Macroscopic self-assembly through molecular recognition - pp34 - 37

Akira Harada, Ryosuke Kobayashi, Yoshinori Takashima, Akihito Hashidzume & Hiroyasu Yamaguchi

doi:10.1038/nchem.893

Specific molecular-recognition interactions are often used to build supramolecular architectures on very small length scales — typically those of molecules or macromolecules. Now, it has been shown that a host-guest system based on cyclodextrin rings and hydrocarbon groups can be used to direct the self-assembly of objects from macroscopic gel-based building blocks.

Abstract - Macroscopic self-assembly through molecular recognition | Full Text - Macroscopic self-assembly through molecular recognition | PDF (1,720 KB) - Macroscopic self-assembly through molecular recognition | Supplementary information

Subject terms: Materials chemistry | Supramolecular chemistry

See also: News and Views by Steed

Multidimensional steric parameters in the analysis of asymmetric catalytic reactions - pp366 - 374

Kaid C. Harper, Elizabeth N. Bess & Matthew S. Sigman

doi:10.1038/nchem.1297

Many parameters have been designed to describe steric size, but few have been able to explain consistently the selectivity of asymmetric catalytic reactions. Here, Sterimol parameters — originally used to develop quantitative structure–activity relationships in medicinal chemistry — have been used to quantify enantioselectivity in a diverse collection of asymmetric catalytic reactions.

Abstract - Multidimensional steric parameters in the analysis of asymmetric catalytic reactions | Full Text - Multidimensional steric parameters in the analysis of asymmetric catalytic reactions | PDF (516 KB) - Multidimensional steric parameters in the analysis of asymmetric catalytic reactions | Supplementary information

Subject terms: Catalysis | Synthesis

See also: News and Views by Miller

Self-reproduction of supramolecular giant vesicles combined with the amplification of encapsulated DNA - pp775 - 781

Kensuke Kurihara, Mieko Tamura, Koh-ichiroh Shohda, Taro Toyota, Kentaro Suzuki & Tadashi Sugawara

doi:10.1038/nchem.1127

The self-replication process of a giant vesicle encapsulating double-stranded DNA has been observed, which represents a supramolecular approach to the construction of a protocell. Growth and division of the vesicle occurred rapidly on addition of a membrane precursor, and amplified DNA was distributed amongst the resulting daughter giant vesicles.

Abstract - Self-reproduction of supramolecular giant vesicles combined with the amplification of encapsulated DNA | Full Text - Self-reproduction of supramolecular giant vesicles combined with the amplification of encapsulated DNA | PDF (1,180 KB) - Self-reproduction of supramolecular giant vesicles combined with the amplification of encapsulated DNA | Supplementary information | Chemical compounds

Subject term: Supramolecular chemistry

See also: News and Views by Luisi & Stano

The use of elemental sulfur as an alternative feedstock for polymeric materials - pp518 - 524

Woo Jin Chung, Jared J. Griebel, Eui Tae Kim, Hyunsik Yoon, Adam G. Simmonds, Hyun Jun Ji, Philip T. Dirlam, Richard S. Glass, Jeong Jae Wie, Ngoc A. Nguyen, Brett W. Guralnick, Jungjin Park, Árpád Somogyi, Patrick Theato, Michael E. Mackay, Yung-Eun Sung, Kookheon Char & Jeffrey Pyun

doi:10.1038/nchem.1624

A polymerization method for converting elemental sulfur into a chemically stable, processable and electrochemically active copolymer has been described. This methodology — termed inverse vulcanization — is conducted by a one-step process using liquid sulfur, as both reaction medium and reactant, and vinylic comonomers to form polymeric materials with a high content of sulfur (50–90 wt%).

Abstract - The use of elemental sulfur as an alternative feedstock for polymeric materials | Full Text - The use of elemental sulfur as an alternative feedstock for polymeric materials | PDF (2,600 KB) - The use of elemental sulfur as an alternative feedstock for polymeric materials | Supplementary information

Subject terms: Polymer chemistry | Materials chemistry | Electrochemistry

Redox-inactive metals modulate the reduction potential in heterometallic manganese–oxido clusters - pp293 - 299

Emily Y. Tsui, Rosalie Tran, Junko Yano & Theodor Agapie

doi:10.1038/nchem.1578

The presence of Ca²⁺ is essential for the activity of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of Photosystem II, although its exact role is still unclear. Now, electrochemical measurements of structural mimics of the OEC — based on mixed-metal trimanganese dioxido complexes — reveal a correlation between the Lewis acidity of the redox-inactive metal and the reduction potential of the complex.

Abstract - Redox-inactive metals modulate the reduction potential in heterometallic manganese–oxido clusters | Full Text - Redox-inactive metals modulate the reduction potential in heterometallic manganese–oxido clusters | PDF (2,210 KB) - Redox-inactive metals modulate the reduction potential in heterometallic manganese–oxido clusters | Supplementary information

subject terms: Electrochemistry | Inorganic chemistry

See also: News and Views by Cook & Borovik

Dinitrogen cleavage and functionalization by carbon monoxide promoted by a hafnium complex - pp30 - 35

Donald J. Knobloch, Emil Lobkovsky & Paul J. Chirik

doi:10.1038/nchem.477

Two abundant feedstocks, dinitrogen and carbon monoxide, have the strongest bonds in chemistry, so breaking them is a significant challenge. An organometallic hafnium compound has now been shown to induce nitrogen cleavage on addition of carbon monoxide, with simultaneous assembly of new nitrogen–carbon and carbon–carbon bonds.

Abstract - | Full Text - Dinitrogen cleavage and functionalization by carbon monoxide promoted by a hafnium complex | PDF (456 KB) - Dinitrogen cleavage and functionalization by carbon monoxide promoted by a hafnium complex | Supplementary information

Subject Categories: Inorganic chemistry | Organometallic chemistry