Themed collection #MyFirstChemSci 2025

This review highlights the mechanisms underlying the unique fluorogenic properties of tetrazine-functionalized labels and proposes new strategies to enhance fluorogenicity in the near-infrared region.

A tandem C_sp³–C_sp³ bond cleavage/C_sp³–N bond formation has been achieved via visible-light irradiation of homobenzylic sulfonamides and N-iodoimides, under mild, metal-free conditions and without the need for a photocatalyst.

Schematic illustration of hydroxyl spillover and enhanced POD-like activity under collaboration of multi-elements in RuPtIrRhCu HEAzymes.

PepINVENT introduces a generative model for designing peptides that extend beyond natural amino acids, enabling non-traditional peptide discovery and optimization.

The biosensing platform detected miRNA-155 from a single breast cancer spheroid and enabled dynamic tracking of its level changes after anti-cancer treatment, showing the potential to help oncologists develop more personalized treatment strategies.

Using ultrafast time-resolved IR spectroscopy, we find that charge-transfer excitation does not always localise on the strongest electron donor–acceptor pair. Solvation is another crucial factor which determines where the exciton is trapped.

This study successfully synthesised flavylium-containing polymers via RAFT polymerisation and post-modification, demonstrating tuneable multi-stimuli-responsiveness to pH, light, temperature and solvent.

This functionalized aromatic polyamide dynamically switches between two ordered structures (helix and pleated sheet). A photoresponsive merocyanine acts as a conformational switch for its secondary structure.

A series of novel reactions of the complexes [Cp*(CO)₂MSi–Tbb] (M = Cr – W) are presented substantiating the synthetic potential of metal-silicon triple bonds.

The study explores the second branchpoint of the EFE catalytic mechanism, which determines the product distribution of ethylene and 3-hydroxypropionate formation using QM/MM simulations on WT and A198L variants of EFE.

We report a convenient and inexpensive two-step synthesis to organyl-substituted 1,2,3-benzodiazaborines (DABs), leading to a series of luminescent borates derived therefrom.

Machine learning of melanin chemical space for bio-optoelectronic applications.

Vibrationally assisted delayed fluorescence (VADF) in presence of long-lived Ni²⁺ state near the valence band in CsPbCl₃ nanocrystals (NCs) which helps to increase the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and lifetime of Ni²⁺-doped CsPbCl₃ NCs.

Using total scattering and simulations, we describe how different salt species influence zwitterion cluster morphologies in water.

A general chemoproteomic profiling approach for oxidoreductases with conceptually novel probes based on diarylhalonium salts is reported.

Pincer palladium complexes with an appended naphthalene-diimide unit show ‘fluoride-induced’ redox switchable behavior in a series of Pd(II)/Pd(IV) related stoichiometric and catalytic processes.

The one-pot synthesis of valuable E-chalcones is achieved using a multifunctional Ru@SiO₂-[Pd–NHC] catalytic system combining molecular and nanoparticle sites for efficient carbonylative Sonogashira coupling and selective hydrogenation.

Spray-drying, a rapid, continuous, and widely used industrial process that atomizes microdroplets and dries them in a hot gas stream, is employed to conduct chemical reactions for the synthesis of small organic molecules such as paracetamol.

In this manuscript, the piezochromism and thermochromism of phase-stable 2D hybrid perovskites containing a rigid organic bilayer are explored. Dual-band emission from single crystals is linked to emission from both the surface and the bulk.

We report two Cu(I)-tren host molecules with unusual air-stability, as revealed by strong preference for axial CO binding over bent O₂.

A new class of mercapto-NSAIDs that generate persulfide, H₂S, and the NSAID is reported.

Group 13 aminoxy complexes, (L)E(TEMPO)₃ (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl; L = THF (tetrahydrofuran) or Py (pyridine); E = Al, Ga, In), display ambiphilic reactivity with H₂ and function as synthons for the preparation of materials.

Thiosemicarbazones exhibit versatile photochromic and supramolecular properties, making them excellent photoswitches for designing systems that respond to external stimuli.

Ligand-directed chemistry (LDchem) sialyltransferases (ST) probes with an O-nitrobenzoxadiazole warhead enable selective fluorescent labelling of a wide range of recombinant STs and native lipooligosaccharide ST (Lst) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Developing a self-sensitized catalyst from earth-abundant elements capable of efficient light harvesting and electron transfer is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of CO₂ reduction, environmental cleanup, and improving clean energy prospects.

We computationally investigated the fragmentation pathways of saturated molecules detected in the interstellar medium, demonstrating how high-energy processes drive their transformation into unsaturated species with extended π-bond networks.

Characterization of 2PA of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters (Ag_N-DNAs) with far-red to NIR emission identify them as water-soluble two-photon absorbers.

We have demonstrated the synthesis of regio- and diastereoselective cyclobutylated phenothiazines via [2 + 2] visible-light-irradiated cycloaddition and wavelength-gated cycloreversion inside the live cells for cell imaging and drug delivery.