Themed collection Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
Anthony Davis, Editorial Board Chair, and Becky Garton, Executive Editor, reflect on the 20th anniversary of the launch of Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 2841-2841
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3OB90042H
Thia-Michael addition: the route to promising opportunities for fast and cysteine-specific modification
Cysteine-selective thia-Michael addition provides opportunities in chemistry, biology, and medicine.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 3057-3072
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02262A
Synthesis of isochromanone containing natural products from myxobacteria
This review details the biological activity, biosynthesis and synthesis of isochromanone metabolites isolated from myxobacteria.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 1341-1355
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01926D
The xanthate route to tetralones, tetralins, and naphthalenes. A brief account
The radical chemistry of xanthates allows numerous approaches to tetralones, tetralins, and naphthalenes.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 910-924
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02159E
Impacts of noncovalent interactions involving sulfur atoms on protein stability, structure, folding, and bioactivity
This review discusses the various types of noncovalent interactions in which sulfur atoms participate and their effects on protein stability, structure, folding and bioactivity.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 11-23
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01602H
New strategies for the synthesis of 1- and 2-azetines and their applications as value-added building blocks
Azetines are valuable 4-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycles with unique reactivity and useful synthetic applications. Recent methods to access these compounds and a comprehensive review of their application as intermediates is presented.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022,20, 9052-9068
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01812H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Conformational preference in difluoroacetamide oligomers: probing the potential for foldamers with C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds
The conformation of bisdifluoroacetamides is governed by dipole effects, rather than CH⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 5939-5943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3OB00811H
The aromatic Claisen rearrangement of a 1,2-azaborine
The first aromatic Claisen rearrangement of a 1,2-azaborine is described along with a quantitative kinetic comparison of the reaction of the azaborine with its direct all-carbon analogue.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 3778-3783
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02186B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Exploiting multivalency and cooperativity of gold nanoparticles for binding phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate at sub-nanomolar concentrations
Zn(II)-functionalized gold nanoparticles selectively bind the lipophilic, polyanionic biomarker PIP3 (orange) vs. hydrophilic ones, such as IP3 (red), with promising application in its extraction from biological fluids.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 743-747
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02088B
Phosphine-catalysed denitrative rearomatising (3 + 2) annulation of α,β-ynones and 3-nitroindoles
The first rearomatising (3 + 2) annulation of 3-nitroindoles and α,β-ynones has been achieved under metal-free conditions to access various α-arylidene cyclopenta[b]indoles.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 738-742
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02180C
Divergent cyclodimerizations of styrylnaphthols under aerobic visible-light irradiation and Brønsted acid catalysis
Dimeric cyclization reactions show great potential to rapidly form highly substituted complex cyclic molecules from simple starting materials.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022,20, 9593-9599
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01509A
Squaramides for colorimetric and fluorescent anion sensing
Simple squaramides bearing two fluorophores provide either colourimetric or fluorescent responses to oxoanions. Insertion of a methylene spacer between the fluorophore and squaramide leads to a ratiometirc fluorescent response to anions.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 3226-3234
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3OB00069A
Defining the substrate scope of DNAzyme catalysis for reductive amination with aliphatic amines
In vitro selection led to DNAzymes for N-alkylation of aliphatic amines by reductive amination and established a limit on the substrate scope of this catalysis.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 1910-1919
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3OB00070B
Stereoselective synthesis of the spirocyclic core of 13-desmethyl spirolide C using an aza-Claisen rearrangement and an exo-selective Diels–Alder cycloaddition
This work details a novel approach to access the [7,6]-spirocyclic fragment of 13-desmethyl spirolide C. A more efficient synthesis of the key lactam dienophile is reported, and a comprehensive investigation of the Diels-Alder reaction is included.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 1222-1234
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01992B
Molecular torsion springs: alteration of helix curvature in frustrated tertiary folds
Fulfilling stabilizing hydrogen bonds in a synthetic helix–turn–helix structure may concomitantly generate conformational frustration.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 1275-1283
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02109A
A highly efficient metal-free selective 1,4-addition of difluoroenoxysilanes to chromones
An efficient HOTf-catalyzed 1,4-addition reaction of difluoroenoxysilanes to chromones was developed, providing rapid access to valuable C2-difluoroalkylated chroman-4-ones. 3g showed antiproliferative effect on HCT116 cells with an IC50 of 6.37 μM.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 1033-1037
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02152H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Tricyclic octaurea “Temples” for the recognition of polar molecules in water
New second-generation “Temples” with bis-urea pillars and pyrenyl roof/floors show selective binding to polar aromatic compounds in aqueous media, with strong fluorescence responses.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2023,21, 525-532
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB02061K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.148/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
One-pot ester and thioester formation mediated by pentafluoropyridine (PFP)
The use of pentafluoropyridine (PFP) is reported in ester and thioester coupling reactions. The reaction proceeds via an in situ generated acyl fluoride intermediate.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022,20, 8059-8064
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB01268E
About this collection
We are delighted to celebrate Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry’s 20th anniversary in 2023!
This special issue celebrates and thanks members of our community who have supported the journal over the last two decades, including those who have served as members of OBC’s Editorial and Advisory Boards. We are honoured that these authors helped OBC get to where it is today and continue to share their latest discoveries with us.
OBC was launched in 2003 to continue the proud tradition of publications reaching back all the way to the Journal of the Chemical Society (1849-1965). Over the last two decades it has become a hub for high quality and diverse research in the organic chemistry community. We believe OBC will continue to be a home to innovative and impactful research for many years to come and we hope you enjoy reading the range of papers featured in this collection.