Themed collection Celebrating the Chemical Science in India - Leaders in the Field Symposium
From CO2 activation to catalytic reduction: a metal-free approach
This review article documents the key developments in the metal-free catalytic reduction of CO2 into various energy intensive chemicals and fuels, and reductive functionalization of CO2 for the formation of new C–N bonds.
Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 10571-10593
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC03528A
Controlled synthesis of organic two-dimensional nanostructures via reaction-driven, cooperative supramolecular polymerization
We report the kinetically controlled supramolecular polymerization of organic two-dimensional charge-transfer nanostructures via a chemical reaction (imine)-driven approach.
Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 12701-12709
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC02670K
Facile optimization of hierarchical topography and chemistry on magnetically active graphene oxide nanosheets
‘Confined-optimization’ of desired topography and appropriate chemistry on a magnetically-active and two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets is unprecedentedly achieved following a rapid and facile 1,4-conjugate addition reaction.
Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 6556-6566
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC00517G
In situ formation of transcriptional modulators using non-canonical DNA i-motifs
Herein, i-motif DNA-immobilized magnetic nanoparticles are used as templates to promote the in situ cycloaddition generating specific binders for i-motifs.
Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 2058-2067
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC00514B
Transition metal-free catalytic reduction of primary amides using an abnormal NHC based potassium complex: integrating nucleophilicity with Lewis acidic activation
An abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene (aNHC) based potassium complex was used as a transition metal-free catalyst for reduction of primary amides to corresponding primary amines under ambient conditions.
Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 1848-1854
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC05953A
Is silver a mere terminal oxidant in palladium catalyzed C–H bond activation reactions?
We disclose an intriguing and a potentially general role for one of the most commonly used silver salt additives whose molecular understanding continues to remain rather vague in the contemporary practice of palladium catalysis.
Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 208-216
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC04540F
Zinc ion interactions in a two-dimensional covalent organic framework based aqueous zinc ion battery
We have demonstrated a hydroquinone stitched β-ketoenamine COF acting as an efficient organic cathode in an aqueous rechargeable zinc ion battery.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 8889-8894
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC03052B
Fatty acid based transient nanostructures for temporal regulation of artificial peroxidase activity
Natural systems access transient high energy self-assembled structures for temporal regulation of different biological functions through dissipative processes.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 7574-7578
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC02648G
Bonding heterogeneity and lone pair induced anharmonicity resulted in ultralow thermal conductivity and promising thermoelectric properties in n-type AgPbBiSe3
Synergistic effect of bonding inhomogeneity and local off-centering within global cubic structure results in ultralow thermal conductivity of n-type AgPbBiSe3.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 4905-4913
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9SC00485H
Insights into the role of noncovalent interactions in distal functionalization of the aryl C(sp2)–H bond
How a series of noncovalent interactions (NCIs) determine the regiochemical outcome in a distal sp2 C–H functionalization reaction is presented.
Chem. Sci., 2019,10, 3826-3835
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC05335A
Cu2+ selective chelators relieve copper-induced oxidative stress in vivo
We report highly selective, novel Cu2+ chelators that relieve copper induced oxidative stress in vivo indicating applicability toward assuaging copper-overload disorders.
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 7916-7930
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC04041A
Iridium-catalyzed enantioselective direct vinylogous allylic alkylation of coumarins
The first iridium-catalyzed enantioselective vinylogous allylic alkylation of coumarins is presented. Using easily accessible linear allylic carbonates as the allylic electrophile, this reaction installs unfunctionalized allyl groups at the γ-position of 4-methylcoumarins in an exclusively branched-selective manner generally in high yields with an excellent level of enantioselectivity (up to 99 : 1 er).
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 5767-5772
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC02041H
Protein stabilization by tuning the steric restraint at the reverse turn
The incorporation of pseudoallylic strain by N-methylation at the solvent exposed loop in proteins leads to a stark increase in their thermodynamic stability that can be tuned by altering the amino acid composition.
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 4600-4609
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC05163H
Taming a monomeric [Cu(η6-C6H6)]+ complex with silylene
Realization of a hitherto elusive unsupported η6 binding mode of benzene to a copper(I) cation employing silylene as a ligand. The back-donation from Cu to Si(II) diminishes the repulsion between d-electrons and the benzene ring and enforces the η6 binding mode.
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 4333-4337
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC00459E
Aldehyde group driven aggregation-induced enhanced emission in naphthalimides and its application for ultradetection of hydrazine on multiple platforms
A new concept of formyl group induced ACQ to AIEE transformation is established in naphthalimide congeners. Also, ultradetection of hydrazine via Schiff base complexation over multiple platforms is presented.
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 3978-3985
https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC00643A
Increasing the bioactive space of peptide macrocycles by thioamide substitution
Thioamide substitution into macrocyclic peptides increases the conformational rigidity of the backbone resulting in enhanced biological activity and metabolic stability.
Chem. Sci., 2018,9, 2443-2451
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC04671E
Preferential targeting of i-motifs and G-quadruplexes by small molecules
Ligand-dependent regulation of gene expression has been delineated by targeting i-motifs and G-quadruplexes.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 7448-7456
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC02693E
Nitro-enabled catalytic enantioselective formal umpolung alkenylation of β-ketoesters
A formal umpolung strategy is presented for the enantioselective installation of an alkenyl group with a terminal double bond at a tertiary center. This one-pot two-step sequence relies on the unique features of the nitro group, which after inverting the polarity of the alkenylating agent toward the desired bond formation, itself serves as a leaving group.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 6686-6690
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC02232H
Temporal switching of an amphiphilic self-assembly by a chemical fuel-driven conformational response
A unique redox active amphiphilic foldamer that undergoes transient conformation changes that amplify into observable morphology changes in its self-assembly.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 6030-6036
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC01730H
A general and facile chemical avenue for the controlled and extreme regulation of water wettability in air and oil wettability under water
A chemical approach for the regulation of oil (under water) and water (in air) wettability. The super-wetting properties are highly durable at harsh physical/chemical settings.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 6542-6554
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC02296D
Near UV-Visible electronic absorption originating from charged amino acids in a monomeric protein
We report 250–800 nm UV-Vis monomeric protein absorption originating from protein backbone–sidechain and sidechain–sidechain charge transfer transitions involving Lys/Glu residues.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 5416-5433
https://doi.org/10.1039/C7SC00880E
DNA-barcoded labeling probes for highly multiplexed Exchange-PAINT imaging
We report the development of multiplexed cellular super-resolution imaging using DNA-barcoded binders.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 3080-3091
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC05420J
Enhanced intersystem crossing in core-twisted aromatics
Core-twisted aromatics exhibit enhanced intersystem crossing upon photoexcitation when compared to their planar analogs.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 1776-1782
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC05126J
Conductance in a bis-terpyridine based single molecular breadboard circuit
We study conductance in a molecular breadboard junction accommodating up to 61 circuits and demonstrate switching between 4 conductance states.
Chem. Sci., 2017,8, 1576-1591
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC03204D
Rhodium catalyzed diastereoselective synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetrasubstituted indolines from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles and ortho-vinylanilines
An efficient diastereoselective rhodium catalyzed synthesis of indolines possessing two contiguous tetrasubstituted carbon centers has been achieved with good to excellent yields using ortho-vinylanilines and iminocarbenes derived from N-sulfonyl-1,2,3-triazoles.
Chem. Sci., 2016,7, 5934-5938
https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC01075J
Chemical sensing in two dimensional porous covalent organic nanosheets
Covalent organic nanosheets (CONs) were synthesised from imide functionalised COFs. TfpBDH-CONs exhibit a "turn-on" detection capability for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol in the solid state, but show a "turn-off" detection in the dispersion state.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 3931-3939
https://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC00512D
Stepwise isolation of low-valent, low-coordinate Sn and Pb mono- and dications in the coordination sphere of platinum
Halide groups are sequentially removed from platinum complexes containing tin and lead dihalide ligands, creating novel mono- and dicationic complexes.
Chem. Sci., 2015,6, 425-435
https://doi.org/10.1039/C4SC02948H
About this collection
In October 2019, Chemical Science supported IISER Kolkata, India in hosting a Leaders in the Field Symposium, which showcased innovative chemistry research from both established and early career researchers in India. This specially curated collection includes recent Chemical Science articles authored by the presenters and organisers of the Leaders in the Field Symposium and as with all Chemical Science articles – they are all completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.