Themed collection 2024 Emerging Investigators

This article highlights the catalytic methods leading to the asymmetric synthesis of dual axial chiral biaryl ethers and related scaffolds.

This Highlight review features five classical types of PDA-based plasmonic nanocomposites, and systematically elucidates their fabrication strategies, design principles, plasmonic properties, and representative applications.

This Feature Article systematically elaborates on various emerging technologies for the upcycling of polyesters, while also anticipating future development directions.

This comprehensive review provides various perspectives on porous organic cages, encompassing their synthesis methods, structural attributes, material properties, computational methodologies, and diverse applications.

Beryllium chemistry is on the rise. Examples of the beryllium compounds with formal oxidation state of 0, +1, cationic and neutral radical species, aromatic and antiaromatic heterocycles and a formal Be–Be bonded complex are the proof to it.

Investigating the influence of Mg²⁺ ions and hydration atmospheres on structure and functions of RNA employing explicit solvent and advanced coarse-grained simulation techniques.

Covalent organic frameworks with adjustable topology and high-density conjugated fragments reveal unique advantages in fluorescence imaging, and thus may have great potential applications in bioimaging.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) particles can be prepared using templating and self-assembly methods and endowed with stealth and targeting properties for targeted drug delivery.

This feature article summarises the latest advances, potential challenges, and future prospects of CRISPR/Cas gene-editing technologies in conjunction with emerging nanodevices for the refinement of precision liquid biopsy techniques.

The polyimide support can decrease thermodynamic barriers and enrich local H₃O⁺ concentration for the supported Ir catalysts, enhancing OER kinetics.

We report a novel redox active β-diketiminate ligand embedded within a 24-electron π-system, prepared using a templated Scholl oxidation strategy.

A flexible moisture generator based on selective ion transport can generate a high voltage of 0.88 V from ambient humidity.

¹ H homogeneous NMR linewidths can be measured using a Hahn echo experiment and used to enhance the resolution of the spectra via deconvolution. Resolution is approximately doubled, equating to an effective twofold increase in spinning frequency.

Alkyne cycloisomerization of 2,7,10,15-tetra(ortho-alkynylphenyl)benzo[g,p]chrysene containing bulky 4-alkoxy-2,6-dimethylphenyl groups at the alkyne terminals selectively proceeded at the sterically crowded bay-region.

Through a heterostructure modulation strategy, P2/P3-Na_0.44Mn_0.7Co_0.3O₂ was successfully synthesized as a high-rate and long-cycle cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.

The metal–organic framework confined mononuclear pyridylimine-ligated iridium(I)-hydride is an active catalyst for chemoselective monoborylation of methane using bis(pinacolato)diboron to afford methyl boronic acid pinacol ester in 98% yield.

A molecular belt [8]NCP incorporating naphthalene moieties was precisely engineered through bottom–up synthesis. It exhibits remarkable selective binding ability for C₇₀ compared to C₆₀, forming a 1 : 1 complex.

A cationic AIE-PS, MNNPyBB damages membrane/wall of methicillin-resistant bacteria. Wound closure was achieved with normal re-epithelialization and preserved skin morphology. This study facilitates the structural regulation, performance modulation of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

A gold(I)-catalyzed protecting-group-free benzannulation approach to functionalized NH-carbazoles was accomplished via the hydroarylation of alkynes with 2-alkenylindoles.

A unified strategy is disclosed that builds on successfully engaging the aniline nitrogen of 1,3-amphoteric γ-aminocyclopentenone for a tandem annulation with electron-poor alkynes, solely assisted by the H-bonding network of HFIP.

Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) is employed to directly identify the structure-dependent electrochemical CO₂ reduction activity of molybdenite (MoS₂) electrocatalysts in an aqueous imidazolium-based aprotic ionic liquid electrolyte.

Heterogeneity develops in LiNiO₂ upon long-term cycling. The structure and composition of partially electrochemically active (fatigued) phases formed in the bulk are determined by combining synchrotron XRD and high resolution ⁷Li solid-state NMR.

C(sp³)–H bonds can be directly azidated using simple iron and manganese catalysts and commercial Selectfluor and TMSN₃ as reagents.

A robust binding between secondary amines and Au atomic contacts is achieved through the creation of Au adatoms by the use of a wax-coated tip.

Here, we report Cu-DAT (3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole) for efficient CO₂ reduction. By optimizing the Cu/ligand cooperation, accelerated *CO adsorption and C–C coupling were achieved, demonstrating >80% C₂₊ products selectivity at 400 mA cm⁻².

This work introduces a multiplexed sub-micron vibrational imaging technique to monitor differential effects of oleic acid in adipocytes and hepatocytes.

Adding a polarized membrane to ionic thermoelectric devices induces dipole–ion interaction and enhances the thermal voltage by more than double.