In Situ Chemistry - In Situ Synthesis of Compounds

In Situ Chemistry - In Situ Synthesis of CompoundsIn situ chemistry is a synthetic method for chemical production, a sort of a laboratory-like environment in which chemicals are produced from a sample already obtained. The name 'in situ' means 'nowhere'.In situ chemistry is used to produce synthetic organic compounds from the compounds already present in nature. Most of the chemical processes that are applied to the production of compounds have been known since ancient times, but the bulk of modern synthetic techniques can be traced back to in situ chemistry, which was first studied by Nobel Laureate Otto Hahn.In situ chemistry is based on the principle of spontaneous generation, as stated by the original source of this terminology. It's the same concept as that of geothermal heat. Chemists call in situ processes 'synthetic' because, in nature, the compounds that are formed under these conditions would not have existed without those conditions.In situ processes include synthesis of t he dyes, antifreeze and other complex compounds by means of manganese metal complexes (oxides of manganese), often by means of catalytic reduction. Synthesis of the degradable polymers of waxes and oils (polyethylene glycol) is sometimes carried out by reacting a polymer, i.e. a polymer with ethers or alcohols. Moreover, in situ production of sodium hydroxide may take place by adding salt to water under high pressure.The whole in situ apparatus for the synthesis of compounds consists of a vessel, a filter bag, the catalyst, and equipment for purifying the sample. Sometimes, in situ processes involve only one step, whereas in case of many reactions, the next step is the synthesis of the next compound.In situ production of molecules can result in the formation of specific useful compounds, known as functional groups. They have properties that are different from those of their molecules. Amongst these compounds are fluorine and nitrogen compounds, the Quaternary ammonium compound, acet ylene, nitrous oxide, nitrogen mustard, carbonyl compounds, amino acids, nitrogen phosphates, hydroxyl radicals, organosilanes, enamyls, hydrogen peroxide, anilines, cations, metals, aromatic and alkaline earth metals, and some alloys and sulphur-containing compounds. The existence of these useful compounds is a scientific fact.It has been estimated that the amount of in situ activity in a typical laboratory is equal to that in an average city of a hundred thousand inhabitants. Most companies deal with in situ processes for the production of chemicals by means of in situ synthesis. In situ chemistry is used in many fields of science. It has to be understood that there are still many unsolved problems to be solved.