The Iranian government unveiled domestically-produced deuterated compounds for medical purposes to foreign diplomats who visited the Arak heavy water reactor, and reiterated Sunday the peaceful character of its nuclear program.
The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Ali Akabar Salehi, described as a significant achievement the generation of these compounds (a chemical process in which the nucleus of the isotope of hydrogen, in addition to the proton, has a neutron).
Iran has produced five deuterated compounds and scientists are working on projects to produce five to 10 more in the future, Salehi stated at the unveiling ceremony, attended by representatives of countries and organizations to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.
He explained that compounds have applications in various scientific fields, including medicine, biology, chemistry, and agriculture because it is used to enhance the effects of some drugs. It also can be used in making optic fiber and certain polymers.
Iranian scientist explained the compounds can be used as solvents in tracing new synthetic chemicals, as well as helping scientists monitor and evaluate complicated chemical reactions.
The ceremony was attended by diplomats from Egypt, Algeria, Cuba, Syria, Oman, Venezuela and members of the Non-Aligned Movement, led by Egypt, and the G77, led by Algeria, as well as others from the League of Arab States.
The ambassadors arrived in Tehran on Saturday for a two-day visit to the Natanz nuclear plant and the Arak heavy water reactor as part of what local authorities described as a “confidence-building tour” over its nuclear plans.
Source : escambray.cu