Robots and AI find new pathway in 135-year-old reaction

Using a robotic platform and AI, scientists discovered an unexpected mechanism in a classic chemical reaction known for 135 years. The work shows the same reagents can follow different pathways depending on concentration, temperature and catalysts.

• Robots and AI revealed a new path in a 135-year-old reaction
• The outcome depends on concentration, temperature and catalysts
• The discovery changes understanding of simple reaction equations