image: A research team led by Jonathan R. Nitschke at the University of Cambridge, in collaboration with Kari Rissanen at the University of Jyvaskyla, has managed to cage an old and very dangerous demon, white phosphorus. White phosphorus has been known for centuries to burst spontaneously into flame upon contact with the atmosphere, burning with great destructive power. The research team has created a molecular-scale bottle (container molecules) that can stabilize white phosphorus indefinitely, rendering it safe, until such time as a signal (the addition of benzene) is applied to release it. The practical applications of this discovery stretch beyond being able to stabilize white phosphorus, which is a useful, if dangerous, molecule. This technique may be applicable more widely to other hazardous substances as well. This image relates to an article that appeared in the June 26, 2009, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. P. Mal of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, UK, and colleagues was titled, "White Phosphorus is Air-Stable Within a Self-Assembled Tetrahedral Capsule". view more
Credit: Image copyright <i>Science</i>/AAAS