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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.
Synthesis of fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass is an important way to achieve sustainable development. This Review summarizes catalyst design for steering interfacial charge transfer and radical intermediate reactions in photocatalytic biorefineries.
By systematically exploring a large chemical space using automated experimentation, a high-performing organic photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution is discovered.
Artificial intelligence is used to automate the synthesis of single molecules using the tip of a scanning probe microscope, as well as to extract chemical information from these reactions.
Spontaneous reactions proceed thermodynamically downhill, limiting transformations to those that are exergonic. Now a chemically fuelled endergonic synthesis is reported in which a Diels–Alder reaction is driven uphill by a ratchet mechanism.
An efficient molecular nanojunction photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution is identified from a combinatorial molecular library, assisted by a materials acceleration platform, which is then scaled-up to the litre scale using flow synthesis.
Metal–organic framework (MOF) materials are promising photocatalysts for solar-driven fuel production from CO2. Here, built on a literature survey and data macroanalysis, we examine the development of MOFs as photocatalysts for CO2 conversion, while assessing pitfalls and opportunities.
Three closely related proline-based ligands give rise to different catalytic systems in asymmetric dialkylzinc addition reactions. Mechanistic studies reveal that monomeric, dimeric and product–catalyst complexes and aggregates larger than dimers are all catalytically active.
Control of atoms with single-atom precision is a key challenge in nanoscience. Now an electron beam approach to engineer shielded metal atoms in transition metal dichalcogenides is proposed. This method can create diverse atomic vacancies, leading to interesting magnetic and electronic properties.
Multicomponent catalytic reactions that generate enantioenriched boronic esters are underdeveloped. Now an N-heterocyclic carbene–nickel catalyst promotes enantioselective alkene 1,2-carboboration to access multifunctional alkylboronates, bearing a tertiary or quaternary β-stereocentre.
Metal–organic frameworks are important catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction but if the field is to continue to advance, then reporting of photocatalytic metrics and practices must be standardized.
Radical-mediated synthesis of N-glycosides is underdeveloped. Here a glycosyl radical-mediated N-glycosylation reaction using combined copper and photoredox catalysis is reported. This protocol exhibits high chemoselectivity and water tolerance, overcoming challenges associated with cationic glycosylation reactions.
A strategy for the precise and scalable synthesis of a series of M1M2 (where M is a metal ion) heteronuclear dual-atom catalysts (DACs) is proposed. Photoinduced electron accumulation at the M1 sites results in the capture and reduction of M2 cations close to the M1 sites to generate DACs with high purity.
A navigation and positioning strategy is proposed for the scalable synthesis of a series of heteronuclear dual-atom catalysts via irradiation. It is shown that photo-induced electron accumulation at the M1 site can attract an M2 metal cation, forming heteronuclear dimers with high purity.