Themed collection 2024 Emerging Investigators
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Contributors to the Emerging Investigators collection 2024: Part 1
This profile article showcases researchers who have contributed an article to the 2024 Emerging Investigators collection.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7391-7396
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC90229G
Evolution in the asymmetric synthesis of biaryl ethers and related atropisomers
This article highlights the catalytic methods leading to the asymmetric synthesis of dual axial chiral biaryl ethers and related scaffolds.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6837-6846
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01655F
Polydopamine-based plasmonic nanocomposites: rational designs and applications
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2982-2993
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC05883B
Advances in solar-driven, electro/photoelectrochemical, and microwave-assisted upcycling of waste polyesters
This Feature Article systematically elaborates on various emerging technologies for the upcycling of polyesters, while also anticipating future development directions.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2828-2838
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC05930H
Design and assembly of porous organic cages
This comprehensive review provides various perspectives on porous organic cages, encompassing their synthesis methods, structural attributes, material properties, computational methodologies, and diverse applications.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2261-2282
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC05091B
Recent progress in beryllium organometallic chemistry
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 1663-1673
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC04844F
Supramolecular light-harvesting systems utilizing tetraphenylethylene chromophores as antennas
This comprehensive Feature Article summarizes the recent progress of supramolecular light-harvesting systems utilizing tetraphenylethylene (TPE) chromophores as antennas.
Chem. Commun., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03693J
Viewing 3D spatial biology with highly-multiplexed Raman imaging: from spectroscopy to biotechnology
Ultra-sensitive Raman imaging is an emerging platform for detecting biomarkers with scalable multiplexity. We review recent advances in highly-multiplexed Raman imaging and how they contribute to the technology revolution in 3D spatial biology.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 8658-8669
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02319F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
New trends in nanoparticle exsolution
This article reviews the most promising trends in nanoparticle exsolution, a versatile fabrication route for highly efficient and robust nanocatalysts.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7987-8007
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01983K
Influence of ion and hydration atmospheres on RNA structure and dynamics: insights from advanced theoretical and computational methods
Investigating the influence of Mg2+ ions and hydration atmospheres on structure and functions of RNA employing explicit solvent and advanced coarse-grained simulation techniques.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 3624-3644
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC06105A
Design and preparation of fluorescent covalent organic frameworks for biological sensing
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2605-2612
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC00167B
Engineering poly(ethylene glycol) particles for targeted drug delivery
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2591-2604
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC06098E
CRISPR/Cas detection with nanodevices: moving deeper into liquid biopsy
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2301-2319
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC05375J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Synthesis and Characterization of Chlorotriarylbismuthonium Salts
Chem. Commun., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03364G
Dual role tertiary amines in photocatalytic cyclizations: towards sustainable syntheses of 1,3-dinitrogen heterocycles
The overlooked holds significant worth: probing the typically neglected tertiary amine sacrificial additive reveals its dual role as an electron donor and methyl source, making it a valuable formaldehyde precursor.
Chem. Commun., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03666B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Cyclic and acyclic acetals as safe, nonaqueous formaldehyde equivalents for the synthesis of pillararenes
Pillar[5]arenes were synthesized using cyclic and acyclic acetals as safer and easier to handle alternatives to paraformaldehyde.
Chem. Commun., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03306J
Boosting photoelectrochemical performance of BiVO4 by borate buffer activation: the role of trace iron impurities
Chem. Commun., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03817G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Effect of Dynamic Bond Concentration on the Mechanical Properties of Vitrimers
Chem. Commun., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03030C
Multi-Resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Polymers for High-Efficiency and Narrowband Solution-Processed Green OLEDs
Chem. Commun., 2024, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03349C
Designing photothermal catalytic systems in multi-component MOFs for enhanced conversion of carbon dioxide
A multi-component MOF incorporating Lewis acidic Zr4+, nucleophilic iodide, and photothermal donor–acceptor pairs has been developed to enhance photothermal catalysis for CO2 cycloaddition.
Chem. Commun., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03203A
(Phosphino)(stannyl)carbene
Stable (phosphino)(stannyl)carbene has been synthesized and characterized. Reactivity and DFT calculations demonstrate its ambiphilicity and potential for unusual stannyl-substituted compounds.
Chem. Commun., 2024, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03275F
Supramolecular chirality capture in solvent monomer-based co-assemblies via in situ photopolymerization
The supramolecular chirality of a co-assembly of pyridine-cholesterol gelator and solvent monomer is captured via in situ photopolymerization. Doping with achiral dyes enables the creation of multi-color CPL polymer films with inverted handedness.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 9054-9057
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC03560G
Generating cysteine-trypsin cleavage sites with 2-chloroacetamidine capping
2-Chloroacetamidine (CAM) capping during proteomic sample preparation enables trypsin-mediated proteolysis at cysteine residues, which improves detection of cysteine-containing peptides.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 8856-8859
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01583E
Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-type cross-coupling of 2-pyridyl carbamoyl fluorides
A directing group strategy enables the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-type cross-coupling of carbamoyl fluorides with boronic acids to yield medicinally relevant pyridyl amides.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 8700-8703
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02431A
A continuous covalent organic framework membrane as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase for lithium metal anodes
Continuous covalent organic framework membranes were obtained via single-phase interfacial polymerization and applied as a protective coating for lithium metal anodes.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 8593-8596
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02480J
A crown ether embedded responsive π-gelator for transition from a one-component gel to a two-component gel
A novel multiple stimuli-responsive fluorescent π-gelator with crown ether as scaffold enables the transition from a one-component gel to a two-component gel and photo-responsiveness behaviors.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 8232-8235
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02867H
Why are nH-perfluoroalkanoate ions more mobile than expected? Implications for identifying an emerging environmental pollutant
Ion mobility experiments reveal that nH-PFCAs have relatively small collision cross sections compared to their perfluorinated analogues. Theory and experiment agree that this is because nH-PFCA ions undergo internal hydrogen bridging.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7894-7897
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02762K
Polymorph driven diversification of photosalient responses in a zinc(II) coordination complex
Diversification of the photosalient effect among polymorphs of a Zn(II) coordination complex is reported.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7890-7893
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01593B
Metal-free electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastic to C2 products
PET plastic has been catalytically upgraded to value-added chemicals with the aid of an organo-electrocatalyst TEMPO along with the coproduction of clean hydrogen and the product selectivity is found to be dependent on the pH of the reaction medium.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7777-7780
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01609B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Electricity-driven, oxidative C–H selenylative and tellurylative annulation of N-(2-alkynyl)anilines: sustainable synthesis of 3-selanyl/tellanylquinolines
A metal- and oxidant-free, electricity-driven C–H selenylative and tellurylative annulation of N-(2-alkynyl)anilines with diorganyl dichalcogenides is developed to access 3-chalcogenylquinolines.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7057-7060
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01780C
Self-degradable photosensitizer exhibiting bacterial agglutination and membrane insertion toward safe photodynamic ablation
Self-oxidative degradation photosensitizers were fabricated by a co-assembly strategy, for effectively eliminating P. aeruginosa and rapidly deactivating their function post-treatment.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 7053-7056
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02264E
Direct photocatalytic C–H functionalization mediated by a molybdenum dioxo complex
Direct photocatalytic C–H activation is achieved with the transition metal oxo complex MoO2Cl2(bpy-tBu). The reoxidation conditions and mechanism, catalytic benchmarking, and stability limiting factors are presented.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6901-6904
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01789G
Exogenous photocatalyst-free aryl radical generation from diaryliodonium salts and use in metal-catalyzed C–H arylation
We reveal that (1) observable halogen bonding between Lewis bases and Ar2I salts is not critical for enabling light-driven radical generation and (2) radicals generated by this route can be captured by transition-metals for C–H arylation reactions.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6929-6932
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01259C
Surface charge modulation boosts electrocatalytic water splitting over iridium catalysts on a polyimide support
The polyimide support can decrease thermodynamic barriers and enrich local H3O+ concentration for the supported Ir catalysts, enhancing OER kinetics.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6821-6824
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01113A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A π-extended β-diketiminate ligand via a templated Scholl approach
We report a novel redox active β-diketiminate ligand embedded within a 24-electron π-system, prepared using a templated Scholl oxidation strategy.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6663-6666
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01627K
Elimination of homogeneous broadening in 1H solid-state NMR
1H 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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6552-6555
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02191F
Insights into dynamic structural evolution and its sodium storage mechanisms of P2/P3 composite cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries
Through a heterostructure modulation strategy, P2/P3-Na0.44Mn0.7Co0.3O2 was successfully synthesized as a high-rate and long-cycle cathode material for sodium-ion batteries.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6496-6499
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC02166E
Selective monoborylation of methane by metal–organic framework confined mononuclear pyridylimine-iridium(I) hydride
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6504-6507
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01568A
A π-extended molecular belt with selective binding capability for fullerene C70
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6387-6390
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01966K
Selective ion migration in a polyelectrolyte driving a high-performance flexible moisture-electric generator
A flexible moisture generator based on selective ion transport can generate a high voltage of 0.88 V from ambient humidity.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6178-6181
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01652A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Synthesis of sterically congested double helicene by alkyne cycloisomerization
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 6035-6038
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01573H
Aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer for antibacterial therapy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 5960-5963
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01022A
Gold-catalyzed benzannulations of 2-alkenylindoles with alkynes: a protecting-group-free regioselective approach to carbazoles
A gold(I)-catalyzed protecting-group-free benzannulation approach to functionalized NH-carbazoles was accomplished via the hydroarylation of alkynes with 2-alkenylindoles.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 5326-5329
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC00176A
Hydrogen bonding-promoted tunable approach for access to aza-bicyclo-[3.3.0]octanes and cyclopenta[b] pyrroles
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 4922-4925
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01065E
Structure-dependent CO2 reduction on molybdenite (MoS2) electrocatalysts
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 4781-4784
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC00496E
New insights into aging in LiNiO2 cathodes from high resolution paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 4707-4710
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC00504J
Simple, catalytic C(sp3)–H azidation using the C–H donor as the limiting reagent
C(sp3)–H bonds can be directly azidated using simple iron and manganese catalysts and commercial Selectfluor and TMSN3 as reagents.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 3705-3708
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC04728H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Robust binding between secondary amines and Au electrodes
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 3393-3396
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC04284G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Enhancing Cu–ligand interaction for efficient CO2 reduction towards multi-carbon products
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.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 3178-3181
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC05972C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Oleic acid differentially affects lipid droplet storage of de novo synthesized lipids in hepatocytes and adipocytes
This work introduces a multiplexed sub-micron vibrational imaging technique to monitor differential effects of oleic acid in adipocytes and hepatocytes.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 3138-3141
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC04829B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
The enhanced ionic thermal potential by a polarized electrospun membrane
Adding a polarized membrane to ionic thermoelectric devices induces dipole–ion interaction and enhances the thermal voltage by more than double.
Chem. Commun., 2024,60, 2196-2199
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CC04199A
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.