News & Comment

A disilagermirene is a cyclopropene analogue with an unsaturated Si=Ge moiety. Such rings can be generated and stabilized in the presence of Ni, which the Si=Ge group binds through its σ-bond rather than π-bond.

A deep dive into the mechanism of a classic photoredox reaction.

Laser ablation enables the study of discrete metal difluorides and their reactions with dioxygen and ozone. Metal-fluoride vibrational energies give an indication of the charge on a metal difluoride moiety and help us rationalize the resultant structures.

An experiment that challenged established dogma opened an entirely new avenue for research in the assembly and control of mechanically interlocked compounds.

A range of aryl and alkenyl organosodium reagents can be prepared by halogen–sodium exchange reactions with neopentylsodium and may be a useful alternative to widely used organolithium reagents.

Our review of Nano is the the joint work of Rosalind (9) and Kristy, her Mum.

Twisted nanoribbons with up to 322 atoms in the aromatic core (53 rings) have been prepared.

As scientists of all stripes grow as leaders, it becomes their responsibility to shed light on the opportunities that may be hidden within an apparent failure. Presented as a letter to his younger self, Marc Reid looks back at the time when he could scarcely handle professional rejection and examines the lessons he learned.

Gold(III) complexes can undergo facile reductive elimination of aryl halides, particularly when bulky co-ligands are present. This study informs us about the elementary reactions of copper(III) congeners, which are prominent intermediates in organic cross-couplings.

The coronavirus pandemic forced a rapid adoption of online learning. What can be done for teaching the practical elements of subjects like chemistry? Have we learned anything that we would keep outside of lockdown restrictions?

Surface tension can help peel a 2D drawing away from the paper and convert it into a 3D object.

A combined experimental and computational approach provides structural insight into amorphous metal–organic frameworks.

A diversity-oriented synthesis approach to prepare libraries of porous materials has enabled the identification of polymers with specific and tunable lithium-ion transport properties that may be applied in the production of more efficient batteries and fuel cells.

A review of Walter Isaacson’s book The Code Breaker, which takes us behind the scenes to reveal the personal stories of the chemists behind the CRISPR gene editing technology.

One of the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations General Assembly is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This requires investment in water purification technologies. World Water Day offers an opportunity to discuss whether such investment will help achieve this laudable goal.

(−)-Isoscopariusin A is the fourth natural product with potential immunosuppressive activity to be isolated from Isodon scoparius — a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its synthesis will enable further study of its interesting biological activity.

Redox-responsive supramolecular nanoparticle surfactants can aid the preparation and control of all-liquid constructs.

A new direct route to amine-linked covalent organic frameworks affords robust crystalline materials amenable to post-synthetic modification.

A review of Carolyn Cobbold’s book A Rainbow Palate, which looks at the history of the use of chemical dyes in food.

Splat chemistry fires molecules at a surface and then analyses the products that remain attached in order to study the dynamics of collision-activated reactions