Volume 2 Issue 10, October 2023

The activation of a Si–Si bond and its subsequent trans-addition across an alkyne substrate is a challenge. Now, a Pd-catalysed process for the trans-bis-silylation of terminal alkynes is reported, using a quinoline-substituted disilane reagent.

Cation exchange reactions convert ionic nanocrystals into new compositions through the substitution of cations. Now, a cation exchange reaction has been demonstrated on a Cu₂Se nanocluster with a uniform arrangement of atoms.

The conversion of CO₂ into complex molecules by genetically enhanced microorganisms is desirable but challenging. Now, a two-stage strategy featuring carbon sequestration, using the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus, and cellular catalysis, using Escherichia coli, is reported for the synthesis of value-added molecules from CO₂.

Nearly all phosphorus-containing chemicals are prepared from phosphate ores via hazardous, energy-intensive, multi-step procedures that feature toxic, pyrophoric white phosphorus (P₄) as an intermediate. Using a different approach, many of these products can be prepared from phosphates in two simple steps free from P₄.

Supramolecular assemblies of peptides with differing morphologies and properties are formed by varying the synthetic route to the fibrous assemblies.

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.

Polymetallic rings are formed via the collision-induced dissociation of larger complexes. Ion mobility mass spectrometry can be used to determine whether the formed polymetallic complexes are cyclic or acyclic.

trans-Bis-silylation of alkynes is underdeveloped compared with cis-bis-silylation. Now, a Pd-catalysed method for the trans-bis-silylation of terminal alkynes is reported using disilane reagent 8-(2-substituted 1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilanyl)quinoline to selectively form trans-bis-silylated alkenes. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction probably proceeds through a combined cis-bis-silylation and Z/E isomerization process.

By combining coordination, cluster and colloidal chemistry, precision synthesis is realized in cation-exchange reactions of nanoclusters (Cu₂Se to CdSe). The precise transformation unveils the origin of chirality and polarity in semiconductor nanomaterials and enables atomic visualization of complex reaction mechanisms.

Carbon-negative biomanufacturing is typically hampered by narrow product scope and light-induced decomposition. Now, an integrated photosynthetic carbon sequestration and cellular catalysis strategy for CO₂ valorization are reported. Multiple gene editing and a high-throughput workflow have facilitated its application to the biocatalytic production of styrene, intracellular unstable aldehydes and photosensitive molecules from CO₂.

The synthesis of phosphorous compounds in the 5+ oxidation state typically relies on energy-consuming processes using white phosphorus (P₄). Now, a simple approach that cleaves P–O bonds in ubiquitous P^V sources to form a PO₂⁺ phosphorylation agent enables the redox-neutral synthesis of various P^V chemicals.

Nature uses complex supramolecular reaction networks to regulate structure formation. Now, by creating a photolytic reaction cascade with competing redox pathways, different hierarchical assemblies can be tailored based on a single molecular identity.

Polyoxoniobate (PONb) clusters are ideal candidates for synthesizing 2D clusterphenes but niobate reactivity is low. Now, 2D hexagonal PONb-clusterphenes have been prepared through a wet-chemical synthesis at ambient conditions, providing atomically precise models for examination of cluster electronic structures.

Cross-coupling reactions are among the most widely used synthetic methods in medicinal chemistry; however, they typically form bonds with C(sp²)-hybridized atoms. The resulting molecules often have suboptimal physicochemical and topological properties. Here virtual and experimental libraries of products from benzylic C(sp³)–H cross-coupling are shown to access underpopulated 3D chemical space.