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Enantioselective triple [2 + 2 + 2] cycloadditions are reported that enable the synthesis of 3D π-extended carbo[11] and [13]helicenes, which show excellent circularly polarized luminescence brightness (up to 513 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), the highest value among helicene derivatives.

Renewable electricity-driven nitrogen oxidation is a green alternative to Haber–Bosch and Ostwald processes, but it is challenging to effectively steer oxygen intermediates towards the nitrogen oxidation reaction pathway. Now, to mitigate competing oxygen evolution and improve nitrogen oxidation efficiency, the use of hydroxyl radicals as the nitrogen oxidant is proposed.

Monolayer gold could exhibit properties of benefit to various applications, but has been challenging to synthesize. Now, the exfoliation of two-dimensional single-atom-thick gold layers — termed goldene — is achieved through wet-chemically etching away Ti₃C₂ from Ti₃AuC₂, a nanolaminated MAX-phase. Goldene shows lattice contraction and an increase in the gold 4f binding energy compared with the bulk.

Atomically thin gold nanosheets are predicted to have interesting properties but their synthesis is challenging. Here the exfoliation of two-dimensional single-atom-thick gold, termed goldene, is achieved through wet-chemically etching Ti₃C₂ from Ti₃AuC₂. The synthesized goldene has promising properties as a heterocatalyst.

Metal vacancies capable of generating magnetism can be created in 2D semiconductors by atomic-scale etching induced by electron-beam irradiation.

The controlled degradation of larger and potentially harmful molecules into smaller, and preferably valuable, products is a crucial step to close the waste–degradation–synthesis loop envisioned by circular chemistry. Now, a forward-synthesis algorithm is designed to facilitate such degradation-oriented analyses, and proof-of-concept experimental validation is provided.

Palladium-catalysed C(sp³)–H amination reactions of carboxylic acids are challenging due to N-coordination often outcompeting the carboxylic acid directing effect. Now, the development of chlorinated pyridine–pyridone ligands for palladium-catalysed methylene C(sp³)–H lactamization and cycloamination is reported, enabling the synthesis of lactams and cyclic amines.

Selection principles for precursors are decoded from phase diagrams and applied to the synthesis of inorganic oxide materials.

Quaternary oxides can be synthesized from a variety of precursors, but there is a poor understanding of how to design efficient synthesis recipes. Here a strategy to navigate high-dimensional phase diagrams in search of the best precursors for quaternary oxide materials is reported and validated experimentally by a robotic laboratory.

Irreproducible synthetic methods consume time, money, and resources. Here, we highlight the steps Nature Synthesis takes to help authors make their synthetic procedures as reproducible as possible.

d-cyclodextrins are naturally occurring macrocyclic oligosaccharides that act as hosts for hydrophobic guests and are produced on a multi-tonne scale. Now, using chemical synthesis, mirror-image cyclodextrins are produced from l- instead of d-glucose units.

The making of mirror-image versions of naturally occurring cyclodextrins (CDs) is challenging and constitutes an untouched goal of the CD community. Now a concise approach is developed for the diastereoselective synthesis of three mirror-image CDs in an efficient and scalable manner.

Methods for enzymatic C–F bond formation are rare. Now an enzymatic method for enantioselective C(sp³)–F bond formation is reported, through reprogramming non-haem iron enzyme (S)-2-hydroxypropylphosphonate epoxidase. Mechanistic studies reveal that the process proceeds through an iron-mediated radical fluorine transfer process.

Non-canonical amino acids are important building blocks in the synthesis of natural products, peptides and drugs. Now, a one-pot chemoenzymatic approach to synthesize branched azacyclic non-canonical amino acids is reported. This method combines enzymatic transamination of 2,n-diketoacids and stereocontrolled chemical reduction to provide the desired products with high stereoselectivity.

The controlled growth of thin films of conjugated metal–organic frameworks is reported using an on-liquid-gallium surface synthesis strategy under chemical vapour deposition conditions. The surface flatness of the thin films is a tenfold improvement compared with samples synthesized by traditional routes.

A series of molecular rare-earth telluride clusters incorporating a three-centre, four-electron, tri-tellurido ligand (Te₃⁴⁻) are reported. These atomically precise clusters, possessing ultralow band gaps comparable to those of monocrystalline silicon and gallium arsenide, are potentially applicable as quantum materials and for optoelectronic applications.

Coupling an exergonic process with an orthogonal, endergonic one has opened the door to drive artificial systems away from equilibrium. Now, this concept is used to bias the outcome of an uphill chemical reaction.