Articles

Enantioselective C–C cross-coupling of unactivated alkenes is challenging. Now, nickel catalysts bearing bulky C₂-symmetric chiral N-heterocyclic carbene ligands enable directing group-free asymmetric cross-coupling of unactivated alkenes with aryl or alkenyl triflates and nucleophiles, generating C sp³ stereocentres.

Cas9 is a powerful genome-manipulation enzyme, although how its catalytic activity is controlled is not completely solved. Now, cryo-electron microscopy structures of Acidothermus cellulolyticus Cas9 provide atomic-level insights into its activation involving DNA binding, conformational changes and the formation of its two active sites.

Alkene 1,1-difunctionalization can provide direct access to valuable molecules. Now, an organometallic-radical relay strategy involving radical generation through homolysis of the metal–alkyl complex allows catalytic coupling of terminal or internal alkenes with arylboronic acids and electrophilic radical acceptors.

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene involves high H₂ consumption as well as a high energy input. Now, a thermocatalytic process for acetylene semi-hydrogenation using H₂O as H source and CO on a Au/α-MoC catalyst is introduced.

CO electroreduction is a promising process for obtaining high-value chemicals but it typically suffers from low durability. Now the degradation mechanisms of membrane-electrode-assembly devices during high-rate CO reduction are identified via operando wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements and circumvented.

Inexpensive Fe–N–C single-atom catalysts are a promising solution to replace costly Pt-based cathode catalysts in fuel cells, but they typically suffer from low durability. Now, the degradation mechanisms of Fe–N–C catalysts are identified under operando conditions as a function of time, and potential solutions are proposed.

Upgrading methane to more valuable chemicals such as methanol is highly appealing but remains challenging. Here the authors show how edge-rich MoS₂ can be used to oxidize methane to C1 oxygenates at room temperature using oxygen as the oxidant.

CO₂ conversion to valuable chemicals is of great interest in sustainable chemistry. Now, β-amino acids are synthesized by a dual catalytic strategy that enables the aminocarboxylation of alkenes using CO₂, proceeding via alkene radical anion intermediates that are generated using a designed binaphthol-derived photoredox catalyst.

The electrochemical synthesis of hydrazine is a very attractive yet challenging process. Now, the direct electrochemical oxidation of ammonia to hydrazine on a Ru complex catalyst, involving a bimolecular N‒N coupling mechanism, is reported.

Non-natural photobiocatalysis is attractive but usually involves UV light activation or the formation of electron donor–acceptor complexes. Now direct visible-light excitation of flavin-dependent ene-reductases allows stereocontrolled intermolecular radical hydroarylation of alkenes initiated by single-electron oxidation.

Producing valuable chemicals from carbon dioxide, water and sunlight through artificial conversion schemes remains a challenging and ambitious goal in photocatalysis. Here, the authors introduce an effective approach for the synthesis of C₂₊ compounds using a binary AuIr catalyst in combination with InGaN nanowires.

Urea electrosynthesis from nitrate and CO₂ is an attractive strategy to diminish pollutants and reduce emissions, but yields are generally low. Now, this process is performed on a Zn/Cu hybrid catalyst achieving high Faradaic efficiency for urea of 75% via a relay catalysis mechanism.

The partial oxidation of methane to methanol is a very attractive yet challenging process. Now, a H₂-reduced Pd-containing phosphomolybdate catalyst is reported to convert methane and O₂ to methanol with nearly 100% selectivity at room temperature.

Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells are promising devices for energy conversion. Now, a porous nitrogen-doped carbon-supported PtRu catalyst for the hydrogen oxidation reaction is presented, consisting of Pt single atoms and PtRu nanoparticles that work synergistically. The catalyst enables a fuel cell that exceeds the US Department of Energy 2022 performance target.

Fuel cells rely on costly and scarce platinum-group metals to catalyse both anodic and cathodic reactions. Here a catalyst consisting of atomically dispersed iridium and phosphorus on carbon is presented, where adjacent iridium and phosphorus sites work as integrative catalytic pairs to synergically boost the performance for the hydrogen oxidation reaction.

Copper-based electrocatalysts promote the formation of high-value multicarbon products from CO₂, but the process competes with C₁ product formation. Now a strategy is presented to tune the activity of water by using water-in-salt electrolytes to increase the C₂₊/C₁ ratio.

Anthocyanins are used in the food and cosmetic industries. Due to the insufficient production in alternative hosts, they are still isolated from plants. Now, this study suggests an important catalytic role of glutathione transferases for the efficient biosynthesis of these natural products.

The common static description of catalysts during turnover has often been challenged, but their specific nature under such conditions remains elusive. Now complex simulations reveal that ammonia decomposition on LiNH surfaces is catalysed by a highly dynamic, liquid-like interface that reversibly forms under operation.

Strategies for the asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams are highly sought after. Now, a NiH-catalysed enantioselective intramolecular hydroamidation of alkenes affording β-lactam scaffolds is described, whereby the C–N bond is formed with unusual regioselectivity at the more proximal position.

Electrochemistry holds great potential for the synthesis of complex and valuable compounds, but so far attempts to prepare amino acids have resulted in low yields. Now, the electrosynthesis of alanine and other amino acids from NO and α-keto acids is performed on a silver catalyst, and the amino acid yield is enhanced using two decoupled flow reactors.