy storage technologies are critical to supporting modern applications, ranging from portable electronics to large-scale renewable energy systems. Among the prominent solutions, nickel–cadmium (Ni...

Don't miss "Advancing energy storage: a comparative review of nickel–cadmium, nickel–metal hydride, and sodium-ion batteries" by Bhawna, Peeyush Phogat, Shreya, N. L. Singh and Sukhvir Singh

Read the full review here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Integrated electrified reactor system for efficient CO2-to-syngas conversion via e-methanation and e-POM This study presents the development of an electrically driven dual-stage reactor system for efficient syngas production via integrated CO2 methanation and methane partial oxidation. A spiral-shaped me...

Learn more about the conversion of CO2 to syngas!

"Integrated electrified reactor system for efficient CO2-to-syngas conversion via e-methanation and e-POM" by Suganuma Hiroyasu, Ryo Watanabe, Priyanka Verma, Hiroshi Akama and Choji Fukuhara

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Carbide slag modified into a thermochemical energy storage material via a dual-effect modification method In this study, a dual-effect modification method for carbide slag modification into a thermochemical energy storage material was proposed. Results showed that the optimally formulated energy storage material CSMn10 contained CaO, Mn2O3 and CaMnO3 as the main components, which not only inhibited the sintering

Out now in RCE!

"Carbide slag modified into a thermochemical energy storage material via a dual-effect modification method" by Caiyun Gao, Jie Zhang, Xiangli Liu, Shipeng Chen, Dong Li and Fei Jin from North Minzu University

Read it here 👇 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Promotional image for the 130th anniversary of Tianjin University cross-journal themed collection. The background image shows a building at Tianjin University. Four photos of the Guest Editors of the collection show Jinlong Gong, Yingjin Yuan, Naiqin Zhao, and Shizhang Qiao. The text reads Celebrating the 130th anniversary of Tianjin University. A cross journal themed collection celebrating the 130th anniversary of Tianjin University and 100 years of chemical engineering of tianjin university in 2025. Read the growing collection.

Read our cross-journal themed collection celebrating the 130th anniversary of Tianjin University and 100 years of their Chemical Engineering, featuring articles from Tianjin University researchers in sustainable chemistry and chemical engineering!

Browse the collection here: pubs.rsc.org/en/jour...

Be sure to read "Accelerating cross-modality reaction optimization via robotically automated vacuum enabled direct-inject mass spectrometry (RAVE MS)" by Daniel A. Holland-Moritz, Sarah R. Moor, & co!

Featured #OnTheCover of issue 10 of RCE 🧑‍🎨

Read it here 👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Adaptive boundary constraint in Bayesian optimization: a general strategy to prevent futile experiments in complex reaction optimization Efficiently identifying optimal reaction conditions with minimal experimental effort is a fundamental challenge in chemical research, given the high cost and time involved in performing experiments. R...

Don't miss this recent paper published in RCE!

"Adaptive boundary constraint in Bayesian optimization: a general strategy to prevent futile experiments in complex reaction optimization" by Aravind Senthil Vel, Julian Spils, Daniel Cortés-Borda and François-Xavier Felpin
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Physicochemical aspects of solid phase synthesis using cross-linked polymeric matrices Solid phase synthesis (SPS) offers a bottom-up approach for assembling (bio-)oligomers and polymers with precise molecular detail. Although SPS has been applied to various organic compounds, it is exp...

Have you seen this recent Reaction Chemistry & Engineering paper from José Danglad-Flores et al.? “Physicochemical aspects of solid phase synthesis using cross-linked polymeric matrices”
Part of our Open Access Spotlight collection - Read it here: doi.org/10.1039/D5RE... 🧪

Don't miss "NiFe2O4@SiO2-immobilized copper Schiff base complex as a versatile heterogeneous catalyst for efficient one-pot multicomponent synthesis of bioactive naphthopyran derivatives" by Pranjit Barman & co.

Read the full paper here 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Uncertainty quantification analysis of electrochemical reduction of CO2 Electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising technique for converting CO2 to value-added products. However, a lack of quantitative understanding of how design and operating conditions impact a CO2 ...

Interested in electrochemical CO2 reduction?

Be sure to read "Uncertainty quantification analysis of electrochemical reduction of CO2" by R. K. Hariharan and Himanshu Goyal from the latest issue of RCE!

Read the full paper here 👇
pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

ChemSpider webinar on AI in chemistry - join us on 23 September

Do you want to stay ahead of developments in AI and learn first-hand experiences of applying them in your chemistry work?

Join leading experts to discuss best practice tips for working across disciplines.

Register now: https://rsc.li/4m2xzOU

#ChemSky

Opportunities for automation in continuous dynamic flow separation Many separation techniques, such as chromatography, adsorption, and filtration, are dynamic by nature, with the profiles of chemical species varying over time. This time-dependent behavior makes dynam...

Learn more about the automation of dynamic flow separation with this new Minireview by Chetsada Khositanon, Panitan Thakhiew, Charoen Chinwanitcharoen, Kousuke Hiromori and Nopphon Weeranoppanant

Read it here 👇
doi.org/10.1039/D5RE...

What a great start to EuropaCat 2025. Come and find me at booth F32 to talk about all RSC catalysis and sustainability journals! @mgiannakou.bsky.social @reactchemeng.rsc.org @greenchemistry.rsc.org @rscsustainability.rsc.org @ees-journals.rsc.org

Don't miss this #OpenAccess article featured on the cover of issue 9 of RCE!

"Efficacy of mechanochemically prepared ceria–zirconia catalysts in ketonisation of acetic acid" by Krutarth Pandit, Atul Bari, Haresh Manyar & colleagues!

Read it here 👇
doi.org/10.1039/D4RE...

We have now published our 'Outstanding Reviewers for Reaction Chemistry & Engineering in 2024' Editorial!

You can read the Editorial here: pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Thank you to all of our reviewers for helping to preserve quality and integrity in the RCE literature.

🧪 #ReactionChemistry

How the addition of a polar aprotic solvent alters aldol-addition kinetics: exploring the role of solvent molecules and their dynamics This paper investigates how solvent composition, and dynamics influence the aldol-addition reaction, which is an important reaction in acid-catalyzed biomass transformations. The reaction between 5-hy...

Solvents aren’t just the backdrop—they shape the story.

New research shows DMSO can steer biomass conversion by stabilizing different reaction pathways in the aldol step. That means better control over humin formation and cleaner fuel production.

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Unraveling the role of ultrasound in hydrothermal interzeolite conversion using a tubular ultrasound-integrated reactor In the past years, ultrasound has been considered a sustainable process intensification technique for zeolite synthesis. However, understanding the link between ultrasound phenomena and their related ...

A recent study shows how ultrasound can speed up hydrothermal interzeolite conversion—turning FAU into MFI more efficiently. Even at 160 °C, ultrasound boosts crystal growth and reduces wall deposits, despite cavitation being suppressed.

📄 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

Direct aminolysis of methyl esters with ammonia in continuous flow through Bayesian optimization Amides play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical, animal health and agrochemical industry. Despite the availability of various catalytic systems and coupling reagents, many methods suffered from long ...

"Direct aminolysis of methyl esters with ammonia in continuous flow through Bayesian optimization" by Christian V. Stevens & co.

This paper reports continuous flow technology for the direct amidation of methyl esters to primary amides

pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...