Themed collection 2019 Emerging Investigators
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Contributors to the Emerging Investigators Issue 2019
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8674-8682
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC90270H
Target engagement approaches for pharmacological evaluation in animal models
We highlight recent applications of chemical biology approaches to measure target engagement of small molecules in animal models to support the nomination of clinical candidates.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 9241-9250
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02824B
Photoswitchable peptides for spatiotemporal control of biological functions
Bioactive photoswitchable peptides as excellent optochemical tools for cellular processes.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 10192-10213
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03346G
aza-BODIPY synthesis towards vis/NIR functional chromophores based on a Schiff base forming reaction protocol using lactams and heteroaromatic amines
The Schiff base forming reaction of lactams and heteroaromatic amines led to creation of a new class of aza-BODIPY analogues as visible and near infrared functional chromophores.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8722-8743
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03365C
The oxygen evolution reaction enabled by transition metal phosphide and chalcogenide pre-catalysts with dynamic changes
Dynamic morphological, structural and compositional changes will occur when transition metal phosphides and chalcogenides are used to catalyze the oxygen evolution reaction, which can substantially enhance their electrocatalytic performance.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8744-8763
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02845E
Tin-based nanomaterials: colloidal synthesis and battery applications
This Feature Article summarizes the recent advances in the colloidal synthesis of tin-based nanomaterials and their electrochemical properties in alkali-ion batteries.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8683-8694
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02811K
Recent advances in the catalytic asymmetric alkylation of stabilized phosphorous ylides
The Wittig reaction is a reliable method for synthesizing alkenes from phosphorous ylides (P-ylides) and carbonyls, and is thus widely applied in medicine and pharmaceutical production.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8716-8721
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02831E
Redefining the photo-stability of common fluorophores with triplet state quenchers: mechanistic insights and recent updates
Various strategies for TSQ-induced fluorophore stabilization and their application in sm-FRET as well as in super-resolution imaging microscopy are thoroughly reviewed.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8695-8704
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02616A
Novel metal–organic framework materials: blends, liquids, glasses and crystal–glass composites
This Feature Article reviews a range of amorphisation mechanisms of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and presents recent advances to produce novel MOF materials including porous MOF glasses, MOF crystal–glass composites, flux melted MOF glasses and blended zeolitic imidazolate framework glasses.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8705-8715
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC01468C
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Exploiting structure–activity relationships of QS-21 in the design and synthesis of streamlined saponin vaccine adjuvants
This work provides new streamlined saponin vaccine adjuvants and molecular-level insights into saponin conformation that correlate with potent adjuvant activity.
Chem. Commun., 2020,56, 719-722
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC07781B
Anticancer organorhodium and -iridium complexes with low toxicity in vivo but high potency in vitro: DNA damage, reactive oxygen species formation, and haemolytic activity
Dinuclear RhIII(Cp*) and IrIII(Cp*) complexes demonstrated potent in vitro anticancer activity while exhibiting low toxicity in haemolysis studies and in vivo zebrafish models.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 12016-12019
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03822A
Artificial β-propeller protein-based hydrolases
We investigated symmetrical β-propeller protein scaffolds as artificial hydrolases and discovered their catalytic mechanism to be centred around a threonine–histidine dyad.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8880-8883
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC04388H
Self-assembly of stimuli-responsive imine-linked calix[4]arene nanocapsules for targeted camptothecin delivery
Here we report template-free synthesis of imine-linked calix[4]arene hollow nanocapsules and their utility in the effective delivery of a poorly soluble cancer drug into tumor cells.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8876-8879
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02214G
Thickness dependent thermal stability of 2D gallenene
Freestanding 2D metallic gallenene exhibits remarkable stability when the thickness is three atomic layers.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8872-8875
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03238J
Iterative synthetic strategies and gene deletant experiments enable the first identification of polysulfides in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Polysulfides, potential signalling molecules, were synthesised and then found and explored for the first time in yeast.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8868-8871
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03020D
Bifunctional electrocatalysis for CO2 reduction via surface capping-dependent metal–oxide interactions
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide capping on Au renders desirable chemical interactions with SnO2, enabling selective bifunctional CO2 electroreduction.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8864-8867
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02934F
A dual-responsive probe for detecting cellular hypoxia using 19F magnetic resonance and fluorescence
A Cu2+ complex for bimodal imaging of cellular hypoxia using 19F magnetic resonance and fluorescence.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8860-8863
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC00375D
Using ligands to control reactivity, size and phase in the colloidal synthesis of WSe2 nanocrystals
Colloidal synthesis enables size- and phase-tuning of WSe2 nanocrystals.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8856-8859
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03326B
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Superhydrophobic states of 2D nanomaterials controlled by atomic defects can modulate cell adhesion
We report the synthesis of superhydrophobic two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides by modulation of the degree of atomic defects. The presence of atomic vacancies in 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoassemblies dictated hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic transition and subsequent cell adhesion.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8772-8775
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC00547A
Cross-linked porous polyurethane materials featuring dodecaborate clusters as inorganic polyol equivalents
A perhydroxylated dodecaborate cluster acts as an inorganic polyol to produce cross-linked polyurethanes, which confers a porous structure and enhanced thermal stability compared to analogous polymers produced from carbon-based polyols.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8852-8855
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03350E
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Mechanism and regioselectivity of the anionic oxidative rearrangement of 1,3-diketones towards all-carbon quaternary carboxylates
The oxidative rearrangement of 1,3-diketones is an underexplored alternative to enolate chemistry in the synthesis of all-carbon quaternary carboxylates. Mechanistic understanding enabled the discovery of a faster and more effective reaction.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8844-8847
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03331A
Base-catalysed reductive relay hydroboration of allylic alcohols with pinacolborane to form alkylboronic esters
A novel reductive relay hydroboration of allylic alcohols with pinacolborane using nBuLi as an efficient initiator is reported.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8848-8851
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03459E
Protein film electrochemical EPR spectroscopy as a technique to investigate redox reactions in biomolecules
Direct potential control of protein redox centres for both electrochemical and EPR characterisation.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8840-8843
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03212F
Tuning of the flexibility in metal–organic frameworks based on pendant arm macrocycles
An isostructural series of flexible MOFs based on pendant arm macrocycles was developed to tune flexibility depending on functional groups.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8832-8835
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02819F
Resistive switching in an organic supramolecular semiconducting ferroelectric
The combination of switchable dipolar side groups and the semiconducting core leads to a material showing continuous tunability from injection- to bulk-limited conductivity modulation.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8828-8831
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02466B
The polymorphism of porphyrin 2D assemblies at the liquid–graphite interface: the effect of a polar solvent additive and a flexible spacer on the face-on and edge-on type molecular arrangements
The edge-on type 2D self-assembly can be selectively formed by managing hydrogen bonding interactions at the liquid–solid interface.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8836-8839
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02579K
Multi-component heteroarene couplings via polarity-reversed radical cascades
A unified strategy enables multi-component radical addition cascades to couple alkenes, heteroarenes, and various radicals, including N3, P(O)R2, and CF3.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8820-8823
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03498F
Understanding the strain effect of Au@Pd nanocatalysts by in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
A gap-mode configuration was developed for the in situ SERS study of the structure–activity relationship of Au@Pd core–shell nanocatalysts, which show much better performance in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol compared to Pd.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8824-8827
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02639H
Ru(TAP)32+ uses multivalent binding to accelerate and constrain photo-adduct formation on DNA
At high local DNA concentrations, a photoactive Ru(II) complex forms photo-adducts more rapidly and with reduced promiscuity.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8764-8767
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02838B
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Cooperative activation of X–H (X = H, C, O, N) bonds by a Pt(0)/Ag(I) metal-only Lewis pair
Metal-only Lewis pairs made of Pt(0)/Ag(I) combinations have been previously reported, but their cooperative reactivity remains unexplored.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8812-8815
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03008E
A palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis to access N-containing bridged scaffolds
A palladium/norbornene cooperative catalysis promoted annulation involving an ortho-C–H amination and intramolecular Heck cascade between aryl iodides and functionalized amination reagents is reported, thereby providing a highly convergent access to the unique N-containing bridged scaffolds: hexahydro-2,6-methano-1-benzazocine.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8816-8819
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03126J
Facile electrochemical synthesis of ultrathin iron oxyhydroxide nanosheets for the oxygen evolution reaction
Ultrathin iron oxyhydroxide nanosheets were synthesised by multiple potential cyclings on thermally annealed iron foils, acting as an efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalyst.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8808-8811
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02941A
Inter-ligand energy transfer in dye chromophores attached to high bandgap SiO2 nanoparticles
Simple artificial light harvesting networks can be created by the covalent attachment of organic chromophores to silicon dioxide nanoparticles.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8804-8807
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03412A
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Switching the enantioselectivity of nanoporous host materials by light
A chiral photoswitchable nanoporous material with remote-controllable enantioselective adsorption capacity is presented.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8776-8779
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02849H
[2+2] Halogen-bonded boxes employing azobenzenes
Herein, we report the synthesis and crystal structures of three [2+2] supramolecular boxes assembled by halogen bonding.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8768-8771
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC03061A
Supramolecular calix[4]pyrrole polymers from a complementary pair of homoditopic host–guest molecules
Calix[4]pyrrole based thermoresponsive supramolecular polymers were demonstrated by using a complementary pair of homoditopic host and guest molecules.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8800-8803
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02806D
Size dependent selectivity of Cu nano-octahedra catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CH4
Octahedral Cu nanocrystals in the size range of 75–310 nm are synthesized and investigated for electrochemical CO2 reduction.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8796-8799
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02522G
Seleno-analogues of pentlandites (Fe4.5Ni4.5S8−YSeY, Y = 1–6): tuning bulk Fe/Ni sulphoselenides for hydrogen evolution
A series of hitherto unprecedented seleno-pentlandites (Fe4.5Ni4.5S8-YSeY) and their catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction is presented.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8792-8795
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC01842E
Tandem catalysis by ultrathin metal–organic nanosheets formed through post-synthetic functionalisation of a layered framework
Covalent post-synthetic functionalisation of layered metal–organic frameworks is demonstrated as a new approach to forming ultrathin nanosheets for use in catalysis.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8788-8791
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC02061F
BiCl3-Mediated direct functionalization of unsaturated C–C bonds with an electrophilic SCF2PO(OEt)2 reagent
A general access to challenging and unprecedented C(sp)–, C(sp2)– and C(sp3)–SCF2PO(OEt)2 bonds via a BiCl3 mediated transformation.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8784-8787
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC01851D
Tunneling and thermoelectric characteristics of N-heterocyclic carbene-based large-area molecular junctions
Tunneling and thermoelectric characteristics of NHC-based large-area junctions were demonstrated for the first time.
Chem. Commun., 2019,55, 8780-8783
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9CC01585J
About this collection
Now on its 9th year, this annual special issue showcases research carried out by internationally recognised, up-and-coming scientists in the early stages of their independent careers, and who are making outstanding contributions to their respective fields!
Join us in celebrating their contributions!
New articles will be added to this collection as they are published.