Luminescent aluminum compounds have been utilized for emitting and electron transporting layers in organic light-emitting diodes, but most exhibit fluorescence as opposed to phosphorescence. Here, the photophysical properties of β-diketiminate aluminum complexes are shown to depend on the nature of the metal substituents, with a diiodoaluminum complex displaying room temperature phosphorescence.

Multifunctional cysteine targeting covalent warheads possess significant therapeutic potential in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology. Here, the authors develop an oxazolinosene scaffold from nitrile groups and saccharides that can selectively conjugate cysteine residues within peptides and proteins under physiological conditions, as well as deplete glutathione in cancer cells.

Flavin-based biocatalysis using flavin mononucleotide (FMN) cofactor attracts significant attention for its application in asymmetric alkene reduction and various other reactions, however, the scale-up of flavin-based biocatalysis in flow remains unexplored. Here, the authors develop a closed-loop flow platform for H₂-driven regeneration of cofactor FMNH₂ and ene-reduction using immobilized Old Yellow Enzyme, achieving >99% conversion of ketoisophorone to levodione.

Compartmentalization within living cells is vital to orchestrate intracellular processes, but effective compartmentalization and organization within synthetic cells remains a key challenge. Here, the authors report a lab-on-a-chip system to reversibly trigger the formation of peptide-based coacervates as membraneless organelles via pH/temperature/osmolyte variations within cell-mimicking confinements.

Aluminum hydroxide polymorphs play a key role in industrial aluminum production, yet their nucleation and growth kinetics remain beyond the reach of current models. Here, the authors study polymorph formation in situ from supersaturated alkaline sodium aluminate solutions using time-resolved neutron pair distribution function and complementary spectroscopy analyses, which indicate the formation of individual Al(OD)₃ layers as an intermediate particle phase.

With the ever-growing reliance on polymeric materials for numerous applications, new avenues to induce, design and control degradation are clearly important. Here, the authors report an approach to controlling the enzymatic hydrolysis of high molecular weight branched polymers formed from transfer-dominated branching radical telomerisation, through telogen selection and multi-vinyl taxogen design.

Extraterrestrial carbon gives insights into the origin of life and processes that took place billions of years ago in our solar system. Here, the authors provide an overview of what is known and of unanswered questions with a meteoritical focus.

Rare-earth telluride clusters enable the construction of highly crystalline rare-earth tellurides, but a general route for preparing such clusters is lacking. Now, a facile reduction approach produces rare-earth clusters supported by (poly)tellurido ligands, including a tri-tellurido ligand with a three-center, four-electron bonding structure.

The chemical reduction of group 1 metal cations to their zero-valent species is challenging. Now, a bipyridine-stabilized borate anion joins the ranks of suitable reducing agents and also proves active in the two-electron reduction of CO₂.

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.

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.