Themed collection Frontiers Emerging Investigators Series

In this review, we highlight the recent synthetic methodology development for the formation of C–N and C–O bonds via visible-light-driven nickel catalysis, with in-depth discussions with reaction designs and mechanistic scenarios.

This review gives focused attention on in vivo anion imaging based on activatable organic photoacoustic probes, with emphasis on imaging mechanisms at the molecular level, to inspire innovative ideas for future theranostics of diseases.

The rapid advancement of nanomaterials has promoted the booming of nanozymes capable of mimicking natural enzymes.

This review summarizes the development status of chiral TADF-active materials with CPEL, covering chiral perturbed TADF molecules, intrinsically chiral TADF molecules, and TADFsensitized fluorescent enantiomers.

A synthetic modulation approach has given rise to two topologically distinct thorium-based MOFs, whose polymorphism allows for elucidating how the structure of MOF, in isolation, influences the sensing efficacy of Cr(VI) oxyanions.

The protein aggregation is successfully monitored using the intrinsic abnormal visible emission at the clustering state, namely clusteroluminescence (CL).

An analogue of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) inhibitor Ru265 containing axial ferrocenecarboxylate ligands is reported. This new complex exhibits enhanced cellular uptake compared to the parent compound Ru265.

A crystal of Zn(II) complex shows temperature-dependent 10% contraction/expansion and a continuous pyroelectric current corresponding to a scissor motion of molecules.

We describe the Cr-catalyzed enantioconvergent synthesis of chiral 2,3-allenones from aldehydes and propargyl bromides, which features an unprecedented cascade of Cr-catalyzed asymmetric reductive radical–polar crossover and Oppenauer oxidation.

By introducing conjugated aromatic Schiff base cations, we successfully obtained a novel organic–inorganic solid-state quadratic nonlinear optical switching material with a high operating temperature.

Selective growth of Pd and Pt on the edges of Au(111) supported FeO islands was observed. The complicated interfaces formed in selective growth raise a platform for the research of edge involved catalytic reactions.

The nucleation and dynamic evolution of twinned intermetallic nanocrystals are critical for regulating the interface structures and modulating the CO tolerant hydrogenation.

The readily available pyrimidinyl sulfones, in which the C–S bond is cleaved selectively, could serve as electrophiles in the Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to prepare 2,4-diarylated pyrimidines under mild conditions with a broad scope.

A Ni complex containing a N₂O₂ ligand is active for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Mechanistic studies suggest the formation of hydrogen-bonded adducts facilitates hydride formation and near barrierless hydride protonation.

The synthesis of discriminated 4,5-disubstitued pyrene from phenangermoles is accomplished via a Pd-catalyzed annulative π-extension reaction.

A self-assembled porphyrin cube can be metalated/transmetalated to contain fourteen cobalt ions in two different environments. The Co(II) metalloporphyrin sites are electrocatalytically active to selectively generate hydrogen peroxide from oxygen.

This work not only reports Bi³⁺ and/or Ln³⁺ doped LiLuGeO₄ storage phosphors with excellent charge carrier storage capacity for information storage, but also deepens our understanding on afterglow and storage phosphors and luminescence mechanisms.

A cationization and cyano introduction molecular engineering strategy is reported to develop AIE-active photosensitizers for high-efficiency PDT eradication of drug-resistant bacteria.

Cationic sites fixed on an Fe–N–C catalyst modulate the electric field in the double layer and facilitate electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia in solutions of ionic strength comparable to that of actual river water.

The porous carbon embedded with hollow cobalt oxide nanoparticles was prepared via a spray-drying method followed by carbonization, which endows rechargeable zinc–air batteries with the improved bifunctional catalytic activity.

Cyanostilbene and naphthalimide are incorporated to construct novel dual-state emission luminogens (DSEgens), which show highly efficient photoluminescence and two-photon absorption properties in both dilute solution and the aggregated state.

Flexible manufacturing of holographic polymer nanocomposites has been realized by the synergy of hydrogen bonding networks with thiol–ene click reaction, which allows for the reconstruction of polarization-sensitive 3D images for advanced security.

Free-standing FeF₃@C attained via in situ etching and gas fluoridization. Due to the nanoarrays structure, this cathode effectively moderated volume fluctuation and enhanced diffusion kinetic, thus attaining superior electrochemical properties.

We report the synthesis and analysis of a series of conjugated ladder-type heteroarene model π-donor compounds, followed by computational and experimental mechanistic investigations of their π–π interactions and doping processes with the electron-deficient dopant F₄TCNQ.

The self-assembly via the cation–π interaction is a promising method for the synthesis of ordered supramolecular systems. Here, we propose a cation–π-based “sandwich”-like binding pattern to prepare an ordered and stable 3D supramolecular polymer.

Atomically precise alkynyl-protected copper(I) nanoclusters (CuNCs) have been prepared, and they exhibit high phosphorescence quantum yield, short lifetime, and fast radiative decay rate, which are rarely observed in atomically precise CuNCs.

A novel microporous boron cluster pillared metal–organic framework BSF-10 was synthesized with ligand inclusion for efficient C₂H₂/CO₂ and C₂H₂/C₂H₄ adsorption separation.

By using S-(2-aminoethyl)isothiouronium (ETU) as the templating cation, five new metal iodide hybrids, (ETU)GeI₄, (ETU)₄Ge₅I₁₈, (ETU)PbI₄ and (ETU)₃Pb₂I₁₀ are reported with varied C–S–C angles in the organic cation.

A hybrid supramolecular system containing redox compartments has been successfully developed for visible-light-driven overall water splitting in the ambient environment.

Two new polymorphism of BaGa₄S₇ was successfully discovered and synthesized. Among them, β-BaGa₄S₇ exhibits the best balance among a large phase-matching SHG response and a wide band gap, as well as the stable physicochemical property.