Edge Article
An argument for abandoning the “allowed” and “forbidden” classification of electrocyclic reactions
The energy gaps between “forbidden” and “allowed” mechanisms of routine electrocyclic reactions can be negligibly small.
Edge Article
Mutually antagonistic molecular clips: symmetry-breaking non-covalent bonds at the chiral–nonchiral interface
Life's homochirality may have emerged from mutual antagonism. As a synthetic model, chiral molecular clips form mirror-image dimers with a record-high 180-fold selectivity, effectively amplifying and transmitting asymmetry.
Edge Article
Precise functionalization in nano-confinement: a bottom-up approach to the evolution of selective molecular receptors
Precise endo-functionalization tailors the host cavity to fit the shape and charge distribution of target guest molecules, offering a novel bottom-up strategy for constructing customized molecular receptors.
Edge Article
Discovery of fully synthetic FKBP12-mTOR molecular glues
We discovered a fully synthetic non-degradative molecular glue for the ternary complex between FKBP12 and the FRB domain of mTOR by screening a library of FKBP12 ligands. Solving the ternary complex structure allowed significant potency enhancement.
Edge Article
Tuning the interlayer stacking of a vinylene-linked covalent organic framework for enhancing sacrificial agent-free hydrogen peroxide photoproduction
This work reports an efficient strategy to tailor the stacking mode in 2D vinylene-linked covalent triazine frameworks by regulating the base-catalyst with different alkali-metal ions.
Edge Article
Stacked-ring aromaticity from the viewpoint of the effective number of π-electrons
High-level quantum chemical calculations for closely stacked π-dimers of antiaromatic molecules have revealed that the appearance of the double-triplet [1(T1T1)] character is critical to connecting the stacked-ring aromaticity with Baird's rule.
About this collection
In 2018, the Chemical Science Editorial Team launched ‘ChemSci Pick of the Week’ as a means to select and promote our favourite articles from the week and share them with the wider chemical community.
This on-going web collection showcases all ChemSci Picks from 2025, which are highlighted on our journal social media pages via the #ChemSciPicks hashtag.