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Single-atom catalysts are heterogeneous materials featuring active metals sites atomically dispersed on a surface. This Review describes methods by which we prepare and characterize these materials, as well as how we can tune their catalytic performance in a variety of important reactions.
A move away from fossil fuels as an energy source will also require a move to new sources for important chemical feedstocks. This Review considers the use of homogeneous catalysis to convert cellulosics into low-volume, high-value chemicals that are currently derived from crude oil.
Transition-metal-catalysed hydrosilylation and hydroboration reactions are valuable in the synthesis of commodity and fine chemicals, respectively. This Review describes the catalyst design principles that enable us to perform these reactions using catalysts based on earth-abundant metals. Scenarios in which using earth-abundant metals can offer an advantage over using a precious metal are also outlined.
Native chemical ligation (NCL) has revolutionized the field of chemical protein synthesis. This Review discusses milestones such as desulfurization, the development of thiol and selenol analogues of proteinogenic amino acids and novel acyl donors for multi-component iterative ligations. These have greatly expanded the NCL concept and enabled the synthesis of hitherto inaccessible protein targets.
Bio-interface materials inspired by natural systems that respond efficiently to various external stimuli can dynamically regulate molecular interactions between biological entities and material surfaces. In this Review, Gomes and colleagues describe advances in bio-interface materials that may provide insights into cell behaviour, biofouling and the production of on-demand devices with medical applications, among others.
Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the most complete theoretical framework to date to complement experimental spectroscopies in chemistry. Owing to its complexity, several approximations are needed in order to be able to apply QED in practice. This Review highlights how the breakdown of some of these approximations challenges our understanding of light–matter interactions and discusses how new theoretical developments can help to overcome these approximations.
The approximation underlying most atomistic simulations to treat nuclei classically can lead to large errors and the failure to capture important physical effects. This Review reports on recent developments that enable modelling of quantum nuclei at a computational cost comparable with that of a classical simulation.
The design of synthetic systems that mimic the ability of biological systems to control chemical reactions using intricate molecular machines is a long-held dream of nanotechnology. This Review discusses how developments in controlled molecular switching and movement are being exploited in the design of catalysts that are just beginning to emulate the complexity of living systems.
Iterative approaches to synthesis have revolutionized the preparation and study of peptides, nucleic acids and sugars. This Review discusses whether and how such iterative syntheses can be applied more broadly towards an ultimate goal of developing a building block approach to the synthesis of most small organic molecules.
The metals in polyoxometalates need not be in their highest oxidation states. Indeed, polyoxometalates can exist in reduced forms, and several different metals can be incorporated into various structural archetypes. This Review describes the synthesis and characterization of these complexes, along with their topical catalytic, electronic and biological properties.
Building on the theoretical prediction and experimental realization of planar tetracoordinate carbons, there has been great progress in the theoretical prediction of species containing planar pentacoordinate carbon (ppC) centres. From simple clusters such as CAl5+ to complicated ppCs in 2D materials, this Review summarizes the ppC-containing species predicted to date and the design principles behind them.
The electrochemical oxidation and reduction of water and carbon dioxide are associated with the release or storage of energy. This Review reports the latest developments in the design and use of low-dimensional materials and their van der Waals heterostructures for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and CO2 conversion.
