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Functional-group transfer strategies using surrogates to avoid handling hazardous reagents are often limited to monofunctionalization reactions. Now, an operationally simple and mechanistically distinct photocatalytic transfer strategy for vicinal dihalogenation of carbon–carbon multiple bonds, such as in alkenes, alkynes and allenes, using readily synthesized oxime-based dihalogen surrogates is reported.
Trial-and-error synthesis and labour-intensive characterization procedures hinder the development of nanocrystals. Now, a data-driven robotic synthesis approach is used to prepare gold and double-perovskite nanocrystals. This approach combines data mining of synthesis parameters, robot-assisted synthesis and characterization, and machine-learning-facilitated inverse design of the nanocrystals.
Copper-catalysed enantioconvergent radical Michaelis–Becker-type C(sp3)–P cross-coupling of diverse racemic alkyl halides with H-phosphonates has been achieved, overcoming the competing SN2 mechanism. Multidentate chiral ligands are crucial to prevent catalyst poisoning and enhance the reducing capability of the copper catalyst for initiation of the radical process.
Alkynes are key building blocks in synthetic chemistry and materials science. Now, a modular synthesis of alkynes, through coupling of carboxylic acid esters with gem-diborylalkanes, is reported. Using isotopically labelled substrates, products with a 13C label at either or both carbons of the alkyne unit can be produced.
Carbon-free analogues of metallocene with homoleptic arsenic or antimony ligands have remained experimentally elusive, especially analogues of higher nuclearity. Now, sandwich-type clusters containing three-dimensional icosahedral metal centres and As5– or Sb5– ligands have been synthesized.
Single-molecule nanotubes assemble efficiently by linking two penta-aldehyde macrocycles and five phenylenediamine linkers though dynamic covalent imine bonds. These covalent organic pillars, with 2-nm-long and 4.7-Å-wide helical interior channels, show highly selective binding for linear n-alkyl guests with complementary lengths and electronic densities.
Electrosynthesis of multicarbon products from CO2 is restricted by the proton-rich conditions in strong acids leading to unfavourable hydrogen evolution. Now a heterogeneous catalyst adlayer composed of covalent organic framework nanoparticles and cation-exchange ionomers is reported to regulate the local pH, suppressing H2 generation and promoting multicarbon formation.
Manipulating the properties of polymeric thin films independent of their chemistry is challenging. Now, a vapour solvation strategy is introduced to achieve targeted properties, including molecular weight, mechanical strength and film morphology, without the need for chemical modification.
The incorporation of multiple carbon labels into drug candidates is a difficult synthetic challenge. Here an operationally simple method for the preparation of multi-carbon-labelled isotopologues of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other bioactive molecules, through a combined catalytic three-gas surrogate hydroformylation strategy, is reported.
Carbyne anions are under explored and poorly understood, owing to their isolation being unknown. Now, the synthesis and isolation of copper phosphinocarbyne anion complexes are reported. Displaying the reactivity of a carbyne anion, these complexes provide access to singlet carbenes, alkenes and ethenimines.
Site-selective cross- and homo-hydrodimerization of terminal alkyl alkenes is a synthetic challenge. Now, a nickel-catalysed redox cross- and homo-hydrodimerization process is reported, providing selective access to linear alkyl–alkyl coupled products. Branched dimers can be formed by removing co-oxidant CuBr2 from the reaction mixture.
Enantioselectivity prediction in asymmetric catalysis is a long-standing challenge in synthetic chemistry. Now, a data-driven workflow is designed to implement transition state knowledge in machine learning, enabling accurate enantioselectivity prediction of asymmetric pallada-electrocatalysed C–H activation reactions. Model interpretation provides insight into the effect of olefins on the enantioselectivity determination.
Templated synthesis is a valuable method for the preparation of oligomers but requires stoichiometric amounts of the template. Here a catalytic macrocyclic template is reported that promotes the oligomerization of a small-molecule substrate and controls its length. The length of the oligomer correlates with the dimensions of the template.
The synthesis of benzylic carbocations bearing meta-hydroxyl substituents is difficult due to their lack of resonance stabilization. Now, a catalytic enantioselective reaction between meta-hydroxyl triarylmethanols and indoles, proceeding through a meta-hydroxyl triarylmethyl cation, is reported. A range of chiral tetraarylmethanes with anticancer activity are prepared.
The synthesis of aryl C-glycosides often requires manipulation of protecting groups. Here a general method to prepare aryl C-glycosides from unprotected and stable starting materials has been achieved by photoredox, Ni-catalysed cross-coupling. The protocol was also applied in the synthesis of several sugar–drug conjugates and gliflozin drug molecules.
Controlling metal co-reduction is challenging when synthesizing alloy nanocrystals. Here, an active-hydrogen-involved interfacial reduction strategy is developed, which can overcome the reduction potential differences between metals, leading to efficient co-reduction.
The synthesis of interlocking molecular [n]catenanes of organic polyhedra (n = 2–3) and rings (n = 2–130) is established; however, the analogous chemistry of infinite 3D structures remains undeveloped. Now, reticular chemistry enables the synthesis of crystalline [∞]catenane covalent organic frameworks constructed from interlocking organic polyhedra.
The development of gold catalysis is restricted by its high redox potential, and the introduction of strong oxidants to overcome this is accompanied by poor functional group compatibility. Here electrochemical oxidation is used to control gold valence changes, showing excellent compatibility with a wide range of active functional groups and bio-additives.
Synthesizing Se-based nanocrystals with large diameters remains challenging. Here, a reactivity-controlled epitaxial growth strategy was demonstrated to synthesize nanocrystals of ZnSe, CdSe and PbSe with average diameters of 35 nm, 76 nm and 87 nm, respectively. The large ZnSe nanocrystals emitted pure blue light, which is important for display technology.
The synthesis of catharanthine, the direct precursor of anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, is challenging due to its structural complexity. Here synthetic biology enables the construction of a Pichia pastoris cell factory for the biosynthesis and potentially scalable production of catharanthine from simple carbon sources.
