Themed collection 2023 Pioneering Investigators
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Understanding photochemical degradation mechanisms in photoactive layer materials for organic solar cells
This review provides a historic overview of the photodegradation mechanisms of photoactive materials in organic solar cells, shedding light on the role of photochemical photodegradation pathways to pave the way for stable organic photovoltaics.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024,53, 7426-7454
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CS00132J
Harnessing alcohols as sustainable reagents for late-stage functionalisation: synthesis of drugs and bio-inspired compounds
This review collectively discussed the utilisation of alcohols in various organic transformations and their application toward intermediates of drugs, drug derivatives and natural product-like molecules.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024,53, 4607-4647
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00942D
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%VBur index and steric maps: from predictive catalysis to machine learning
Steric indices are parameters used in chemistry to describe the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups of atoms in molecules.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024,53, 853-882
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00725A
Chemical technology principles for selective bioconjugation of proteins and antibodies
Disintegrating multiple selectivity attributes through reversible steps provides excellent control over reaction parameters and precision in protein bioconjugation. This approach enables hypothesis-driven research in the field.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024,53, 380-449
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00715D
Towards multimodal cellular imaging: optical and X-ray fluorescence
This review provides an overview of recent studies where optical and X-ray fluorescence imaging have been performed in combination in multimodal studies of cellular systems.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 8295-8318
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00509G
Transition-metal catalyzed C–H activation as a means of synthesizing complex natural products
Over the past few decades, the advent of C–H activation has led to a rethink among chemists about the synthetic strategies employed for multi-step transformations.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 7461-7503
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00282A
Advances in photothermal regulation strategies: from efficient solar heating to daytime passive cooling
This review provides a comprehensive overview of photothermal regulation strategies from fundamentals, criteria, and advanced materials to emerging applications.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 7389-7460
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00500C
Proton transfer kinetics of transition metal hydride complexes and implications for fuel-forming reactions
This review discusses proton transfer kinetics for reactions involving transition metal hydride complexes, highlighting the techniques used to measure proton transfer rate constants and the implications for fuel-forming reactions.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 7137-7169
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00355H
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Keeping the chromophores crossed: evidence for null exciton splitting
Attempts to identify and probe atypical molecular aggregates focusing on the less explored null aggregates. The null aggregate was foretold by Kasha to possess null exciton interaction leading to spectroscopically uncoupled molecular assembly.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 6664-6679
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00176H
Covalent connections between metal–organic frameworks and polymers including covalent organic frameworks
The development and strategies for covalently connected MOFs-polymers (including COFs) composites have summarized and reviewed along with their applications.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 6379-6416
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00302G
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The crucial role of silver(I)-salts as additives in C–H activation reactions: overall analysis of their versatility and applicability
This review discusses the important role of silver(I) salts as additives in transition-metal catalyzed C–H activation, and depicts the discussion about the current shift towards Ag-free procedures, as plausible and sustainable alternatives.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 6359-6378
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00328K
Reactions of main group compounds with azides forming organic nitrogen-containing species
Main group compounds react with azides leading to diverse N-containing molecules. In this review, the reactions of main group compounds with various azides are summarized, emphatically highlighting their reaction patterns and mechanisms.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 5563-5606
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00290J
Near-infrared metal agents assisting precision medicine: from strategic design to bioimaging and therapeutic applications
Metal agents have made incredible strides in preclinical research and clinical applications, but their short emission/absorption wavelengths continue to be a barrier to their distribution, therapeutic action, visual tracking, and efficacy evaluation.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 4392-4442
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00227F
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Impact of doping on the mechanical properties of conjugated polymers
Chemical and electrochemical doping can strongly alter the electrical but also mechanical properties of conjugated polymers, which may enable new types of tunable materials and devices of interest for wearable electronics and bioelectronics.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2024,53, 1702-1729
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00833A
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Designing biodegradable alternatives to commodity polymers
This tutorial review explores the concepts of sustainable design and biodegradability, as applied to the design of synthetic polymers intended for use at scale.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 8085-8105
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00556A
Developing electrochemical hydrogenation towards industrial application
Electrochemical hydrogenation reactions hold the promise of more sustainable production routes for towards bulk and fine chemicals. Their broad applicability, reactor concepts, achieved milestones and future perspectives are described herein.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 7305-7332
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00419H
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Imperfections are not 0 K: free energy of point defects in crystals
Temperature plays an important role in the formation of point defects. We review different contributions to defect free energies and how to model them, outlining strategies to reduce the associated computational burden.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 5812-5826
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00432E
Molecular substrates for the construction of afterglow imaging probes in disease diagnosis and treatment
This tutorial review introduces recent advances in molecular afterglow imaging using organic materials with a focus on afterglow substrates, afterglow mechanisms, design principles of afterglow imaging probes, and their biomedical applications.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2023,52, 4549-4566
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CS00006K
About this collection
To complement our biennial Emerging Investigators collection, we are delighted to present the 2023 Pioneering Investigators collection. This new special collection showcases high quality research being carried out by international researchers who are more established in their independent careers and have been recognised as making a significant contribution to their field.
New articles will be added to this collection as they are published.