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Enantioselective synthesis of medium-sized rings by organocatalytic cycloadditions offers opportunities that are complementary to metal-catalysed cycloadditions. This Review discusses the ability of organocatalytic cycloadditions to synthesize stereodefined medium-sized ring architectures, critically evaluates current synthetic strategies, and highlights avenues for further development.
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of all-carbon quaternary stereocentres is a long-term challenge in organic synthesis because of substantial steric repulsion and dissimilarities between the substituents around the stereocentre. This Review presents how the desymmetrization strategy plays an important role in constructing these types of motifs.
Performing enantioselective photocatalytic reactions with visible light is a challenging task that has seen substantial advances with the development of new catalysts. Although many approaches utilize dual-catalytic systems in which the photocatalyst is separate from the chirality-inducing moiety, in this Review bifunctional photocatalysts that perform both roles are discussed.
The electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) balances the hydrogen evolution reaction when splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. This review highlights the need for new theory, electrochemistry and operando spectroscopy to enable knowledge-driven synthesis of new OER electrocatalysts.
Chemoenzymatic strategies that combine chemical and enzymatic transformations are becoming increasingly popular in the synthesis of complex molecules. This Review highlights notable case studies in the application of chemoenzymatic strategies for structure–activity relationship explorations of bioactive natural products.
Green ammonia synthesis is important for future sustainable manufacturing of fuels and chemicals. This Review highlights the recent progress and challenges in both fundamental research in catalysis and potential industrial scaleup using renewables.
Combinatorial synthesis has historically been the cornerstone of high-throughput experimentation. In this Review, we discuss the evolution of combinatorial synthesis and envision a future for accelerated materials science through its integration with artificial intelligence. We also evaluate the key aspects of combinatorial synthesis with respect to workflow design.
Anodic C(sp3)–H bond oxidative functionalization that involve C(sp3)–M, a C(sp3) radical or a C(sp3) cation intermediate with hydrogen evolution can be achieved by direct and indirect electrolysis. This Review discusses both strategies, and gives examples of the electrochemical methods developed for such functionalization reactions.
Intercalation-based exfoliation is a reliable strategy for preparing atomically thin sheets. This Review highlights various types of intercalation-based exfoliation methods as well as the potential applications of the exfoliated nanosheets and the challenges and prospects in this emerging field.
Self-driving labs (SDLs) combine machine learning with automated experimental platforms, enabling rapid exploration of the chemical space and accelerating the pace of materials and molecular discovery. In this Review, the application of SDLs, their limitations and future opportunities are discussed, and a roadmap is provided for their implementation by non-expert scientists.
