Themed collection 15th anniversary: Chemical Science community collection


The impact of whole-molecule disorder on spin-crossover in a family of isomorphous molecular crystals
Seven [Fe(LR)2]2+ (LR = 2-{pyrazolyl}-6-{4-R-pyrazolyl}pyridine) salts are isomorphous, with substituents disordered around the complex, but show a variety of thermal spin-transition behaviors.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00090D

Vacuum evaporation-assisted reaction: sustainable solution for application of rare earth-based halide solid-state electrolytes
Chem. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00003C

Photoinduced copper-catalysed enantioselective amination of allylic and propargylic C–H bonds
A visible light-activated HAT process combined with copper catalysis enables enantioselective allylic and propargylic C–H amination, converting open-chain alkenes and alkynes into chiral amines with high enantio-, regio-, and E/Z-selectivity.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00872G

Stable cationic nanobelts synthesized by chemical oxidation of methylene-bridged [6]cycloparaphenylene
Cationic hydrocarbon nanobelts were synthesized via the chemical oxidation of methylene-bridged [6]cycloparaphenylene ([6]MCPP). These species turned out to be remarkably stable in air, which enabled to uncover their unique properties.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01305D

Direct single-nucleotide resolution sequencing of DNA 5-methylcytosine using engineered DNA methyltransferase-mediated CMD-seq
Utilizing the newly identified M.MedI-N377K methyltransferase, we developed a novel method of CMD-seq for the stoichiometric detection of 5mC in DNA at single-nucleotide resolution.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01211B

Accelerated click reactions using boronic acids for heterocyclic synthesis in microdroplets
Accelerated synthesis of heterocycles such as iminoboronates, boroxines, thiazolidines, and diazaborines using the reaction between boronic acid and amines in microdroplets.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00851D

Genetically encoded 3-aminotyrosine as catalytic residue in a designer Friedel–Crafts alkylase
An evolved designer enzyme featuring genetically encoded 3-aminotyrosine (aY) as catalytic residue promotes highly enantioselective Friedel–Crafts alkylations, is enantiocomplementary to a prior design, and enables whole-cell biocatalysis.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01055A

Engineering cofacial porphyrin dimers using lacunary polyoxotungstates
Chem. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00814J

Spin filtering in self-assembled bowl-shaped aromatics
Magnetic-conductive AFM reveals that self-assembled bowl-shaped aromatics function as molecular spin filters.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01660F

Multifunctional cerium-based nanozymes as moonlighting protein mimics for atherosclerosis diagnosis and therapy
Fabrication of multifunctional cerium-based nanozymes as moonlighting protein mimics for atherosclerosis diagnosis and therapy.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01014D

Deaminase-driven random mutation enables efficient DNA mutagenesis for protein evolution
By harnessing the properties of two engineered deaminases, A3A-RL and ABE8e, we developed a novel DNA mutagenesis approach called DRM. DRM allows for the creation of diverse DNA mutation types in a single round of mutagenesis.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00861A

Intramolecular arylsulfide-coordinated diboraanthracenes: effect of B–S coordination on ground-state and excited-state behavior
Boron-embedded π-conjugated molecules with intramolecular sulfur coordination exhibit B–S bond dissociation not only thermally in the ground state but also upon light irradiation, resulting in intriguing photoluminescence properties.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01726B

Functionalization and solubilization of polycyclic aromatic compounds by sulfoniumization
A regioselective sulfoniumization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is described. The obtained sulfonium-salts, soluble in organic and water media, are employed in post-functionalizations, π-extension, and mitochondria-selective bio-imaging.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01415H

Accurate prediction of the kinetic sequence of physicochemical states using generative artificial intelligence
GPT-based generative modeling of MD trajectories enables efficient prediction of state transitions by capturing long-range correlations, offering accurate kinetic and thermodynamic forecasts for diverse physicochemical systems.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00108K

Ni Doping in CsPbCl3 Nanocrystals: The Key to Enhanced Photoluminescence
Chem. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00564G

Unraveling the mechanisms of ketene generation and transformation in syngas-to-olefin conversion over ZnCrOx|SAPO-34 catalysts
Methanol serves as the primary transport intermediate between metal oxides and zeolites, while ketene acts as the dominant intermediate for ethene formation in the OX–ZEO system.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01651G

Location of dopant dictates proton–coupled electron transfer mechanism in vanadium-substituted polyoxotungstates
An externally exposed V dopant imposes H-atom uptake at the polyoxotungstate surface and dictates the proton–coupled electron transfer mechanism.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 6736-6743
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08452G

Electrochemical Hydrogenative Coupling of Nitrobenzene into Azobenzene over Mesoporous Palladium-Sulfur Cathode
Chem. Sci., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08608B

Mechanically tunable porous gels constructed via the dual coordination/covalent polymerization of coumarin-functionalized rhodium–organic cuboctahedra
Rhodium–organic cuboctahedra were polymerized into colloidal gels bearing coordination and covalent crosslinks with orthogonal stimuli responses, providing porous materials with reversibly tunable mechanical properties.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00535C

Exploring a solid-state nanopore approach for single-molecule protein detection from single cells
This study presents a solid-state nanopore approach for single-molecule protein detection from single cells, utilizing a nanopore electrophoretic driver protein to enhance target protein capture efficiency and analyze protein conformational changes.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01764E

Controlled polymerization of levoglucosenone-derived enynes to give bio-based polymers with tunable degradation rates and high glass transition temperatures
In recent years, pollution from plastic waste has intensified the demand for sustainable polymers.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00630A

Catalytic asymmetric construction of 1,5-remote Si- and C-stereocenters via desymmetrizing ene reaction of bis(methallyl)silanes
A chiral nickel(II) complex catalyzed desymmetrizing carbonyl–ene reaction of bis(methallyl)silanes with α-keto aldehyde monohydrates was realized, enabling the synthesis of chiral δ-hydroxy silanes featuring 1,5-remote Si- and C-stereocenters.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01054C

Machine-learning based classification of 2D-IR liquid biopsies enables stratification of melanoma relapse risk
Ultrafast 2D-IR spectroscopy of clinical blood serum samples combined with Machine Learning shows the ability to detect risk of melanoma relapse.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01526J

Retro-forward synthesis design and experimental validation of potent structural analogs of known drugs
Generation of structural analogs to “parent” molecule(s) of interest remains one of the important elements of drug development.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00070J

Base-stabilized acyclic amino(ylidyl)silylenes: electron-rich donors for the stabilization of silicon-element multiple bonds
The incorporation of ylide substituents into acyclic aminosilylenes leads to enhanced donor abilities, enabling the isolation of a remarkably stable silanone and compounds with extended π-conjugated units.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01812A

Double helicene possessing B–N dative bonds built on 1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole core
Green-emitting N,B,S-doped double helicene which was prepared via straightforward four-steps route possesses |glum| = 1.32 × 10−3.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00540J

Catalytic stereoselective synthesis of all-carbon tetra-substituted alkenes via Z-selective alkyne difunctionalization
We report a nickel-catalyzed cascade reaction leading to the arylation of an alkyne-induced acyl migration and the formation of all-carbon tetra-substituted alkenes in good yields with exclusive Z-selectivity.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 6273-6281
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00297D

Bifunctional additive-driven shape transitions of block copolymer particles through synergistic quaternization and protonation
Bifunctional additives synergistically drive quaternization and protonation, tuning block copolymer emulsion interfaces to increase hydrophilicity and electrostatic repulsion, enabling one-pot synthesis of disc and Janus cup particles.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 6265-6272
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00259A

Rational design of gold nanoparticle-based chemosensors for detection of the tumor marker 3-methoxytyramine
Computational screening of a 100-tripeptide nanoparticle library ranked the nanoparticles according to their affinity for the neuroblastoma biomarker 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT). Synthesis and testing confirmed their ability to detect 3-MT at 25 μM.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 6282-6289
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08758E

Aqueous up-conversion organic phosphorescence and tunable dual emission in a single-molecular emitter
A single-molecular emitter Yn was developed, exhibiting aqueous tunable up-conversion RTP/fluorescence dual emission and excellent biocompatibility for two-photon and time-resolved imaging and ratiometric temperature sensing.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 6290-6297
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08330J

Integration of RNAseq transcriptomics and N-glycomics reveal biosynthetic pathways and predict structure-specific N-glycan expression
glycoPATH integrates RNAseq transcriptomic and LC-MS/MS glycomic data, providing a platform to identify genes implicated in diseases involving N-glycan biosynthesis and enabling the development of targeted therapeutics for these pathways.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00467E

Boradigermaallyl: inhibition of CH bond activation by borane CO adduct formation followed by CO insertion
Multifaceted reactions of boradigermaallyl with unsaturated organic molecules are presented. CH activation is suppressed by CO borane adduct formation and subsequent CO insertion results in an α,β-unsaturated acylboron compound.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00881F

Insight into the atomic-level structure of γ-alumina using a multinuclear NMR crystallographic approach
Insight into the detailed bulk and surface structure of γ-Al2O3 is provided by a NMR crystallographic approach, exploiting isotopic enrichment, multinuclear experimental measurements and periodic calculations.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01198A

Deep-blue phosphorescence from platinum(II) bis(acetylide) complexes with sulfur-bridged dipyridyl ligands
New approaches to prepare rarer emitters such as those that are deep-blue are needed to advance OLED technologies.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5948-5956
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08205B

Umpolung of a covalent organic framework for high-performance cathodic sodium ion storage
Umpolung of the typical p-type TPA into n-type ATTO contributes to the COF electrode with a remarkable cathodic capacity of 286.31 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 in SIBs.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01195G

Graphendofullerene: a novel molecular two-dimensional ferromagnet
We introduce graphendofullerene, a novel molecular-based 2D magnetic material formed by trimetallic nitride clusters encapsulated on graphullerene, paving the way for a wide range of possibilities due to the host capabilities of fullerene.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC01278C

Diastereoselective 1,3-nitrooxygenation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes
Diastereoselective 1,3-nitrooxygenation of bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes with tert-butylnitrite and TEMPO to access 1,1,3-trisubstituted cyclobutanes is reported.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08753D

Vacuum infiltration for priming of soybean seeds: optimization and particle tracking using fluorescent silica nanoparticles
Vacuum infiltration of nanoparticles into soybean seeds can promote crop health and yields while reducing environmental impact.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08566C

The role of the droplet interface in controlling the multiphase oxidation of thiosulfate by ozone
Kinetic modeling shows that the gas–liquid interface influences product yields from the ozone oxidation of thiosulfate in microdroplets. This affects the average sulfur oxidation state after reaction, which may impact global atmospheric chemistry.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00379B

Ultra-high molecular weight polymer synthesis via aqueous dispersion polymerization
Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is leveraged for the synthesis of ultra-high molecular weight polymers in concentrated but free-flowing dispersions.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5573-5578
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00589B

Palladium-based coordination cages as dynamic crosslinks in acrylamide hydrogels
Hydrogels with PdnL2n-type junctions can be obtained by photoinitiated copolymerization of palladium cages with acrylamide monomers in water. The dynamic nature of the cage crosslinks allows for an anion-induced switch in network topology.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5559-5564
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00335K

Efficient and selective hydroboration of alkenes catalyzed by an air-stable (PPCF3P)CoI2 precatalyst
Using a novel (PPP) pincer ligand that features a central π-accepting N-heterocyclic trifluoromethyl phosphine fragment, a highly active air-stable cobalt precatalyst for the anti-Markovnikov hydroboration of alkenes is reported.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5717-5725
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08818B

Linker driven site-specific catalysis in atomically precise silver cluster assemblies
The choice of the linker significantly influences dimensionality, active site preference and catalytic activity across five Ag12 cluster assemblies.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5726-5734
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08408J

Effect of size, charge, and spin state on Hückel and Baird aromaticity in [N]annulenes
A systematic investigation is carried out for the lowest-lying triplet state of neutral and charged [N]annulenes with N = 12–66. Our aromatic stabilization energies prove that energetic (de)stabilization is important only for small annulenes.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5613-5622
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08225G

An organophotocatalytic redox-neutral strategy for late-stage drug functionalization with SO2 gas
We report here a metal-free, redox-neutral photocatalytic strategy of SO2 gas functionalization resulting in the one-pot synthesis of sulfonamides, sulfonate esters, and thiosulfonates through a photoexcited phenalenyl (PLY) ligand.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 5064-5075
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08380F

Synergistic engineering of ultraviolet metal-free crystals with exceptional birefringence via pyridine-derived dimers
The introduction of optimized [4-HP/4-H2P]+ cationic dimer pairs, instead of single monovalent [4-AP]+ cations, enhances birefringence by increasing the density of cationic layers and improving the alignment of anionic [3-pySO3]− groups.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 4703-4709
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00112A

Mercapto-NSAIDs generate a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and hydrogen sulfide
A new class of mercapto-NSAIDs that generate persulfide, H2S, and the NSAID is reported.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 4695-4702
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08525F

An argument for abandoning the “allowed” and “forbidden” classification of electrocyclic reactions
The energy gaps between “forbidden” and “allowed” mechanisms of routine electrocyclic reactions can be negligibly small.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 4264-4278
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08748H

The main factor that determines the formation-efficiencies of photochemically derived one-electron-reduced species
While the quantum yields of photosensitiser-derived one-electron-reduced species (OERS) significantly impact the overall efficiencies of various redox-photosensitised photocatalytic reactions, the primary factors that influence them remained unclear.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 4279-4289
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08268K

Orthologous mammalian A3A-mediated single-nucleotide resolution sequencing of DNA epigenetic modification 5-hydroxymethylcytosine
The OMA-seq method allows for accurate and quantitative detection of 5hmC at single-nucleotide resolution by leveraging natural deaminases. The use of orthologous enzymes for 5hmC detection enhances the toolkit available for epigenetic study.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3953-3963
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08660K

Iterative synthesis of stereodefined polyacetals and their domino-Coates–Claisen rearrangement
A simple and effective iterative strategy towards previously unknown unsaturated polyacetals enabled the exploration of an alkene isomerization-domino-Coates–Claisen rearrangement sequence, globally transforming the iteratively assembled backbone.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3946-3952
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08790A

Stereoselective synthesis of atropisomeric amides enabled by intramolecular acyl transfer
A stereoselective strategy to make C–N atropisomeric amides based on intramolecular acyl transfer via a tethered Lewis basic pyridine or tertiary amine group is reported.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3938-3945
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC05760K

Low temperature thermal RAFT depolymerization: the effect of Z-group substituents on molecular weight control and yield
Labile RAFT end-groups are crucial for poly(methacrylate) depolymerization. Electron-donating Z-groups improve monomer recovery at lower temperatures, while electron-withdrawing groups provide molecular weight control during depolymerization.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3516-3522
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07518H

A fluorobenzene-bound dysprosium half-sandwich dication single-molecule magnet
We show that fluorobenzene-bound dicationic lanthanide complexes containing a single anionic ligand can show interesting single-molecule magnet properties, and can be useful starting materials to heteroleptic complexes containing bulky ligands.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 610-620
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06661H

Radical pathways for 2,4-chromandione synthesis via photoexcitation of 4-hydroxycoumarins
A photochemical method for synthesizing 3,3-disubstituted 2,4-chromandiones is disclosed. Deprotonated 4-hydroxycoumarins, upon purple-light excitation, act as SET reductants, generating radicals to incorporate alkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups into chromanone scaffolds.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 124-129
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07495E
About this collection
Chemical Science is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025 and we would like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank members of our community who have been supporting the journal and publishing in Chemical Science since we launched fifteen years ago. To mark this milestone, we are delighted to present this special community collection, featuring work from our valued Chemical Science community. This collection includes invited papers from our frequent authors, trusted reviewers and Board members past and present. We hope that you enjoy reading this selection of articles, and that we can continue to provide an open and inclusive venue for researchers from across the chemical sciences for many years to come.
The 15th anniversary: Chemical Science community collection, accompanies our 15th anniversary: Leading Investigators collection, showcasing work from leading investigators from across all areas of chemistry who started their independent careers during the lifetime of the journal.