Microporous solids - Cobalt caged for catalysis

Zeolites are materials that have open pores in their structure, large enough to allow some molecules inside, but not others. This, and their acidic properties, make them excellent catalysts — but limited in the reactions that they can catalyse. A new method has been found to make similar structures that contain a high proportion of cobalt, a transition metal, which should allow a wider range of reactions including reduction and oxidation.