Volume 1 Issue 9, September 2022

Heteroepitaxial growth of single-crystal films typically requires stringent matching of the specific lattice ordering with the underlying substrate. Now, amorphous MoTe₂ thin films are shown to transform into wafer-scale 2D single-crystals through seeded growth on the surface of any arbitrary substrate.

Making chiral molecules by C–H bond activation using inexpensive, earth-abundant metal catalysts is challenging. Now, a cobalt salt combined with a salicyl-oxazoline ligand enables a C–H activation and annulation process and the introduction of axial chirality around a C–N bond.

Dual-atom catalysts show potential for complex reactions, but their controllable preparation is challenging. A method to transform a Ni nanoparticle into a Ni₂N₆ dual-atom structure on a carbon support yields a catalyst with precisely controlled atomic site distances, giving excellent performance for CO₂ electroreduction.

Targeting 2D heterolayers by vertically stacking chemically different layers is a synthetic challenge. A generic and effective approach for synthesizing heterolayered oxychalcogenides using molten hydroxides as unconventional reaction media is introduced. This approach enables the rapid stacking of oxide and chalcogenide layers with precise control of the composition.

A strategy to synthesize allenylphosphine derivatives with both P and axial chirality is developed and allows for diverse derivatizations of chiral phosphines. The Ni-catalysed enantioconvergent reaction occurs without racemization or symmetrization of the propargylic carbonate substrate, as demonstrated by combined experimental and computational methods.

Polar effects permeate radical chemistry and control the outcome of radical reactions. This Review discusses important types of polar effects and how their interplay has been used in the synthesis and late-stage modification of complex molecules. The discussion covers hydrogen-atom transfer, halogen-atom transfer and homolytic aromatic substitution.

[10]annulene derivatives are typically non-planar and non-aromatic, with aromatic planar variants suffering from kinetic instability. Now, the synthesis of a planar and aromatic dehydro[10]annulene featuring a fused cyclopropane and an internal alkyne is reported. The resulting hydrocarbon is bench stable and can be stored for extended periods of time.

The integration of two-dimensional semiconductors and arbitrary materials or architectures offers the possibility to enhance the functionality of a material and improve device performance. Now, a general synthesis route is reported for heteroepitaxial growth of semiconducting 2H-MoTe₂ films on arbitrary single-crystal substrates and three-dimensional architectures without the limitation of lattice matching and a planar surface.

Atroposelective synthesis of C–N axially chiral anilides typically requires preformed aromatic ring systems. Now, a cobalt-catalysed atroposelective C–H activation and annulation method to construct isoquinolinones from benzamides, with C–N axially chirality, is reported. Using a chiral salicyl-oxazoline ligand and O₂ as an oxidant, the method yields isoquinolines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities.

Dual-atom catalysts are promising for CO₂ reduction reactions; however, sluggish kinetics limit practical applications. Now, a Ni dual-atom catalyst has been synthesized, realizing efficient electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction with a CO partial current density of ~1 A cm² at >99% Faradaic efficiency.

Preparing two-dimensional heterolayers by vertically stacking chemically different layers with multiple anions remains challenging. Now, a general approach for the synthesis of heterolayered oxychalcogenides using molten hydroxides as unconventional solutions for the rapid stacking of oxide and chalcogenide layers with precise composition control is demonstrated.

The synthesis of P-stereogenic allenylphosphine derivatives is often long or requires preformed P-stereogenic substrates. Now, a one-step enantioconvergent synthesis of allenylphosphines with both P and axial chirality is reported. The process proceeds through a Ni^II-catalysed propargylic substitution of secondary phosphines, without racemization or symmetrization of the racemic propargylic carbonates, to give P-stereogenic allenylphosphines.