Themed collection Editors’ Choice Collection

30 items
Open Access Perspective

Chromium complexes for luminescence, solar cells, photoredox catalysis, upconversion, and phototriggered NO release

Cr(III) and Cr(0) complexes are earth-abundant alternatives to photosensitizers that are commonly made from precious metals.

Graphical abstract: Chromium complexes for luminescence, solar cells, photoredox catalysis, upconversion, and phototriggered NO release
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Perspective

Fully conjugated ladder polymers

Syntheses, properties and applications of fully conjugated ladder polymers are reviewed, together with an outlook to future opportunities and challenges.

Graphical abstract: Fully conjugated ladder polymers
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Perspective

Block copolymers: controlling nanostructure to generate functional materials – synthesis, characterization, and engineering

In this perspective, we survey recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of block copolymers, discuss several key materials opportunities enabled by block copolymers, and highlight some of the challenges that currently limit further realization of block copolymers in promising nanoscale applications.

Graphical abstract: Block copolymers: controlling nanostructure to generate functional materials – synthesis, characterization, and engineering
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Minireview

Mechanochemistry of the mechanical bond

Strong and stable under tension?

Graphical abstract: Mechanochemistry of the mechanical bond
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Interfacing porphyrins and carbon nanotubes through mechanical links

U-shaped bisporphyrin molecules are clipped around SWCNTs using ring-closing metathesis yielding rotaxane-type derivatives, in which porphyrins and SWCNTs are connected through mechanical links.

Graphical abstract: Interfacing porphyrins and carbon nanotubes through mechanical links
From the themed collection: 2018 Chemical Science HOT Article Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Reversibly tuning hydrogel stiffness through photocontrolled dynamic covalent crosslinks

By controlling the stability of dynamic covalent crosslinks with adjacent photoswitches, the stiffness of an adaptable hydrogel is tuned reversibly.

Graphical abstract: Reversibly tuning hydrogel stiffness through photocontrolled dynamic covalent crosslinks
From the themed collection: New reactivity in organic chemistry
Open Access Edge Article

White-light emission from a single organic compound with unique self-folded conformation and multistimuli responsiveness

White-light emission from a single molecule was realized and tuned via multistimuli including excitation, solvent polarity, temperature and host–guest interactions.

Graphical abstract: White-light emission from a single organic compound with unique self-folded conformation and multistimuli responsiveness
Open Access Edge Article

Pyrene hydrogel for promoting direct bioelectrochemistry: ATP-independent electroenzymatic reduction of N2

We demonstrate a novel hydrogel material to facilitate direct bioelectrochemistry of a wide range of redox proteins and enable ATP-independent electroenzymatic reduction of N2 by nitrogenase.

Graphical abstract: Pyrene hydrogel for promoting direct bioelectrochemistry: ATP-independent electroenzymatic reduction of N2
From the themed collection: Biohybrid approaches for energy conversion
Open Access Edge Article

The chemical identity, state and structure of catalytically active centers during the electrochemical CO2 reduction on porous Fe–nitrogen–carbon (Fe–N–C) materials

We report novel structure–activity relationships and explore the chemical state and structure of catalytically active sites under operando conditions during the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) catalyzed by a series of porous iron–nitrogen–carbon (FeNC) catalysts.

Graphical abstract: The chemical identity, state and structure of catalytically active centers during the electrochemical CO2 reduction on porous Fe–nitrogen–carbon (Fe–N–C) materials
From the themed collection: Most popular 2018-2019 catalysis articles
Open Access Edge Article

Phase-segregated NiPx@FePyOz core@shell nanoparticles: ready-to-use nanocatalysts for electro- and photo-catalytic water oxidation through in situ activation by structural transformation and spontaneous ligand removal

The phase-segregated NiPx@FePyOz core@shell NPs act as a colloidally stable, ready-to-use, and excellent OER active transition metal phosphide-based catalyst.

Graphical abstract: Phase-segregated NiPx@FePyOz core@shell nanoparticles: ready-to-use nanocatalysts for electro- and photo-catalytic water oxidation through in situ activation by structural transformation and spontaneous ligand removal
Open Access Edge Article

Self-assembled orthoester cryptands: orthoester scope, post-functionalization, kinetic locking and tunable degradation kinetics

Self-assembled orthoester cryptands offer appealing properties for applications in ion sensing and transport, such as convenient post-functionalization and tunable biodegradation.

Graphical abstract: Self-assembled orthoester cryptands: orthoester scope, post-functionalization, kinetic locking and tunable degradation kinetics
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Redox and photocatalytic properties of a NiII complex with a macrocyclic biquinazoline (Mabiq) ligand

Upon irradiation with visible light, the NiII complex 1 is converted to the reduced form 2 in the presence of NEt3. The Ni-based photosensitizer catalyzes the cyclization of a bromoalkyl-substituted indole.

Graphical abstract: Redox and photocatalytic properties of a NiII complex with a macrocyclic biquinazoline (Mabiq) ligand
From the themed collection: Editor's choice - Paolo Melchiorre
Open Access Edge Article

ZnSe quantum dots modified with a Ni(cyclam) catalyst for efficient visible-light driven CO2 reduction in water

A robust precious metal-free photocatalyst system comprised of ligand-free ZnSe quantum dots and a phosphonic acid-functionalised Ni(cyclam) catalyst achieves efficient reduction of aqueous CO2 to CO.

Graphical abstract: ZnSe quantum dots modified with a Ni(cyclam) catalyst for efficient visible-light driven CO2 reduction in water
Open Access Edge Article

Understanding light-driven H2 evolution through the electronic tuning of aminopyridine cobalt complexes

Electronic effects provide a general mechanistic scenario for rationalizing photocatalytic water reduction activity with aminopyridine cobalt complexes.

Graphical abstract: Understanding light-driven H2 evolution through the electronic tuning of aminopyridine cobalt complexes
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Extraction of nickel from NiFe-LDH into Ni2P@NiFe hydroxide as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient overall water splitting

Ni2P@FePOx has been synthesized via extraction and selective phosphorization of nickel in NiFe-LDH, and then conversed to a new heterostructure of Ni2P@NiFe hydroxide (P-NiFe) during water splitting. P-NiFe can act as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting.

Graphical abstract: Extraction of nickel from NiFe-LDH into Ni2P@NiFe hydroxide as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient overall water splitting
Open Access Edge Article

A highly efficient double-hierarchical sulfur host for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries

A double-hierarchical sulfur host has been synthesized in which hierarchical carbon spheres, constructed from building blocks of hollow carbon nanobubbles used for loading sulfur, are sealed by a polar MoS2 coating that is composed of ultrathin nanosheets (MoS2@HCS composite).

Graphical abstract: A highly efficient double-hierarchical sulfur host for advanced lithium–sulfur batteries
Open Access Edge Article

Unveiling hole trapping and surface dynamics of NiO nanoparticles

Mesoporous NiO is used as p-type material in photoelectrochemical energy conversion devices. The presence of two kinds of hole traps can affect device performance. Here, after band-gap excitation, the relaxation of the hole into two different traps was observed and characterized.

Graphical abstract: Unveiling hole trapping and surface dynamics of NiO nanoparticles
From the themed collection: Most popular 2018-2019 nanoscience articles
Open Access Edge Article

Variations in the fuel structure control the rate of the back and forth motions of a chemically fuelled molecular switch

Moderate variations in the fuel structure cause large changes in the rate of the back and forth motions experienced by a chemically fuelled catenane-based switch.

Graphical abstract: Variations in the fuel structure control the rate of the back and forth motions of a chemically fuelled molecular switch
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Machine learning for quantum dynamics: deep learning of excitation energy transfer properties

Understanding the relationship between the structure of light-harvesting systems and their excitation energy transfer properties is of fundamental importance in many applications including the development of next generation photovoltaics.

Graphical abstract: Machine learning for quantum dynamics: deep learning of excitation energy transfer properties
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Bond breakage under pressure in a metal organic framework

The internal free volume of porous materials diminishes upon mechanical compression, and such volume collapse can have chemical consequences.

Graphical abstract: Bond breakage under pressure in a metal organic framework
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Hollowing out MOFs: hierarchical micro- and mesoporous MOFs with tailorable porosity via selective acid etching

We report a new strategy for the synthesis of robust hierarchical micro- and mesoporous MOFs from water stable MOFs via a selective acid etching process.

Graphical abstract: Hollowing out MOFs: hierarchical micro- and mesoporous MOFs with tailorable porosity via selective acid etching
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Is iron unique in promoting electrical conductivity in MOFs?

Identifying the metal ions that optimize charge transport and charge density in metal–organic frameworks is critical for systematic improvements in the electrical conductivity in these materials.

Graphical abstract: Is iron unique in promoting electrical conductivity in MOFs?
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Functional metal–organic framework boosting lithium metal anode performance via chemical interactions

Stable-cycling Li metal anode is realized with a MOF layer regulating Li-ion transport and Li deposition via chemical interactions.

Graphical abstract: Functional metal–organic framework boosting lithium metal anode performance via chemical interactions
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Effect of ring rotation upon gas adsorption in SIFSIX-3-M (M = Fe, Ni) pillared square grid networks

Dynamic and flexible metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that respond to external stimuli, such as stress, light, heat, and the presence of guest molecules, hold promise for applications in chemical sensing, drug delivery, gas separations, and catalysis.

Graphical abstract: Effect of ring rotation upon gas adsorption in SIFSIX-3-M (M = Fe, Ni) pillared square grid networks
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

AIE-active theranostic system: selective staining and killing of cancer cells

A mitochondrion-specific AIEgen is a theranostic molecule, with the function of lighting up and killing cancer cells rather than normal cells.

Graphical abstract: AIE-active theranostic system: selective staining and killing of cancer cells
Open Access Edge Article

Activity modulation and allosteric control of a scaffolded DNAzyme using a dynamic DNA nanostructure

We report a DNA nanotechnology-enabled approach for the rational design of an allosteric deoxyribozyme by precisely and dynamically controlling the nanometer-scale interactions of two catalytic centers within a well-defined tetrahedral DNA scaffold.

Graphical abstract: Activity modulation and allosteric control of a scaffolded DNAzyme using a dynamic DNA nanostructure
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

An enantioselective artificial Suzukiase based on the biotin–streptavidin technology

Introduction of a biotinylated monophosphine palladium complex within streptavidin affords an enantioselective artificial Suzukiase. Site-directed mutagenesis allowed the optimization of the activity and the enantioselectivity of this artificial metalloenzyme. A variety of atropisomeric biaryls were produced in good yields and up to 90% ee.

Graphical abstract: An enantioselective artificial Suzukiase based on the biotin–streptavidin technology
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Next-generation disulfide stapling: reduction and functional re-bridging all in one

A next-generation disulfide stapling reagent, incorporating both reducing and re-bridging functions, is shown to be successful across various proteins.

Graphical abstract: Next-generation disulfide stapling: reduction and functional re-bridging all in one
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Assembly line termination in cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis: discovery of an editing type II thioesterase domain in a type I polyketide synthase

Investigation of cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis reveals a C-terminal thioesterase domain involved in PKS assembly line editing, not termination.

Graphical abstract: Assembly line termination in cylindrocyclophane biosynthesis: discovery of an editing type II thioesterase domain in a type I polyketide synthase
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Polymerization-induced thermal self-assembly (PITSA)

Polymerization-induced thermal self-assembly (PITSA) was conducted using thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) to result in micelle, worm, and vesicle polymeric morphologies.

Graphical abstract: Polymerization-induced thermal self-assembly (PITSA)
From the themed collection: Editors’ Choice Collection
30 items

About this collection

This collection of Chemical Science articles has been put together by a number of our Associate Editors, including Vincent Artero, Luis Campos, Michelle Chang, Mircea Dinca, Steve Goldup and Jihong Yu.  These world-leading experts have selected the articles which inspire them, and as all articles in Chemical Science are open access, you can also discover and share the kind of high quality research that they’re passionate about.

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