Themed collection Celebrating the Chemical Sciences in India - Leaders in the Field Symposium 2021

This review article documents the key developments in the metal-free catalytic reduction of CO₂ into various energy intensive chemicals and fuels, and reductive functionalization of CO₂ for the formation of new C–N bonds.

Molecular insights on the formation, detection, and even isolation of the Breslow intermediate, which is the most important species in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis, as obtained from experimental and computational studies, are presented.

Mesoionic N-heterocyclic olefin (mNHO) catalysed consecutive N-methylation of primary and secondary amines was accomplished under 1 atm CO₂ pressure in the presence of 9-BBN as a reducing agent nearly at room temperature.

Delayed emission due to reversible electronic energy transfer (REET) between chromophores in the axle and macrocycle components of a rotaxane is demonstrated. The REET process can be modulated by metal ion binding in the cavity of the rotaxane.

Using a rotaxane biradical, we unambiguously demonstrate the need consider both J and rate of conformational interconversion carefully when interpreting the spectra of such systems when they are employed as spin probes in solution.

An efficient method is developed for harvesting hydrogen, its storage and catalytic transfer by an odd alternant hydrocarbon. The strategy is reminiscent of transition metals in borrowing hydrogen mediated processes.

Barcoding provides abilities to learn about individual species within an apparently homogeneous population. We describe a light-mediated multiplexed cellular barcoding strategy through spatial programming of cucurbit[7]uril molecular recognition.

A doubly reduced redox non-innocent phenalenyl based transition metal free catalyst has been designed and utilized in the development of the C–C cross coupling reaction through the activation of aryl halides at room temperature.

A lanthanide based photochromic coordination polymer gel (pcCPG) material has been developed which showed photomodulated colour change based on pcFRET and has the potential to be employed for decoding secret information.

The origin of high enantioselectivity in the formation of quaternary stereogenic carbon.

Supramolecular structure directing unit regulated co-assembly of a protein produces a highly stable fibrillar nanostructure and glutathione responsive release of the protein in its active state.

Synthetic alpha-helix based pores for selective sensing of peptides have not been characterized previously.

We report the kinetically controlled supramolecular polymerization of organic two-dimensional charge-transfer nanostructures via a chemical reaction (imine)-driven approach.

A modified Vilsmeier–Haack reaction resulted in the synthesis of a pyrylium based turn-on fluorescent pH probe. The probe can monitor minute acidification and dynamic pH variation in cells during apoptosis with therapeutic chemo drugs.

Low coordinated VO_x species on ZrO₂ with more reduced V–O bonds leads to improved catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation.

We report an approach to interlocked Pt^II luminophores in which the mechanical bond stabilises the coordination environment of the embedded metal ion.

An abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) based potassium complex was used as a transition metal-free catalyst for reduction of primary amides to corresponding primary amines under ambient conditions.

We disclose an intriguing and a potentially general role for one of the most commonly used silver salt additives whose molecular understanding continues to remain rather vague in the contemporary practice of palladium catalysis.

This paper describes a detailed understanding of the influence of surface defects of TiO₂ supports on the catalytic properties of Pt catalysts.

We have demonstrated a hydroquinone stitched β-ketoenamine COF acting as an efficient organic cathode in an aqueous rechargeable zinc ion battery.

Spontaneously aggregation of a carboxylic acid appended NDI can be retarted by intra-molecular H-bonding. With catalytic DMAP or DBU, the meta-stable monomer exhibits living supramolecular polymerization and generates ultra-thin 2D sheet.

Redox equivalent storage in the phenalenyl backbone towards catalytic multi-electron reduction.

Stereoselectivity in the asymmetric diamination of styrene catalyzed by chiral hypercoordinate iodine originates from the prochiral face recognition when the substrate binds to the catalyst.

How a series of noncovalent interactions (NCIs) determine the regiochemical outcome in a distal sp² C–H functionalization reaction is presented.

This paper describes the promotional effect of hydroxyl groups over RhFeLi/TiO₂ catalysts for the ethanol synthesis via CO₂ hydrogenation.

This paper describes how Cu⁺ species act as electrophilic sites to facilitate the adsorption and activation of formate and restrict the Ostwald ripening of Cu species, leading to an efficient and robust steam reforming of bio-DME.