Themed collection ChemComm Milestones – First Independent Articles


Manufacturing polymeric porous capsules
The review paper outlines the current state-of-the-art strategies adopted to fabricate polymeric porous capsules which represent a novel supramolecular construct that broadens the applicability and versatility of self-assembled polymeric systems.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4409-4419
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06565C
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
Configuring solid-state batteries to power electric vehicles: a deliberation on technology, chemistry and energy
Solid-state batteries are configured by deliberation of technology and energy, with material chemistries and processing parameters necessary to target the requirements of the roadmap of future energy-dense and safe batteries.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12587-12594
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04368D
Organelle-targeted photothermal agents for cancer therapy
This feature article summarizes the recent advances in organelle-targeted PTT agents over the past ten years.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7731-7742
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02168K
Experimental determination of charge carrier dynamics in carbon nitride heterojunctions
We review the current understanding of charge carrier dynamics in carbon nitride heterojunctions and highlight open questions in the field.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 1550-1567
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06841A

Electrocatalytic synthesis of organic carbonates
This article presents the latest research on electrosynthesis routes to organic carbonates. Different methods are discussed in an effort to understand the underlying processes and challenges.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 13082-13092
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC04231E

Computational tools for the evaluation of laboratory-engineered biocatalysts
Understanding directed evolution rules for biocatalyst generation through the lens of a computational microscope.
Chem. Commun., 2017,53, 284-297
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CC06055B
Deep learning-assisted analysis of single molecule dynamics from liquid-phase electron microscopy
Deep learning methods, U-Net, UNet++, were applied to the analysis of single molecule movies obtained from liquid-phase electron microscopy.
Chem. Commun., 2023, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC05354C

Catch-enrich-release approach for amine-containing natural products
Chemoselective approach to extract amine-containing natural products from complex matrices. The enzymatic release from the probe affords the underivatised compounds as products.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 12560-12563
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC04905H

Engineered myoglobin as a catalyst for atom transfer radical cyclisation
Myoglobin was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis and transformed into a catalyst able to perform the atom transfer radical reaction.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 10989-10992
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC03227A

A fluorescent probe strategy for the detection and discrimination of hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite in cells
We report a fluorescent probe strategy that provides the potential to detect and discriminate hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite in cells.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 10699-10702
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC03406A
Design of high-avidity multivalent ligand structures that target cells with high ligand economy
Novel cell-targeting ligand structures are constructed with a spikey core scaffold, where multiple copies of coiled-coil peptide nanorods are conjugated on the surface of a peptide nanosheet.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 9802-9805
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC03296A
tert-Butyl nitrite triggered radical cascade reaction for synthesizing isoxazoles by a one-pot multicomponent strategy
TBN/Na2S2O8-mediated radical cascade reaction of alkenes with aldehydes involving the formation of diverse new bonds in one-pot.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 9152-9155
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC02823A
Identification of a pyrone-type species as the active site for the oxygen reduction reaction
A bicyclic pyrone-type species on carbon catalysts was identified as the active site for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 8998-9001
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC03093D
Thermal properties of single-layer MoS2–WS2 alloys enabled by machine-learned interatomic potentials
Machine-learned interatomic potential for the estimation of thermal transport properties of MoxW1−xS2 systems.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 6902-6905
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC02519A
A Ni(COD)2-free approach for the synthesis of high surface area porous aromatic frameworks
A new method for the synthesis of high surface area porous aromatic frameworks that does not use Ni(COD)2 is described.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 6841-6844
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01720B
Hard–soft chemistry guides the adaptable charge transport in lysine-doped heptapeptide junctions
This work for the first time introduces hard–soft acid base theory to analyze the counterion-modulated peptide charge transport and rationalizes the enhancement of peptide charge transport by the peptide-counterion interactions.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 6405-6408
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00752E
Fluorene analogues of xanthenes – low molecular weight near-infrared dyes
Lighter analogues of xanthene dyes show near-infrared absorption and emission, strongly redshifted due to the antiaromatic character of the fluorene scaffold.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5455-5458
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00561A
Crystalline radical cations of bis-BN-based analogues of Thiele's hydrocarbon
Radical cations of air-stable bis-BN-based analogues of Thiele's hydrocarbon have been isolated.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5391-5394
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01254E

Effect of Na+ and K+ on the cucurbituril-mediated hydrolysis of a phenyl acetate
Cucurbit[7]uril accelerates acid hydrolysis and screens the reaction centre from the neighbouring group. The coordination of alkali metal cations to the macrocycle portal uncompetitively reduces the catalytic activity.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5249-5252
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00772J
Synthesis of spiropyrans via the Rh(III)-catalyzed annulation of 3-aryl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazines with diazo ketoesters
An efficient Rh(III)-catalyzed 1 : 2 coupling of 3-aryl-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazines with diazo ketoesters has been realized via twofold C–H activation followed by unusual [3+3] and [4+2] annulation, providing a straightforward strategy to access polycyclic spiropyrans.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 5144-5147
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00916A
Dark-induced vertical growth of chemobrionic architectures in silver-based precipitating chemical gardens
The light sensitivity of many silver compounds has restricted the observation of silver-based chemical gardens.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4172-4175
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06430D
Melamine-induced synthesis of a structurally perfect kagomé antiferromagnet
A structurally perfect kagomé antiferromagnet {[Cu3(bpy)6](SiF6)3(melamine)8(H2O)4}n was synthesized by introducing C3 symmetrical melamine molecules.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3763-3766
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC00416J
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
Potassium tert-butoxide promoted regioselective deuteration of pyridines
Regioselective β- and γ-deuteration of pyridine was achieved under mild condition through a carbanion pathway with dimsyl-d5 intermediate.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3497-3500
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC07128A
CuCoFe Layered double hydroxides as laccase mimicking nanozymes for colorimetric detection of pheochromocytoma biomarkers
A convenient, sensitive and reliable laccase-mimicking CuCoFe-LDHzyme was fabricated for the smartphone-based colorimetric detection of pheochromocytoma biomarkers.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1982-1985
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06612A
Vapor-triggered reversible crystal transformation of a nickel-based magnetic molecular switch
Vapor-triggered crystal-to-crystal transformation between a discrete trinuclear complex [Ni3(sih)2(py)8] and a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer [Ni3(sih)2(py)2]n·2DMF·2H2O was demonstrated, showing a solid-state coordination-induced spin state switch behavior.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1954-1957
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06076G
In situ observation of heterogeneous catalytic organic reactions via aggregation-induced emission luminogens
A customized aggregation-induced emission luminogen allows the direct visualization of catalytic retro-Diels–Alder reaction and catalyst screening.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1601-1604
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06706K
Fully soft organic electrochemical transistor enabling direct skin-mountable electrophysiological signal amplification
Fully soft organic electrochemical transistors and a skin-mountable electrophysiological signal amplifier were developed by all soft components based on, particularly stretchable PEDOT:PSS enabled by crosslinking between PEG and DVS.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1298-1301
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04884H
Coordination effect enabled palladium-catalyzed regioselective O-alkylation of 2-pyridones
A novel tactic for the regioselective O-alkylation of 2-pyridones has been realized through palladium catalysis facilitated by silver carbonate in moderate to high yields, the coordination effect between palladium and nitrogen on the pyridine ring plays a versatile role.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1215-1218
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06110K
Reconstruction of bimetal CoFe0.13-MOF to enhance the catalytic performance in the oxygen evolution reaction
A new solvothermal reconstruction method recovers the original morphology of the catalyst and the product presents extraordinary stability.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1115-1118
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06314F
Exploration of α/β/γ-peptidomimetics design for BH3 helical domains
Helical α/β/γ-peptidomimetics in an αγααβα-hexad repeat competes out the Bak peptide from Bcl-xL with significant resistance towards proteolytic digestion.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 945-948
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05758H
Unlocking metal coordination of diborylamides through ring constraints
A new cyclic diborylamide ligand has been developed and successfully employed to synthesize low-coordinate iron(II) complexes.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 867-870
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06458D
Single-crystal superprotonic conductivity in an interpenetrated hydrogen-bonded quadruplex framework
A novel three-dimensional (3D) 5-fold interpenetrated hydrogen-bonded quadruplex framework with helical H3O+/H2O chains in 1D pore channels shows a single-crystal superprotonic conductivity.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 771-774
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06004J
Total syntheses of ericifolione and its analogues via a biomimetic inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder reaction
A biomimetic tautomerization/intermolecular inverse-electron-demand hetero Diels–Alder reaction cascade to construct sterically hindered dihydropyran scaffolds was established and allowed the first total syntheses of ericifolione and analogues.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 270-273
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06361H
Ultrathin non-doped thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitting layer for highly efficient OLEDs
The ultrathin (~1 nm) emissive layer of a TADF emitter shows 2.6 times higher EQE with high brightness than conventional (30 nm) non-doped OLED devices.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13728-13731
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04972K
An NAD+-type earth-abundant metal complex enabling photo-driven alcohol oxidation
A unique photo-oxidation of various alcohols induced by an unprecedented NAD+-type zinc(II) complex has been successful.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13574-13577
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04665A
Deoxyribonucleic acid polymer nanoparticle hydrogels
Polymer nanoparticle hydrogels made of deoxyribonucleic acid and silica have been prepared and shown to display shear thinning and self-healing properties, sustained release of cargo and enzymatic degradation.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12111-12114
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05668A
Carbazole- and thiophene-containing conjugated microporous polymers with different planarity for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Carbazole- and thiophene-containing CMPs with different degrees of planarity were constructed to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11968-11971
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04551B
Mono-mercapto-functionalized pillar[5]arene: a host–guest complexation accelerated reversible redox dimerization
A mono-mercapto-functionalized pillar[5]arene and its dimer, capable of being reversibly interconverted, were successfully synthesized.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7950-7953
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03010H
Stabilization of telomeric G-quadruplex by ligand binding increases susceptibility to S1 nuclease
The ligand binding to the telomeric G-quadruplex enhanced susceptibility to S1 nuclease through the base flipping.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7236-7239
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03294A
A porous supramolecular ionic solid
Charge decoration provides a new synthetic strategy to integrate discrete coordination cages into an extended permanently porous material.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7248-7251
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02806E
Merging office/filter paper-based tools for pre-concentring and detecting heavy metals in drinking water
A novel miniaturized and sustainable platform exploiting two merged paper-based substrates has been applied for the programmable pre-concentration of analytes of interest and electrochemical detection of mercury traces in drinking water using printable sensor strips.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7100-7103
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02481G

Direct synthesis of polyureas from the dehydrogenative coupling of diamines and methanol
We present here the first example of the direct synthesis of polyureas from the dehydrogenative coupling of diamines and methanol.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 6153-6156
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01121A

A monomeric methyllithium complex: synthesis and structure
The parent organometallic complex, methyllithium, is synthesized and characterised in its monomeric form for the first time. This is enabled by a bespoke multidentate neutral amine ligand, namely DETAN.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 6205-6208
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01420J
Synthetic approaches for accessing rare-earth analogues of UiO-66
A series of rare-earth based UiO-66 analogues is synthesised through different approaches with the aid of two different solvents.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 6121-6124
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01552D
Crystalline assembly of metal–organic polyhedra driven by ionic interactions with polyoxometalates
A series of crystalline porous materials was prepared by self-assembly of cationic metal–organic polyhedra with polyoxometalates.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5187-5190
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01185E
Organic photovoltaic electron acceptors showing aggregation-induced emission for reduced nonradiative recombination
Tetraphenylethylene-substituted fused-ring electron acceptors present enhanced emission with reduced nonradiative energy loss, improving open circuit voltages in solar cells.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5135-5138
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01170G
Lyotropic liquid crystalline phases of anisotropic nanoparticles of organic–inorganic metal halide perovskites: photoluminescence from self-assembled ordered microstructures of semiconductors
Within one hour at room temperature, 2D lead iodide perovskites (R-NH3)2PbI4 with semiconductivity were transformed into colloidal liquid crystalline phases exhibiting optical anisotropy and photoluminescence.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5051-5054
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01056E
Novel N-transfer reagent for converting α-amino acid derivatives to α-diazo compounds
N-Atom is delivered to an amine to synthesize α-diazo compounds through triazene fragmentation.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 4839-4842
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01285A

An electrochemical SARS-CoV-2 biosensor inspired by glucose test strip manufacturing processes
A rapid, low cost sensor for Covid-19 was developed using a perfluorodecanthiol layer and ACE2.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 3704-3707
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC00936B
Chiral recognition of amino-acid esters by a glucose-derived macrocyclic receptor
Highly enantioselective binding of amino-acid esters in water by a small molecule receptor based on a glucose scaffold.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 3476-3479
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC00878A
Synthesis and characterization of plasmonic peptoid nanosheets
Collapse of peptoid–gold nanoparticle composite layers at the liquid–liquid interface produces a new class of 2D plasmonic arrays that freely float in water.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 2748-2751
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC00092F

Covalent capture and electrochemical quantification of pathogenic E. coli
Pathogenic E. coli pose a significant threat to public health by causing both foodborne illness and urinary tract infections. A sensitive electrochemical method to detect these pathogens can be used for surveillance and to prevent illness.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 2507-2510
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC08420D
A tris(benzyltriazolemethyl)amine-based cage as a CuAAC ligand tolerant to exogeneous bulky nucleophiles
The canonical CuAAC–ligand TBTA was capped with a bowl-shaped unit yielding the cage Hm-TBTA. The shielded structure does not suffer from product inhibition effect and is remarkably tolerant to the biological CuAAC-inhibitor Glutathione.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 2281-2284
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC08005E
Lean-electrolyte lithium–sulfur electrochemical cells with high-loading carbon nanotube/nanofiber–polysulfide cathodes
A carbon-nanotube/nanofiber–polysulfide cathode achieves long-term cycle stability and explores the failure mechanism of a lithium–sulfur cell with high sulfur loading/content at a lean electrolyte condition.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 2009-2012
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC08276G
Compact fibril-like structure of amyloid β-peptide (1–42) monomers
Amyloid β (Aβ) monomers sample a random-coil type of conformation in water with a tendency to adopt compact structures with fibril-like features.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 947-950
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06607A
Low-spin 1,1′-diphosphametallocenates of chromium and iron
We report two low-spin diphosphametallocenates [K(2.2.2-crypt)][M(PC4Me4)2] (M = Cr, Fe) and propose structural features that allow spin-control in 3d metallocenates.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 595-598
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06518H
Direct synthesis of defective ultrathin brookite-phase TiO2 nanosheets showing flexible electronic band states
A one-pot protocol to directly prepare atomically-thin nanosheets of brookite-phase TiO2 is developed by hydrolyzing TiCl3 in formamide.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 500-503
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC07214A

Disaggregation of a sumanene-containing fluorescent probe towards highly sensitive and specific detection of caesium cations
A novel turn-off fluorescent probe for Cs+ detection based on the disaggregation of a sumanene-containing molecule is reported.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 343-346
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC07226E
Furan-containing double tetraoxa[7]helicene and its radical cation
A furan-based double [7]heterohelicene and its radical cation were achieved with fascinating chiroptical response for the neutral compound.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 15181-15184
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06970A
Ho3+–Yb3+ doped NaGdF4 nanothermometers emitting in BW-I and BW-II. Insight into the particle growth intermediate steps
A new type of nanothermometer for biomedical applications is developed based on Ho3+-to-Yb3+ energy transfer in β-NaGdF4 nanoparticles.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 14365-14368
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06433E
Enhancing the selectivity of optical sensors using synthetic transmembrane ion transporters
As proof-of-concept, we show that the non-selective anion sensor lucigenin can be converted to a selective iodide sensor by encapsulation into liposomes and the addition of transmembrane transporters.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 14455-14458
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06437H

Ionicity-dependent proton-coupled electron transfer of supramolecular self-assembled electroactive heterocycles
Herein, we investigate the electrochemical properties of a class of Supramolecular Self-associated Amphiphilic salts (SSAs).
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 11815-11818
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC05017B
Copper-catalyzed (4+1) and (3+2) cyclizations of iodonium ylides with alkynes
The copper(II)-catalyzed (4+1) cyclizations and copper(I)-catalyzed (3+2) cycloadditions of iodonium ylides and alkynes have been successfully developed. The corresponding highly functionalized heterocyclic products were prepared conveniently.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 11429-11432
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC04373G
Revisiting indeno[2,1-c]fluorene synthesis while exploring the fully conjugated s-indaceno[2,1-c:6,5-c′]difluorene
The ground state of tetraradicaloid s-indaceno[2,1-c:6,5-c′]difluorene with a small HOMO–LUMO energy gap was studied alongside an alternative synthetic approach for indeno[2,1-c]fluorene.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 11319-11322
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC04418K
Cathodic electrogenerated chemiluminescence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) and peroxydisulfate at pure Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes
Two-dimensional transition metal carbide (Ti3C2Tx MXene) film as a novel electrode material for electrogenerated chemiluminescence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) and peroxydisulfate.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 10022-10025
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC02993A
Blue-shifted aggregation-induced enhancement of a Sn(IV) fluoride complex: the role of fluorine in luminescence enhancement
A fluorinated Sn(IV) complex not only significantly enhances the emission efficiency, but also exhibits blue-shifted aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 9648-9650
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC03635H
Design, synthesis and characterization of structurally dynamic cyclic N,S-acetals
We report the synthesis, characterization and comparison of a series of electronically perturbed, cyclic N,S-acetals.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 9118-9121
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC03503C

A short peptide that preferentially binds c-MYC G-quadruplex DNA
G-quadruplexes are nucleic-acids secondary structures that are highly abundant in the human genome. In this work,we identified a short-peptide that displays selectivity for the G-quadruplex formed in the promoter region of the oncogene c-MYC.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 8940-8943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC02954H
About this collection
In this new feature we are celebrating authors' first articles as independent researchers. ChemComm is here to support researchers throughout their careers. Whether you’re a first-time author or a senior academic, you can trust us to handle your submission fairly and efficiently. This momentous milestone marks the beginning of an independent academic career and we are proud to champion authors through this stage and beyond.
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