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  • Bicyclic peptides exhibit improved metabolic stabilities, membrane permeabilities, and target specificities over their linear and mono-cyclic counterparts, however, efficient bicyclization remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a one-pot tandem chemoenzymatic bicyclization by combination of penicillin-binding protein-type thioesterase-mediated head-to-tail macrolactamization and copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition.

    • Masakazu Kobayashi
    • Naho Onozawa
    • Toshiyuki Wakimoto
    ArticleOpen Access
  • Oxide-derived copper materials display high catalytic activities for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, but the mechanisms surrounding this high performance are not fully understood. Here, the authors use time-resolved operando spectroscopy to probe the structural dynamics of copper oxide reduction and reformation, both in the bulk and on the surface of copper foam catalysts.

    • Fan Yang
    • Shan Jiang
    • Holger Dau
    ArticleOpen Access
  • Norcoclaurine synthase from Thalictrum flavum (TfNCS) has been demonstrated to display high stereospecificity and yield in catalyzing the Pictet-Spengler reaction of dopamine with chiral aldehydes, however, the mechanism and factors related to this high stereospecificity remain unclear. Here, the authors conduct quantum chemical calculations and reveal the rate-limiting step and differential energy barriers for the reactions of two enantiomers of α-methylphenylacetaldehyde, as well as key residues related to stereospecificity.

    • Shiqing Zhang
    • Chenghua Zhang
    • Xiang Sheng
    ArticleOpen Access
  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be depolymerized by the Ideonella sakaiensis PETase enzyme, however, questions remain about the precise catalytic mechanism. Here, the authors use unbiased QM/MM MD simulations to determine optimal mechanistic descriptions of the acylation and deacylation reactions, revealing the rate-limiting step and key interactions within the catalytic triad and Trp185 conformation.

    • Tucker Burgin
    • Benjamin C. Pollard
    • H. Lee Woodcock
    ArticleOpen Access
  • The detection of cancer in its early stages can greatly prevent disease development, however, current technologies for tumor detection present several limitations. Here, the authors develop a paper-based electrochemical device for detecting cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (S-EVs) in fluids, recognizing αvβ6-containing S-EVs down to a limit of 0.7*103 S-EVs/mL with a linear range up to 105 S-EVs/mL.

    • Stefano Cinti
    • Stefano Tomassi
    • Luciana Marinelli
    ArticleOpen Access
  • Organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a versatile method for synthesizing well-defined polymers, however, precision synthesis of polysiloxanes remains challenging due to a mismatch in polarity between initiators, monomers, and polymers and the formation of scrambling products. Here, the authors describe a binary organocatalytic ROP of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane employing organic bases as catalysts and (thio)urea as cocatalysts, achieving solubilization of multifunctional silanol initiators and 90% monomer conversion.

    • Hiroshi Okamoto
    • Atsushi Sogabe
    • Satoshi Honda
    ArticleOpen Access
  • FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) data practices are necessary to expedite knowledge discovery, encourage collaboration, and optimise resource use, fostering a robust foundation for future scientific progress. Here, the authors explore the use of FAIR practices to advance materials chemistry research, examining key repositories, highlighting their role in sharing scientific data, and examining the accessibility of these approaches.

    • Konstantin Stracke
    • Jack D. Evans
    CommentOpen Access
  • Communications Chemistry is pleased to introduce a Collection of articles focused on organomediated polymerization. Here, the Guest Editors highlight the themes within and look towards the future of this research field.

    • Satoshi Honda
    • Karin Odelius
    • Haritz Sardon
    EditorialOpen Access
  • Boroxines, resulting from the reversible dehydration of boronic acids, have been incorporated as structural units into functional materials and molecular assemblies, but their applicability is restricted to non-aqueous environments owing to their inherent water instability. Now, a boroxine structure spontaneously formed from the 2-hydroxyphenylboronic acid dimer enables water-compatible dynamic B–O covalent bonds, expanding their future applicability.

    • Virginia Valderrey Berciano
    Research HighlightOpen Access
  • Covalent cysteine labeling is an important tool in protein modification, however, current methodologies suffer from limited reactivities and require the prior synthesis of individual derivative reagents. Now, a covalent cysteine labeling method that converts the cysteinyl thiol into episulfonium electrophiles in situ has been developed, enabling reactions with various nucleophiles in one step.

    • Huijuan Guo
    Research HighlightOpen Access
  • Pomalidomide is an E3 ligase recruiter exploited by PROTACs to degrade target proteins, but its application is hampered by the off-target degradation of other vital endogenous zinc finger (ZF) proteins. Now, the off-target ZF binding of pomalidomide-based PROTACs is evaluated by a high-throughput imaging screening platform, and minimization of off-target degradation as well as enhanced potency are achieved through selective functionalization at the C5 position of the phthalimide ring.

    • Huijuan Guo
    Research HighlightOpen Access
Circular carbon economy

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a key technology to combat global climate issues. By utilizing renewable energy, we can convert greenhouse gases into value-added commodity chemicals. While there has been a growing number of CO2 research in recent years, there are still many unanswered fundamental questions and engineering challenges. With this collection, we encourage scientists from different academic backgrounds to explore these remaining challenges in the CO2 electrochemical reduction reaction and provide a forum for the CO2 community to share their latest research results. We welcome all submission of original research articles, reviews and perspectives related to the theme of CO2 electrocatalytic reduction.
Collection

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