Review Articles

Although it is a fundamental property of many small molecules, chirality is not widely exploited in materials applications as its benefits are not widely recognized — indeed, the need for stereoselective synthesis may be seen as a disadvantage. In this Review, we highlight recent research in which chirality has had an enabling impact in technological applications.

Homogenous transition metal electrocatalysts are topical owing to their role in processing electrical energy and mediating the synthesis of chemical fuels. Mechanisms can be uncovered using electrochemical techniques and data analyses, along with complementary spectroscopic techniques. This Review presents case studies highlighting the utility of these methods in the context of electrocatalysis for chemical fuel production.

The disconnection of C–H and C–C bonds is an efficient approach to functionalize organic molecules. Particularly useful are transformations in which these two cleavage reactions operate in tandem. This Review describes this tandem strategy and provides examples of its application in synthetic chemistry.

The counterfeiting of goods has economic implications and is a threat to health and security. One promising solution for product authentication is the incorporation of physical unclonable functions. This Review delineates how stochastic chemical processes can afford unique anti-counterfeiting tags that cannot be reproduced.

The relative inertness of dinitrogen can be overcome by coordination to suitable organometallics. This Review explores the influence of coordination mode on the likelihood of functionalization and the nature of the products, which take the form of nitrogen-containing complexes and organics, as well as species such as NH₃ and N₂H₄.

Electrodes colonized by microbial electrocatalysts can serve as useful components in the electrosynthesis of valuable chemical products. This Review outlines the mechanisms by which electrons are transferred between microorganisms and electrodes, and describes the challenges involved in designing robust and efficient systems.

Elaborate molecules can be assembled in a relatively mild manner through organic cross-coupling reactions, with those mediated by group 10 metal complexes being particularly useful. This Review covers the development of nickel and palladium precatalysts, comparing state-of-the-art systems and offering design principles for future technologies.

Gold surfaces decorated with organosulfur ligands are of nanotechnological importance. Despite this, gold-sulfur interactions — to which van der Waals forces contribute significantly — have only recently been studied in depth. This Review covers these and other soft-soft interactions in which van der Waals forces determine bonding outcomes.

The primary goal of a process chemist is to develop a commercially viable synthetic route to a known drug candidate. The approaches to a synthetic challenge are consequently very different to those used in medicinal chemistry. This Review uses case studies to highlight important considerations, and the tactics used during the design and selection of an efficient drug synthesis.

This Review covers recent progress and current challenges in the synthesis and stabilization of elemental 2D materials — topical species with peculiar properties. The further development of preparative methodologies will help to expand the 2D materials library well beyond naturally occurring layered materials, and afford products with unique structures and functions.

Splitting water is an attractive means by which energy — either electrical and/or light — is stored and consumed on demand. Active and efficient catalysts for anodic and cathodic reactions often require precious metals. This Review covers base-metal catalysts that can afford high performance in a more sustainable and available manner.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables the imaging and manipulation of individual molecules at atomic resolution. This Review addresses experimental considerations, including operating modes and choices for tips and substrates. Examples are presented in which AFM is used to image molecules and induce bond formation or dissociation.

The unique reactivity of actinide metal complexes may offer opportunities to convert carbon oxygenates into value-added chemicals. This Review describes progress towards using these complexes as catalysts in such transformations with the ultimate aim of reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources.

Despite its relative weakness, the London dispersion force can strongly influence physical and chemical properties of molecules. This Review highlights how structure and reactivity of organometallic and inorganic molecules are greatly affected by the cumulative effect of this force.