Themed collection Chemical Communications HOT Articles 2022


Low-temperature reaction dynamics of paramagnetic species in the gas phase
By carefully controlling the reactants and precisely probing the products, we can gain insights into how radical reactions occur on a fundamental level.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3240-3254
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06394D
Current electrochemical approaches to selective deuteration
A highlight of recent synthetic methods for selective deuteration of organic molecules using electrochemistry.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2944-2953
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00344A
Recent advances in electrocatalytic nitrite reduction
Electrocatalytic nitrite reduction is of great significance for wastewater treatment and value-added chemicals synthesis.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2777-2787
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06690K
Recent advances in radical enabled selective Csp3–F bond activation of multifluorinated compounds
The highlight describes the emerging trend in the C–F functionalization area: recent progress in the single-electron-transfer initiated selective defluorinative functionalizations of Csp3–F bonds in multifluorinated compounds via radical pathways.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1066-1077
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06446K
Molecular polymer bottlebrushes in nanomedicine: therapeutic and diagnostic applications
Molecular polymer bottlebrushes offer a comprehensive toolbox for nanomaterials design. Their tuneable and multifunctional architecture has accelerated their use in nano-bio research and nanomedicine applications.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5683-5716
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01601J

Pushing the limits of nanopore transport performance by polymer functionalization
Inspired by the design and performance of biological pores, polymer functionalization of nanopores has emerged as an evolving field to advance transport performance within the last few years.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5188-5204
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01164F
Theory of electronic resonances: fundamental aspects and recent advances
The treatment of electronic resonances in terms of complex-valued energies is discussed with a focus on recent methodological developments.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5205-5224
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07090H
Atomic force microscopy applied to interrogate nanoscale cellular chemistry and supramolecular bond dynamics for biomedical applications
Understanding biological interactions at a molecular-level grants valuable information relevant to improving medical treatments and outcomes.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5072-5087
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07200E
Understanding the reactivity of frustrated Lewis pairs with the help of the activation strain model–energy decomposition analysis method
This Feature article presents recent representative applications of the combination of the Activation Strain Model of reactivity and the Energy Decomposition Analysis methods to understand the reactivity of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs).
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4931-4940
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00233G
Self-assembled organic and hybrid materials derived from oligo-(p-phenyleneethynylenes)
Self-assembly of oligo-(p-phenyleneethynylenes) (OPEs), a class of π-conjugated systems, into versatile materials has widened the application horizon of this molecular system with properties ranging from opto-electronics and energy to biology.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4149-4167
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00186A

Ionic liquids and deep eutectics as a transformative platform for the synthesis of nanomaterials
Ionic liquids and their siblings deep eutectic solvents offer a unique combinatorial toolbox enabling deliberate nanosynthesis like no other solvents.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3865-3892
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06543B

Unlocking the computational design of metal–organic cages
Metal–organic cages are macrocyclic structures that can possess an intrinsic void for application in encapsulation, sensing and catalysis. In this article, we highlight approaches and limitations to their computational design.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3717-3730
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00532H

Sustainable catalysis with fluxional acridine-based PNP pincer complexes
The recent developments of sustainable catalytic reactions catalyzed by fluxional acridine-based PNP pincer complexes are explored, focusing on their unique structural features and reactivities compared to other traditional pincer complexes.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3731-3746
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00247G
Mechanophotonics – a guide to integrating microcrystals toward monolithic and hybrid all-organic photonic circuits
This feature article gives guidelines to construct molecular crystal-based organic photonic integrated circuits (OPICs) using mechanical micromanipulation with atomic force microscopy tips.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3415-3428
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00044J
Unlocking novel reaction pathways of diazoalkanes with visible light
In this feature article, the photolysis and dye-sensitized reactions of diazoalkanes are discussed and applications in organic synthesis are presented.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2788-2798
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06521A
Supramolecular cancer photoimmunotherapy based on precise peptide self-assembly design
Combinational photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is considered to be an ideal strategy for the treatment of malignant cancer, because it can ablate the primary tumor and induce the host immune response to control tumor growth and distal metastasis.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2247-2258
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06355C
Precise surface control of cathode materials for stable lithium-ion batteries
Precise surface control of cathode materials for stable Li-ion batteries: materials design, kinetics control and stabilization mechanism.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1454-1467
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06183F
Solvent polishing engineering for quasi-two-dimensional perovskite blue light-emitting diodes
Chem. Commun., 2022, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC02268K
Fluorogenic and genetic targeting of a red-emitting molecular calcium indicator
The fluorogenic activation of a calcium molecular probe via reaction with HaloTag yields a fluorescent AND logic gate enabling selective and wash-free calcium imaging in genetically-defined organelles.
Chem. Commun., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01792J
Modulation of proton conductivity in coordination polymer mixed glasses
Mixed glasses from two meltable coordination polymers show composition dependent glass transition temperatures and a mixed-glass former effect on proton conductivity.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 6064-6067
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01266A
Membrane targeting enhances muramyl dipeptide binding to NOD2 and Arf6–GTPase in mammalian cells
Membrane localization of each component strengthens NOD2–MDP–Arf6 binding, demonstrating importance of membrane targeting for future NOD2 agonist design.
Chem. Commun., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01903E

Bis[cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene] isomers: Stable trans-bis(CAAC) versus facile olefin formation for cis-bis(CAAC)
A trans-bis(CAAC) was isolated and shown to be a ditopic ligand for rhodium and iridium. The cis-isomer is unstable towards intramolecular CC-bond formation, however, its formal insertion products into the bonds of H2O and NH3 were identified.
Chem. Commun., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01476A
Two-Dimensional Polymerization-Induced Electrostatic Self-Assembly via C12-Polyelectrolyte Lamellar Template
Chem. Commun., 2022, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC02025D
Designed assembly of heterometallic zeolite-like framework materials from two different superteteahedral metal clusters
Chem. Commun., 2022, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01833K
Catalytic asymmetric amination of azlactones with azobenzenes
Asymmetric electrophilic amination of azobenzenes with azlactones was achieved with broad substrate scope in high yield and ee.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5881-5884
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01656G
2D and 3D metal–organic frameworks constructed with a mechanically rigidified [3]rotaxane ligand
A flexible bis-isophthalic acid was successfully transformed to a [3]rotaxane ligand which facilitates the construction of a 2D or 3D metal–organic framework in a controlled manner.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5829-5832
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01198K
Discovery of brevijanazines from Aspergillus brevijanus reveals the molecular basis for p-nitrobenzoic acid in fungi
The discovery of a novel family of p-nitrobenzoylated piperazines from Aspergillus brevijanus revealed that the biosynthesis of p-nitrobenzoic acid in fungi is catalysed by a PABA synthase, an aminodeoxychorismate synthase and a cytochrome P450.
Chem. Commun., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01679F

A synthesis-enabled relative configurational assignment of the C31–C46 region of hemicalide
Detailed NMR spectroscopic comparisons with a series of truncate candidates enables the structural elucidation of the C31–C46 region of hemicalide, reducing the number of possible diastereomers from over one million down to eight.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5729-5732
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01802K
Supramolecularly regulated artificial transmembrane signal transduction for 'ON/OFF'-switchable enzyme catalysis
Artificial signal transduction regulated by competitive supramolecular host–guest complexation to reversibly control an enzyme reaction inside the lipid vesicles.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5725-5728
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01421A
Hundred-gram scale fabrication of few-layered silicene by a continuous vapor-dealloying strategy for high-performance lithium storage
A continuous vapor de-alloying strategy for a hundred-gram scale fabrication of silicene with high-performance Li storage capability.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5717-5720
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01116F
Cooperative catalysis-enabled C–N bond cleavage of biaryl lactams with activated isocyanides
An unprecedented highly enantioselective reaction of biaryl lactams with activated isocyanides has been realized by merging organocatalysis with metal catalysis.
Chem. Commun., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01625G
A conformational study of the 10–23 DNAzyme via programmed DNA self-assembly
We have developed a strategy to study the interhelical angle of two DNA duplexes in nucleic acids as exemplified by the 10–23 DNAzyme. The nucleic acids are programmed to assemble into large 2D arrays to reduce random conformation fluctuation and facilitate the conformation study.
Chem. Commun., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01144A
Scalable synthesis of hydroxyl-functionalized boron nanosheets for high ion-conductive solid-state electrolyte applications
A hydroxyl-functionalized boron nanosheet is developed as the filler material for the solid-state electrolyte (SSE) of lithium batteries.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5586-5589
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00690A
Epoxidation vs. dehydrogenation of allylic alcohols: heterogenization of the VO(acac)2 catalyst in a metal–organic framework
Allylic alcohol epoxidation and dehydrogenation reactivity is distinguished when VO(acac)2 is used in solution or anchored in a metal–organic framework (MOF).
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5578-5581
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01137A

UV degradation of poly(lactic acid) materials through copolymerisation with a sugar-derived cyclic xanthate
A bioderived cyclic xanthate monomer has been synthesised from tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal. Through copolymerisation with lactide, UV-degradable poly(lactic acid) materials are obtained.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5463-5466
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01322C
High turnover photocatalytic hydrogen formation with an Fe(III) N-heterocyclic carbene photosensitiser
The first high turnover photocatalytic hydrogen formation reaction using an earth-abundant iron photosensitiser is presented.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5351-5354
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01016J

Unearthing the unique stability of thiophosphonium-C-terminal cysteine adducts on peptides and proteins
Herein we report the remarkable stability of C-terminal thiophosphonium species on small molecules, peptides and proteins.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5359-5362
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01090A
Anion-induced disproportionation of Th(III) complexes to form Th(II) and Th(IV) products
First example of disproportionation observed for a thorium complex.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5289-5291
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01272C
An insight, at the atomic level, into the intramolecular metallophilic interaction in nanoclusters
The intracluster Au–Cu metallophilic interactions within the nanocluster framework were beneficial for the clusters to display enhanced near-infrared emission intensity and thermal stability.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5092-5095
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00987K

Extension of hydrogen borrowing alkylation reactions for the total synthesis of (−)-γ-lycorane
The total synthesis of (–)-γ-lycorane (10 steps) was completed from cyclohexenone. This is one of the first examples of hydrogen borrowing C–C bond formation being used as a key step in a total synthesis project.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4966-4968
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01248K
A carbon-functionality-appended diborylacetylene available for a component of organic synthesis and OLEDs
Newly synthesized 1,2-diborylacetylene with planar 9-oxa-10-boraanthracene termini has excellent stability toward air and moisture and even allows thermal treatment for the preparation of thin films for OLEDs, and further it shows chemical reactivity typical of alkynes.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4973-4976
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01159J
Migratory insertion of copper-allenylidene from propargyl ester
The highly efficient homo-dimerization and cross-coupling of propargyl esters via migratory insertion of the copper-allenylidenes have been developed to give various 1-en-3,5-diynes, [5]cumulenes and 1,3-diynes with moderate to excellent yields.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4969-4972
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00681B
Visible light-promoted synthesis of ureas and formamides from amines and CO2
A divergent visible-light-induced Ph3P-promoted method for the synthesis of ureas and formamides from amines and CO2 has been developed. A range of ureas could be accessed under ambient temperature and pressure. Formamides could be also produced.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4599-4602
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00572G
Thermal crystal phase transition in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks induced by nanosizing the crystal
An unusual crystal phase transition was demonstrated in a zeolitic imidazolate framework with a rigid coordination network.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4588-4591
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00486K
Copper(II)-photocatalyzed decarboxylative oxygenation of carboxylic acids
Choosing the right coordination geometry for the light-induced Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylation.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4456-4459
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00570K
A non-natural biosynthesis pathway toward 2-methylisoborneol
The biosynthesis of 2-methylisoborneol was reconstituted by elongation of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) with (S)- and (R)-2-methylisopentenyl diphosphate (2-Me-IPP) using farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), followed by terpene cyclisation.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4316-4319
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00636G
Regioselective fabrication of gold nanowires using open-space laminar flow for attomolar protein detection
We present an open-space laminar flow approach for fabricating a single gold nanowire at a precise position for protein detection at the attomolar level.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4308-4311
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00507G
The long-awaited synthesis and self-assembly of a small rigid C3-symmetric trilactam
A C3 symmetric building block for self-assembly.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3751-3754
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00345G
Efficient electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas by a cubic Cu2O film with predominant (111) orientation
Cubic Cu2O film with predominant (111) orientation electrodeposited on Cu foam shows high nitrate reduction efficiency and selectivity for nitrogen gas.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3613-3616
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07299D
Two-dimensional Zr/Hf-hydroxamate metal–organic frameworks
Novel two-dimensional Zr/Hf-hydroxamate MOFs, featuring chelated mononuclear nodes, were synthesized and exhibited great chemical stability and morphological tunability.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3601-3604
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00213B
A dual-electrolyte system for highly efficient Al–air batteries
Herein, a brand-new dual-electrolyte consisting of porous polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogel and 4 M KOH aqueous electrolyte is put forward.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3282-3285
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07044D
Host–guest chemistry under confinement: peeking at early self-assembly events
Nanoscopic lateral confinement created on a graphite surface enabled the study of embryonic stages of molecular self-assembly on solid surfaces using scanning tunneling microscopy performed at the solution/solid interface.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3138-3141
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07206D
AuB8−: an Au–borozene complex
Photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemistry studies are used to investigate the structure and bonding of AuB8−.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3134-3137
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07303F
Pd/Cu bimetallic catalysis to access highly fluorinated biaryls from aryl halides and fluorinated arenes
Selective bimetallic Pd/Cu catalysis enables access to highly fluorinated biaryls from Ar–H active commercially available reagents.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3146-3149
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00141A
Iridium-catalyzed asymmetric double allylic alkylation of azlactone: efficient access to chiral α-amino acid derivatives
An unprecedented Ir-catalyzed enantioselective double allylic alkylation of less bulky cyclic imine glycinate (azlactone) was rationally designed and developed, providing facile access to a series of bisallylated chiral amino acid derivatives.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3142-3145
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00328G
Alkali metal ion binding using cyclic polyketones
Cyclic polyketones composed of acetylacetone analogues showed crown ether-like alkali metal ion binding in less polar solvents. Their cation-binding properties were used for the Finkelstein reaction and the design of new cation-binding hosts.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2971-2974
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00361A
Deep eutectic solvents comprising creatine and citric acid and their hydrated mixtures
We report the phase diagram for the binary creatine–citric acid mixture which features a stable and broad eutectic region.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2838-2841
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06088K
The yin and yang of intracellular delivery of amphipathic optical probes using n-butyl charge masking
The size of the caging chromophore conditions the ability of intracellular cargo delivery and esterase charge unmasking.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2826-2829
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06792C
Reductive depolymerization of polyesters and polycarbonates with hydroboranes by using a lanthanum(III) tris(amide) catalyst
We report the reductive depolymerization of some oxygenated polymers (polyesters and polycarbonates) with the reductants hydroboranes and catalyzed by La(N{SiMe3}2)3.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2830-2833
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00184E
NH4(B6PO10(OH)4)·H2O: exhibiting the largest birefringence in borophosphates
A new borophosphate, NH4(B6PO10(OH)4)·H2O, has been obtained, which exhibits the largest birefringence of all reported borophosphates to date.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2834-2837
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00084A
Rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene based nonporous adaptive crystals
An easy to operate and energy-saving adsorptive separation method using nonporous adaptive crystals of rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene (RDP[5]) was developed. The adaptive RDP[5] crystals separate dichloromethane from a halomethane mixture with 99.1% purity.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2480-2483
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07124F
Unnatural cyclodextrins can be accessed from enzyme-mediated dynamic combinatorial libraries
An enzyme catalysing reversible transglycosylation can generate dynamic systems of interconverting modified cyclodextrins that respond to the addition of templates.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2287-2290
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06452E
Tuning of pH enables carbon-13 hyperpolarization of oxalates by SABRE
This paper presents two complementary methods of hyperpolarizing oxalate by SABRE. Whilst the first method tunes the bonding affinity between oxalate and the catalyst by pH variations, the second method relies on a rationalised synthetic route.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2291-2294
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06973J
RBD conjugate vaccine with a built-in TLR1/2 agonist is highly immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern
An RBD-based subunit vaccine with a built-in TLR1/2 agonist induced potent immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2120-2123
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06520C
Near-infrared vapochromism in lipid-packaged mixed-valence coordination polymers
Reversible vapochromism in the NIR region is achieved for a lipid-packaged mixed-valence platinum complex via exclusion of crystallization water that alters the lipid molecular orientation, the 1D coordination structure, and the electronic state.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2112-2115
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06723K
Enantiopure ferrocene-1,2-disulfoxides: synthesis and reactivity
The first members of the enantiopure ferrocene-1,2-disulfoxide family are described as well as their unprecedented use as ligands in asymmetric conjugate addition.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2002-2005
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07085A
Photo-Fries-type rearrangement of cyclic enamides. An efficient route to structurally diverse five-membered enaminones
An efficient approach for the synthesis of structurally diverse five-membered enaminones via a photo-Fries-type rearrangement of cyclic enamides in excellent yields is reported.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1898-1901
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06297B
Pillar[5]arene-derived covalent organic materials with pre-encoded molecular recognition for targeted and synergistic cancer photo- and chemotherapy
By combining the precisely sized cavity of pillar[5]arene and photodynamic properties of porphyrin derivatives, novel COMs (P5COMs) as an efficient cancer therapy platform from aldehyde-modified pillar[5]arene (P5CHO) and tetra-(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) were fabricated successfully.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1689-1692
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07072J
Trapping reactions with highly unstable hydrides of antimony and bismuth
The gallium(I) compound (Dipp2NacNac)Ga was used as a trapping reagent for the elemental hydrides tBuSbH2 and MeBiH2, which are stable only at low temperatures.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1522-1525
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06741A
In vivo targeted delivery of antibodies into cancer cells with pH-responsive cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)s
Acidity-activated cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)s (CPDIMD) were developed for in vivo targeted delivery of antibodies into cancer cells.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1314-1317
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06840G
About this collection
This ongoing web-collection features the latest articles published in ChemComm that have been marked as HOT by our Editors and trusted Reviewers. Congratulations to all those featured!