Themed collection Primer
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How to make an efficient and robust molecular catalyst for water oxidation
The key factors to design an efficient and rugged molecular water oxidation catalyst (Mol-WOC) are reviewed and discussed.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 6088-6098
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00248C
Designing effective ‘frustrated Lewis pair’ hydrogenation catalysts
This review offers a rational guide to developing efficient FLP hydrogenation catalysts by considering the key factors governing their effectiveness.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 5689-5700
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00154A
Mastering the non-equilibrium assembly and operation of molecular machines
External fluctuations can drive formation of a non-equilibrium steady state.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 5491-5507
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00068E
Privileged chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands for asymmetric transition-metal catalysis
An overview on the most successful chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in asymmetric catalysis is given.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 4845-4854
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00200A
Methods for the detection and identification of pathogenic bacteria: past, present, and future
In this tutorial review, the techniques involved in the detection of pathogenic bacteria are described.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 4818-4832
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00693K
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Promises, facts and challenges for graphene in biomedical applications
Graphene-based materials can contribute favorably to the biomedical field. Particularly promising areas of development include sensors, controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 4400-4416
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00363C
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Photoelectrochemical devices for solar water splitting – materials and challenges
PEC water splitting, characterized by the separate production of H2 and O2, is one promising solution for a sustainable society.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 4645-4660
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00306K
Theory of 2D crystals: graphene and beyond
This tutorial review presents an overview of the basic theoretical aspects of two-dimensional (2D) crystals.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 4387-4399
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00210F
Expanding applications of SERS through versatile nanomaterials engineering
Nanomaterials engineering and synthetic chemistry continues to expand the range of applications for surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 3886-3903
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00207F
Biocatalysis engineering: the big picture
In this tutorial review we describe a holistic approach to the invention, development and optimisation of biotransformations utilising isolated enzymes.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 2678-2691
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00854B
Supramolecular materials
Molecular material properties depend upon the contacts between and the arrangement of the component parts, and therefore supramolecular chemistry has developed a highly important role in this area.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 2404-2420
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00163K
New trends in the functionalization of metallic gold: from organosulfur ligands to N-heterocyclic carbenes
Gold is a key metal in nanotechnology but ligands are required for surface stabilization and functionalization. This tutorial review highlights the recent progress from organosulfur to N-heterocyclic carbene surface ligands for gold.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 2057-2075
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CS00023E
Hypervalency, secondary bonding and hydrogen bonding: siblings under the skin
The common features of the title topics are compared and contrasted.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 1720-1729
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00688D
Chirality in curved polyaromatic systems
Chiral non-planar polyaromatic systems that display zero, positive or negative Gaussian curvature are analysed and their potential to ‘encode’ chirality of larger sp2-carbon allotropes is evaluated. Shown is a hypothetical peanut-shaped carbon allotrope, where helical chirality results from the interplay of various curvature types.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 1643-1660
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00623J
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Multi-step continuous-flow synthesis
Multi-step organic synthesis in continuous-flow systems has been Reviewed from 2009 onwards.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 1250-1271
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00830E
Using titanium complexes to defeat cancer: the view from the shoulders of titans
Seeking ‘unifying mechanisms of action’ in titanium anti-cancer agents: a 40 year odyssey.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 1040-1051
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00860G
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Strategies for sensing neurotransmitters with responsive MRI contrast agents
This review introduces current and potential chemistry approaches in molecular fMRI that allow direct imaging of neurotransmitters.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 324-336
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00154H
Kekulenes, cycloarenes, and heterocycloarenes: addressing electronic structure and aromaticity through experiments and calculations
A tutorial review describing kekulene and other cycloarenes, their synthesis, and the fundamental concepts of aromaticity they taught.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2017,46, 7-20
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00174B
CRISPR/Cas9: a historical and chemical biology perspective of targeted genome engineering
The development and adaptation of CRISPR–Cas9 as a genome editing tool and chemical biology approaches for modulating its activity.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 6666-6684
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00197A
Computing organic stereoselectivity – from concepts to quantitative calculations and predictions
This tutorial review outlines the theory and practice of computational modeling applied to understanding and predicting stereoselectivity.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 6093-6107
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00573J
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Computational materials design of crystalline solids
Recent advances in the computational techniques and procedures for the design of functional materials are reviewed.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 6138-6146
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00841G
The photophysics of photoredox catalysis: a roadmap for catalyst design
The photophysical properties of transition metal-based charge-transfer chromophores are discussed with an eye toward their application in organic photoredox catalysis.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 5803-5820
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00526H
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Microjets and coated wheels: versatile tools for exploring collisions and reactions at gas–liquid interfaces
Scattering experiments using liquid microjets provide a window into collisions and reactions at the surfaces of high vapor pressure liquids.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 3609-3620
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6CS00079G
Quantum state resolved gas–surface reaction dynamics experiments: a tutorial review
This tutorial review provides an introduction and overview of quantum state resolved reactivity measurements for methane chemisorption on transition metal surfaces.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 3576-3594
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00476D
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Development of deep subsurface Raman spectroscopy for medical diagnosis and disease monitoring
The advent of non-invasive deep Raman techniques heralds the emergence of novel diagnostic and disease monitoring methods.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 1794-1802
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00466G
Phosphorus Lewis acids: emerging reactivity and applications in catalysis
Part of the renaissance in main group chemistry has been a result of the focus on reactivity and catalysis. In this tutorial review, we focus attention on the role of phosphorus-based Lewis acids in such advances.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016,45, 765-774
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00516G
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Natural inorganic nanoparticles – formation, fate, and toxicity in the environment
Naturally occurring metal nanoparticles are formed via physical and biogeochemical processes in the environment wherein natural organic matter plays an important role in their occurrence, stability, and toxicity.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 8410-8423
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5CS00236B
Industrial applications of nanoparticles
This tutorial review analyses where nanoparticle research has left the laboratory and today contributes to valuable products.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 5793-5805
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CS00362D
Green chemistry for nanoparticle synthesis
This review describes the principles of green chemistry applied to the field of nanoparticle synthesis.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 5778-5792
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CS00363B
Cell surface-based sensing with metallic nanoparticles
Nanoparticles provide versatile platforms for cell-surface sensing for diagnostic and screening applications.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 4264-4274
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CS00387J
Understanding catalysis
Catalysts often perform miraculous transformations of reactants A to very different products P in seemingly a single step. Such catalysts appear as a black box. This tutorial shows how we can shine light into this black box and understand the reaction mechanism. In particular, it aims at explaining some of the fundamental principles of the action of a catalyst.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 8226-8239
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4CS00210E
Molecular artificial photosynthesis
Artificial photosynthesis involves transforming water and CO2 into O2 and carbohydrates: a challenging task for bioinspired renewable energy conversion schemes.
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 7501-7519
https://doi.org/10.1039/C3CS60405E
About this collection
This fall, students around the world will begin their graduate studies looking for that perfect match for their doctoral studies. Students often find the process of identifying a research topic and an advisor a stressful and uncertain process. Understandably, many students are only versed in the fundamentals of chemistry from their undergraduate coursework, with a limited knowledge of what constitutes the state-of-the-art in chemical research. With this in mind, the Chemical Society Reviews Editorial Board thought it would be timely to provide a collection of Tutorial Reviews on some of the most cutting-edge, exciting research in the chemical sciences. The Board sees this as a resource or ‘primer' for students, to help them learn more about various topics of investigation and to perhaps aid them in their decision making process. To all the new graduate students, the Editorial Board and staff of Chemical Society Reviews would like to extend our congratulations to you on the next stage of your education and we hope this collection might provide some additional help in informing you about what might be the best path for your research interests.