Themed collection New Talent

Recent synthetic methods involving carbon radicals generated by electrochemical catalysis
The review discusses recent advances in electrocatalytic radical coupling reactions involving carbon-centered radical species.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00424K
Enzyme directed evolution using genetically encodable biosensors
This review discusses the application of genetically-encodable biosensors toward enzyme directed evolution.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00443G

The use of bromopyridazinedione derivatives in chemical biology
Herein we disclose the chemically unique features of the pyridazinedione scaffold and how these have been applied in various bioconjugation methodologies.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00310D
Total synthesis of (±)-mersicarpine following a 6-exo-trig radical cyclization
A concise total synthesis of racemic mersicarpine is achieved featuring an application of a 6-exo-trig radical cyclization of a 2-indolyl radical.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00620K
H–F bond insertions into α-diazo carbonyl compounds
A new protocol for the fluorination of various α-diazo carbonyl compounds is reported employing HF·pyr (Olah reagent). The method can be performed open-flask, is metal-free, and shows a broad scope.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00400C
Decyanation–(hetero)arylation of malononitriles to access α-(hetero)arylnitriles
In this manuscript, we report a new strategy to access α-(hetero)arylnitriles from malononitrile, a commodity chemical. The reaction proceeds through a one-pot decyanation (via transnitrilation) and subsequent nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00236A
Fluorogenic sydnonimine probes for orthogonal labeling
Sydnonimine fluorogenic probes with a high turn-on ratio were designed and synthesized, releasing near-infrared fluorescence via a strain-promoted “click-and-release” reaction.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00159D
Copper-catalyzed aerobic benzylic C(sp3)–H lactonization of 2-alkylbenzamides via N-centered radicals
We developed a novel copper-catalyzed benzolactone synthesis via 1,5-HAT of amidyl radicals from 2-alkylbenzamides under O2 atmosphere.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00281G
Total synthesis of (±)-vinoxine: construction of the bridged pyrido[1,2-a]indole skeleton via Tf2O-mediated Bischler–Napieralski reaction and stereoselective radical cyclization
The total synthesis of (±)-vinoxine was achieved featuring the assembly of a substituted tetrahydropyrido[1,2-a]indole skeleton through the Tf2O-mediated Bischler–Napieralski reaction.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00274D
Visible-light-mediated oxidative C–S bond cleavage of benzyl thiols through in situ activation strategy
A visible-light-mediated oxidative C–S bond cleavage of benzyl thiols through an in situ activation strategy was developed.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00089J
Copper-catalysed one-pot hydroboration/azidation/cycloaddition
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00635A
Dipeptide self-assembly into water-channels and gel biomaterial
Heterochiral Phe–Val self-assembles into water-channels and forms a cell-biocompatible hydrogel biomaterial.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00622G
Development of an ATP-independent bioluminescent probe for detection of extracellular hydrogen peroxide
The synthesis and evaluation of a new ATP-independent bioluminescent probe for H2O2 detection is described and applied toward intra- and extracellular detection in a breast cancer cell model.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00436D
Who stole the proton? Suspect general base guanine found with a smoking gun in the pistol ribozyme
Computational structural investigation (CSI) points to a new primary suspect as the general base in pistol ribozyme catalysis.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00234E
Transamidation of thioamides with nucleophilic amines: thioamide N–C(S) activation by ground-state-destabilization
We present a general strategy for activation of N–C(S) thioamide bonds by ground-state-destabilization in the context of a full study on transamidation of thioamides with nucleophilic amines.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00412G
Back electron transfer rates determine the photoreactivity of donor–acceptor stilbene complexes in a macrocyclic host
We investigated the photochemistry of ternary complexes of a cucurbit[8]uril host and donor–acceptor stilbene guests. We found that slow back electron transfer rates allow [2 + 2] photocycloadditions to proceed after photoinitiated charge transfer.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00472K
Mechanistic investigation of enolate/stabilized vinylogous carbanion-mediated organocatalytic azide (3 + 2) cycloaddition reactions for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles
Studies of two organocatalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions are provided, with investigation of the elementary steps, intermediates, and transition states in terms of DFT calculations, supported by 1H NMR monitoring, along with DIAS analysis.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00391K
A predictive and mechanistic statistical modelling workflow for improving decision making in organic synthesis and catalysis
Multivariate logistic regression models can be developed and utilized as a strategy to streamline the reaction optimization process.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00272H

Modular synthesis of triazoles from 2-azidoacrylamides having a nucleophilic amino group
Assembling methods using 2-azidoacrylamides having an amino group are disclosed, and they were used to synthesize 2-azidoacrylamides having a fluorosulfonyl group. We achieved consecutive click reactions using the new trivalent platform.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00151A

Sulfonated red and far-red rhodamines to visualize SNAP- and Halo-tagged cell surface proteins
Sulfonated rhodamine dyes allow SNAP- and Halo-tag labelling of cell surface protein fusions. A far-red version can be used for STED nanoscopy.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1OB02216D

Supramolecular self-associating amphiphiles: determination of molecular self-association properties and calculation of critical micelle concentration using a high-throughput, optical density based methodology
A microplate reader assay to enable the characterisation of amphiphile self-assembly processes and derivation of the critical micelle concentration (CMC).
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2OB00066K
Cross-conjugation controls the stabilities and photophysical properties of heteroazoarene photoswitches
Azoarene photoswitches are versatile molecules that interconvert from their E-isomer to their Z-isomer with light.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1OB02026A
A supramolecular host for phosphatidylglycerol (PG) lipids with antibacterial activity
Various small molecules containing boronic acid and urea functionalities are shown to bind selectively to the bacterial lipid PG (phosphatidylglycerol) and exert antibacterial activity through a membrane-related mechanism.
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2022, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1OB02298A
About this collection
This New Talent issue aims to highlight the excellent work being carried out by early career members of our research community.
It will cover topics including organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and chemical biology, and showcase the strength of research being carried out by tomorrow's leaders in the field.
Articles in this themed issue will be added below as soon as possible after they are published. Please return to this page frequently to see the collection grow.