Themed collection 2021 Emerging Investigators
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Contributors to the Emerging Investigators Collection 2021
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3388-3414
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC90071H
Engineering bacterial surface interactions using DNA as a programmable material
The research of using DNA as a programmable material for engineering bacterial interactions is just emerging. DNA nanotechnology offers perhaps the most deliberate approach to develop bacteria-based live materials with unprecedented functions.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3086-3100
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06138K
An upper bound visualization of design trade-offs in adsorbent materials for gas separations: alkene/alkane adsorbents
An online database and bound visualizations for researchers to understand design trade-offs and identify candidate materials for gas adsorption separations.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 6950-6959
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02350K
Nanoparticle-based non-viral CRISPR delivery for enhanced immunotherapy
This review highlights recent development of non-viral carrier based CRISPR system delivery to achieve gene editing in various immune cells for enhanced immunotherapy.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1860-1870
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05999H
Bio-inspired structural colors and their applications
Structural colors, generated by the interaction of interference, diffraction, and scattering between incident light and periodic nanostructured surfaces with features of the same scale with incident visible light wavelengths, have recently attracted intense interest.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13448-13464
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04386B
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Oxide nanowire microfluidics addressing previously-unattainable analytical methods for biomolecules towards liquid biopsy
Nanowire microfluidics using a combination of self-assembly and nanofabrication technologies is expected to provide bioanalytical methods for liquid biopsy, which are impossible to achieve with conventional technologies.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13234-13245
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05096F
Recent advances in the synthesis of N-heteroarenes via catalytic dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles
Recent advances in the transition metal-catalyzed dehydrogenation of N-heteroaromatics are discussed.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13042-13058
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04919D
Chiral nanotubes self-assembled from discrete non-covalent macrocycles
Transference of chiral information from monomers to supramolecular nanotubes through the self-assembly of discrete non-covalent macrocycles.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12712-12724
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04968B
Asymmetric hydrogenation of O-/N-functional group substituted arenes
This feature article focuses on the progress in catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation of O/N substituted arenes.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12741-12753
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04722A
Nanoscale covalent organic frameworks: from controlled synthesis to cancer therapy
The controlled synthesis methods and the applications of nanoscale covalent organic frameworks in cancer therapy are summarized in this feature article.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12417-12435
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04846E
Thermal management materials for energy-efficient and sustainable future buildings
State-of-the-art materials design, structural engineering and computational modeling, and new opportunities to develop sustainable and energy-efficient thermal management materials for future smart buildings.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12236-12253
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05486D
Trends in non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) development
The transition towards safer and more sustainable production of polymers has led to a growing body of academic research into non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) as potential replacements for conventional, isocyanate-based polyurethane materials.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12254-12265
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05009E
Amidinium⋯carboxylate frameworks: predictable, robust, water-stable hydrogen bonded materials
This feature article describes the development of hydrogen bonded frameworks assembled using amidinium∙∙∙carboxylate hydrogen bonds, and discusses their structures, stabilities and applications.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 10998-11008
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04782E
Molecular structures and magnetic properties of endohedral metallofullerenes
Endohedral metallofullerenes are fascinating materials. Recent progress on molecular structures and magnetic properties of metallofullerenes is summarized in this feature article.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 10317-10326
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04218A
Prodrug strategy for enhanced therapy of central nervous system disease
Prodrug strategies to overcome BBB.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 8842-8855
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02940A
Recent advances in palladium-catalyzed (hetero)annulation of C
C bonds with ambiphilic organo(pseudo)halides
Palladium has proven to be effective in catalyzing the (hetero)annulation of CC bonds with ambiphilic organo(pseudo)halides, as summarized in this Feature Article.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 7610-7624
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02836G
Wearable triboelectric nanogenerators for heart rate monitoring
Triboelectric nanogenerator emerges as a cost-effective biotechnology that could convert the subtle skin deformation caused by arterial pressure fluctuation into high voltage output, creating electrical signals with an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio for high-fidelity continuous pulse waveform monitoring.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 5871-5879
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC02091A
Experimental determination of charge carrier dynamics in carbon nitride heterojunctions
We review the current understanding of charge carrier dynamics in carbon nitride heterojunctions and highlight open questions in the field.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 1550-1567
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC06841A
Computational modeling of dynein motor proteins at work
Computational modeling of the mechanochemical cycle of dynein motor proteins.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 272-283
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0CC05857B
An end-on bis(μ-hydroxido) dimanganese(II,III) azide complex for C–H bond and O–H bond activation reactions
The C–H bond and O–H bond activation reaction by the bis(μ-hydroxido) dimanganese complex occurred via H-atom abstraction in a concerted manner.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 4623-4626
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC01129H
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On the origin of chaotrope-modulated electrocatalytic activity of cytochrome c at electrified aqueous|organic interfaces
Aqueous chaotropes accelerate the electrocatalytic activity of adsorbed cytochrome c towards reactive oxygen species (ROS) production at electrified aqueous|organic interfaces.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 3270-3273
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05293D
N-Oxides amplify catalyst reactivity and isoselectivity in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-β-butyrolactone
Experiments and computations establish that donor electronics control activity, while donor sterics control catalyst deactivation.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 2854-2857
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05127J
Iterative step-growth synthesis and degradation of unimolecular polyviologens under mild conditions
An iterative step-growth synthesis up to 26 viologen subunits is established for unimolecular polyviologens on a gram scale. Facile degradation of the polyviologens under mildly basic conditions was demonstrated in solution and in hydrogel networks.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1358-1361
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06912H
Fully soft organic electrochemical transistor enabling direct skin-mountable electrophysiological signal amplification
Fully soft organic electrochemical transistors and a skin-mountable electrophysiological signal amplifier were developed by all soft components based on, particularly stretchable PEDOT:PSS enabled by crosslinking between PEG and DVS.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1298-1301
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04884H
Ultrasound-triggered hydrogel formation through thiol–norbornene reactions
An ultrasound-initiated thiol–norbornene reaction has been applied to fabricate hydrogels, and the ultrasound conditions in determining the properties of hydrogels have been systematically investigated.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 1119-1122
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04848A
Colorimetric detection of acidic pesticides in water
A water stable, porphyrin-based metal–organic framework as a colorimetric sensor for the detection of acidic pesticides.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 953-956
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06213A
Potential-dependent C–C coupling mechanism and activity of C2 formation in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 on defective Cu(100) surfaces
The mechanism of C2 formation is potential-dependent in the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 on several defective Cu(100) surfaces, and a nonmonotonic trend is observed between the effective free energy barriers and the average coordination numbers.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 709-712
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC06735D
Ferrocene metallopolymers of intrinsic microporosity (MPIMs)
Ferrocene-containing polymers can simultaneously possess porosity, solubility, and intrachain electronic communication.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 238-241
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05022B
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Layer-by-layer assembly of multi-layered droplet interface bilayers (multi-DIBs)
We report a new easily customisable droplet-based method to produce droplet interface bilayers with multiple layers.
Chem. Commun., 2022,58, 60-63
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05155E
The effect of the particle size on Fischer–Tropsch synthesis for ZSM-5 zeolite supported cobalt-based catalysts
The highly selective synthesis of various middle distillate fuels including gasoline, jet fuel and diesel range hydrocarbons is achieved for hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite supported cobalt catalysts with different cobalt particle sizes for syngas conversion.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 13522-13525
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04844A
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Rational engineering of Luminiphilus syltensis (R)-selective amine transaminase for the acceptance of bulky substrates
The rationally designed variant V37A of L. syltensis (R)-selective transaminase exhibits improved activity towards bulkier substrates compared to the wild-type.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12948-12951
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04664K
Selective quantification of nanoplastics in environmental matrices by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation with total organic carbon detection
This research presents the first proof of principle of a hyphenated AF4-TOC method to selectively quantify nanoplastics in environmental matrices.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12940-12943
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04852J
Heterometallic Al6Zn12 nano-plate with π-conjugated ligand: synthesis and nonlinear absorption properties
Presented herein is the synthesis of a heterometallic hybrid compound used as a candidate for third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12820-12823
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05919J
Polyethyleneimine-complexed charge-reversed yeast cell walls for the enhanced oral delivery of pseudovirus-based antigens
A facile approach for preparing oral delivery systems is reported via encapsulating antigen-carrying pseudoviruses inside positively charged polyethyleneimine-modified yeast capsules, providing a versatile platform for developing oral vaccines.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12768-12771
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04901A
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Electrochemical oxidative Z-selective C(sp2)–H chlorination of acrylamides
A catalyst and organic oxidant free electrochemical method for the oxidative Z-selective C(sp2)–H chlorination of acrylamides has been developed.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12643-12646
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05824J
Surface presentation of the noncanonical Wnt5a motif to cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells promotes their mechanotransduction and activation
Decoration of the Wnt5a mimetic peptide Foxy5 on a PDMS elastomer substrate promotes the mechanotransduction and activation of cytotoxic T cells.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12667-12670
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05194F
Visible-light-induced photoacid catalysis: application in glycosylation with O-glycosyl trichloroacetimidates
The development of visible-light-induced photoacid catalyzed glycosylation is reported.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12659-12662
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04887B
Fe-Catalyzed dicarbofunctionalization of electron-rich alkenes with Grignard reagents and (fluoro)alkyl halides
A three-component iron-bisphosphine-catalyzed regioselective dicarbofunctionalization of electron-rich alkenes is described.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12508-12511
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04619E
Accelerated reduction and solubilization of elemental sulfur by 1,2-aminothiols
Poorly soluble S8 can be readily converted to soluble polysulfides by 1,2-aminothiol compounds for further sulfur transfer reactivity.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12488-12491
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05242J
Interfacial engineering of a Mo/Hf0.3Zr0.7O2/Si capacitor using the direct scavenging effect of a thin Ti layer
The endurance of a Mo/Hf0.3Zr0.7O2/Si capacitor was improved up to 109 cycles by using a Ti layer formed prior to the atomic layer deposition of a Hf0.3Zr0.7O2 film to avoid direct exposure of Si to ozone with resulting trap density decrease.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12452-12455
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04966F
Open-shell extensions to closed-shell pCCD
The proposed inexpensive open-shell extensions of the closed-shell pCCD model facilitate an accurate description of open-shell molecules.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12277-12280
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04539C
Selective synthesis of enol ethers via nickel-catalyzed cross coupling of α-oxy-vinylsulfones with alkylzinc reagents
We describe here a Ni-catalyzed Negishi coupling reaction to prepare 1,2-dialkyl enol ethers in a stereoconvergent fashion.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12273-12276
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05347G
Redox-induced reversible P–P coupling in a uranium complex
A reversible interconversion of the P–P bond was observed in redox-induced reactions between two uranium(IV) complexes.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12175-12178
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04765E
Deoxyribonucleic acid polymer nanoparticle hydrogels
Polymer nanoparticle hydrogels made of deoxyribonucleic acid and silica have been prepared and shown to display shear thinning and self-healing properties, sustained release of cargo and enzymatic degradation.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12111-12114
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05668A
High performance near-infrared phototransistors via enhanced electron trapping effect
A high performance near-infrared organic phototransistor with photoresponsivity of 2000 A W−1 and detectivity of 1016 Jones is achieved via introducing a small molecule acceptor as an electron trapping site.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12123-12126
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04828G
Specific osteogenesis imperfecta-related Gly substitutions in type I collagen induce distinct structural, mechanical, and dynamic characteristics
Gly mutations in the 1022nd site led to increased stable short β-structures with new H-bonds, thereby stiffness, whereas mutations in the 1025th site disrupted and decreased existing H-bonds, leading to more intensive fluctuations.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12183-12186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05277B
PN-Doped tetraphenylnaphthalene: a straightforward synthetic strategy analogous to BN-annulation
Installation of a PN bond in π-systems.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 12147-12150
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04785J
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Optical encoding of luminescent carbon nanodots in confined spaces
The generation of luminescent carbon nanodots in AFI-type zeolite crystals via light-induced activation upon near infrared laser irradiation is described.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11952-11955
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04777A
Microwave-assisted synthesis of NaMnF3 particles with tuneable morphologies
Here, the synthesis of sub-micron MMnF3 (M = Na or K) particles by a rapid microwave-assisted approach is reported.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11799-11802
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04714K
Self-assembled organic homostructures with tunable optical waveguides fabricated via “cocrystal engineering”
We modulated the optical properties of cocrystals without changing the unit cell parameters and crystal morphology by simply changing the relative position of the cyan group on the electron acceptor molecule.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11803-11806
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04675F
Enhanced syngas production from CO2 photoreduction over CoPd alloy modified NiAl-LDH under visible light
A bimetallic CoPd alloy modified NiAl-LDH achieved enhanced syngas production by adjusting the Schottky barrier height to facilitate the separation and transfer of charge carriers and optimize the active sites for CO2 and H2O activation.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11629-11632
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04863E
A combined DFTB nanoreactor and reaction network generator approach for the mechanism of hydrocarbon combustion
We explored the mechanism of ethylene combustion by combining a density functional tight-binding based nanoreactor molecular dynamic method (DFTB-NMD) and a hidden Markov model (HMM) based reaction network generator approach.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11633-11636
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04736A
Crystal facet modulation of Bi2WO6 microplates for spatial charge separation and inhibiting reverse reaction
We experimentally demonstrated that spatial charge separation can take place between the {010} and {001} facets of Bi2WO6 microplates.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11637-11640
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04942A
A recyclable self-supported nanoporous PdCu heterogeneous catalyst for aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling
A recyclable self-supported nanoporous PdCu alloy heterogeneous catalyst was developed for aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling. This catalyst could be easily separated from the product via centrifugation and reused several times.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11641-11644
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04281E
Electrochemical fluorosulfonylation of styrenes
An electrochemical preparation of β-fluorosulfones via assembly of the readily available styrenes, sulfonylhydrazides, and triethylamine trihydrofluoride, has been developed.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11481-11484
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04813A
An origami paper-based analytical device for DNA damage analysis
A fully integrated origami paper-based analytical device (oPAD) was developed for measuring DNA damage.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11465-11468
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC05019B
Low temperature induced highly stable Zn metal anodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
A highly durable Zn metal anode was achieved by simply controlling the operating temperature at 0 °C, enabling a Zn symmetric cell with an ultra-long cycle life over 2500 h (>100 days).
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11477-11480
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04731K
Investigation of the sublimation mechanism of GeSe and GeS
We demonstrate the diatomic molecule sublimation mechanism of GeSe and GeS through a detailed theoretical and experimental investigation.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11461-11464
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03895H
A selenophene-containing conjugated organic ligand for two-dimensional halide perovskites
A selenophene-containing conjugated organic ligand was synthesized and incorporated into a Sn(II)-based two-dimensional perovskite. FET and LED devices based on these 2D perovskite thin films exhibit high performance and enhanced operational stability.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11469-11472
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04679A
A metal–polyphenolic nanosystem with NIR-II fluorescence-guided combined photothermal therapy and radiotherapy
A polyphenolic semiconducting polymer was prepared to chelate the high-Z Hf ions, followed by coating of the amphiphilic polymers to form a nanostructure (CPPDA–Hf@Poloxamer nanoparticles) for precise lesion imaging and photothermal therapy.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11473-11476
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04628D
Accessing three oxidation states of cobalt in M6L3 nanoprisms with cobalt–porphyrin walls
Pt2+-linked M6L3 nanoprisms with cobalt–porphyrin walls were prepared and their redox properties were evaluated, leading to the first time that cobalt–porphyrin nanocages have been characterized in CoI, CoII, and CoIII states.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11342-11345
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04860K
DFT study on Ir-quinoid catalyzed C–H functionalization: new radical reactivity or direct carbene transfer?
We use DFT methods to explore the mechanism of a direct C(sp3)–H functionalization via metal quinoid carbenes.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11370-11373
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04764G
Solvent-regulated chiral exciton coupling and CPL sign inversion of an amphiphilic glutamide-cyanostilbene
The chiral exciton couplings within a Y-shaped amphiphilic glutamide-cyanostilbene could be significantly biased by solvent polarity and hydration effect, which led to sign inversion of both CD and CPL of its assemblies.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11314-11317
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04471K
Rim-differentiated Co-pillar[4+1]arenes
Rim-differentiated Co-pillar[4+1]arenes with clickable moieties and extra synthetic handles are versatile platforms for self-assembled molecular architectures and biological applications.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11193-11196
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04840F
Photochemistry and in vitro anticancer activity of Pt(IV)Re(I) conjugates
The photoactivation of two Pt(IV)Re(I) conjugates was investigated and leveraged for eradicating ovarian cancer cells.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11189-11192
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04669A
5-Aryloxy substitution enables efficient mechanically triggered release from a synthetically accessible masked 2-furylcarbinol mechanophore
Aryloxy substitution establishes an accessible mechanophore platform for mechanically triggered molecular cargo release.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11173-11176
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04886D
Unveiling the enhanced electrocatalytic activity at electrochemically synthesized Pt–WOx hybrid nanostructure interfaces
Electrochemically-synthesized Pt–WOx hybrid nanostructures showed excellent catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction performance. The creation of Pt–WOx interfacial sites on the synthesized nanostructures contributed to improved catalytic performance.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11165-11168
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04535K
Stereodivergent silver-catalyzed synthesis of pyroglutamic acid esters
A silver-catalyzed method for the enantio- and diastereodivergent synthesis of chiral pyroglutamic acid esters containing multiple stereocenters has been developed through stereospecific 1,4-addition followed by lactamization.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 11052-11055
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04875A
Scalable synthesis of [8]cycloparaphenyleneacetylene carbon nanohoop using alkyne metathesis
Cycloparaphenyleneacetylene carbon nanohoops can now be prepared in a scalable manner using alkyne metathesis followed by alkene-selective bromination and dehydrobromination.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 10887-10890
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC04776K
Bacteria repellent protein hydrogel decorated with tunable, isotropic, nano-on-micro hierarchical microbump array
Antifouling hierarchical microbumps on BSA hydrogels are fabricated by inducing homogeneous nanogels inside the microbumps. The resulted hierarchical surface shows bacterial repellency 100 times stronger than a flat or reverse-microbump surface.
Chem. Commun., 2021,57, 10883-10886
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC03741B
About this collection
This annual special collection 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.