The Nobel Prize is an international award that honors achievements contributing to the advancement of science and technology and the betterment of humanity. In the field of chemistry in particular, many Japanese researchers have received the award, and Japan’s chemical research is held in high regard worldwide.
This column introduces four examples of how our products are connected to Nobel Prize-winning achievements.
1. Polymerization Catalysts
In 1963, Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking discovery of polymerization technology at low temperature and pressure. Our company manufactures alkyl aluminum, a key component of the Ziegler–Natta catalyst. This innovation enabled the production of a wide range of polymer materials, which continue to support our modern, comfortable lifestyles.
2. CFC Alternatives
In 1995, Paul Crutzen and two other scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for clarifying the mechanism by which chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) deplete the ozone layer. As an environmentally friendly alternative to CFCs, we manufacture CF₃I, contributing to the development of a more sustainable society.
3. Cross-Coupling Reactions
The 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Akira Suzuki, Ei-ichi Negishi, and Richard Heck for their development of cross-coupling reactions. This technique made it possible to easily synthesize complex molecular structures that had previously been difficult to create. We apply this technology to efficiently produce pharmaceutical intermediates and electronic materials.
4. Blue LEDs
The invention of the blue LED made it possible to generate white light from LEDs, paving the way for their widespread use in household lighting. This innovation, which contributes to energy savings and climate change mitigation, earned Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014. Our company supplies TMI (trimethylindium), a high-quality material essential to LED production, to manufacturers around the world.
In this way, Tosoh Finechem offers products based on Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and technologies, contributing to both scientific advancement and the realization of a sustainable society. We will continue to drive innovation and work alongside researchers and companies around the world to build a better future.
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