Themed collection Chemical Communications HOT Articles 2022

By carefully controlling the reactants and precisely probing the products, we can gain insights into how radical reactions occur on a fundamental level.

A highlight of recent synthetic methods for selective deuteration of organic molecules using electrochemistry.

Electrocatalytic nitrite reduction is of great significance for wastewater treatment and value-added chemicals synthesis.

The highlight describes the emerging trend in the C–F functionalization area: recent progress in the single-electron-transfer initiated selective defluorinative functionalizations of C_sp³–F bonds in multifluorinated compounds via radical pathways.

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.

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.

The treatment of electronic resonances in terms of complex-valued energies is discussed with a focus on recent methodological developments.

Understanding biological interactions at a molecular-level grants valuable information relevant to improving medical treatments and outcomes.

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).

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.

Ionic liquids and their siblings deep eutectic solvents offer a unique combinatorial toolbox enabling deliberate nanosynthesis like no other solvents.

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.

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.

This feature article gives guidelines to construct molecular crystal-based organic photonic integrated circuits (OPICs) using mechanical micromanipulation with atomic force microscopy tips.

In this feature article, the photolysis and dye-sensitized reactions of diazoalkanes are discussed and applications in organic synthesis are presented.

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.

Precise surface control of cathode materials for stable Li-ion batteries: materials design, kinetics control and stabilization mechanism.

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.

Mixed glasses from two meltable coordination polymers show composition dependent glass transition temperatures and a mixed-glass former effect on proton conductivity.

Membrane localization of each component strengthens NOD2–MDP–Arf6 binding, demonstrating importance of membrane targeting for future NOD2 agonist design.

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.

Asymmetric electrophilic amination of azobenzenes with azlactones was achieved with broad substrate scope in high yield and ee.

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.

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.

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.

Artificial signal transduction regulated by competitive supramolecular host–guest complexation to reversibly control an enzyme reaction inside the lipid vesicles.

A continuous vapor de-alloying strategy for a hundred-gram scale fabrication of silicene with high-performance Li storage capability.

An unprecedented highly enantioselective reaction of biaryl lactams with activated isocyanides has been realized by merging organocatalysis with metal catalysis.

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.

A hydroxyl-functionalized boron nanosheet is developed as the filler material for the solid-state electrolyte (SSE) of lithium batteries.

Allylic alcohol epoxidation and dehydrogenation reactivity is distinguished when VO(acac)₂ is used in solution or anchored in a metal–organic framework (MOF).

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.

The first high turnover photocatalytic hydrogen formation reaction using an earth-abundant iron photosensitiser is presented.

Herein we report the remarkable stability of C-terminal thiophosphonium species on small molecules, peptides and proteins.

First example of disproportionation observed for a thorium complex.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An unusual crystal phase transition was demonstrated in a zeolitic imidazolate framework with a rigid coordination network.

Choosing the right coordination geometry for the light-induced Cu(II)-catalyzed oxidative decarboxylation.

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.

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.

A C₃ symmetric building block for self-assembly.

Cubic Cu₂O film with predominant (111) orientation electrodeposited on Cu foam shows high nitrate reduction efficiency and selectivity for nitrogen gas.

Novel two-dimensional Zr/Hf-hydroxamate MOFs, featuring chelated mononuclear nodes, were synthesized and exhibited great chemical stability and morphological tunability.

Herein, a brand-new dual-electrolyte consisting of porous polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogel and 4 M KOH aqueous electrolyte is put forward.

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.

Photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemistry studies are used to investigate the structure and bonding of AuB₈⁻.

Selective bimetallic Pd/Cu catalysis enables access to highly fluorinated biaryls from Ar–H active commercially available reagents.

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.

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.

We report the phase diagram for the binary creatine–citric acid mixture which features a stable and broad eutectic region.

The size of the caging chromophore conditions the ability of intracellular cargo delivery and esterase charge unmasking.

We report the reductive depolymerization of some oxygenated polymers (polyesters and polycarbonates) with the reductants hydroboranes and catalyzed by La(N{SiMe₃}₂)₃.

A new borophosphate, NH₄(B₆PO₁₀(OH)₄)·H₂O, has been obtained, which exhibits the largest birefringence of all reported borophosphates to date.

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.

An enzyme catalysing reversible transglycosylation can generate dynamic systems of interconverting modified cyclodextrins that respond to the addition of templates.

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.

An RBD-based subunit vaccine with a built-in TLR1/2 agonist induced potent immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Acidity-activated cell-penetrating poly(disulfide)s (CPD_IMD) were developed for in vivo targeted delivery of antibodies into cancer cells.