Volume 2 Issue 2, February 2023

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) can increase atom efficiency and show remarkable catalytic performance compared with their bulk analogues; however, direct fabrication in high yield is challenging. Now, a 3D printing approach realizes the controlled and precise synthesis of SACs with desired geometries.

Synthesis of chiral aryl–alkene bond axes is a challenge owing to axial instability and specific substrate requirements. Now, arylboration of alkynes by sequentially using two catalysts yields axially chiral alkenylboronates with excellent stereocontrol.

Nanoscale heterostructures are promising for applications in energy and information conversion. Now, a competitive ion-exchange method in which multiple ions diffuse in and out of colloidal nanocrystals provides a route to rapidly synthesize heterostructures on the nanoscale.

Conventional synthesis of noble/non-noble metal alloy nanocrystals lacks control over metal co-reduction. An interfacial co-reduction strategy involving active hydrogen is developed that overcomes the difference in the reduction potential of the metals to enable the controlled synthesis of alloy nanostructures with precise and broadly tunable compositions.

Reductive anti-1,2-dimetallation of alkynes proceeds through the use of sodium dispersion as a reducing agent and an organomagnesium or organoaluminum halide as a reduction-resistant electrophile. The reaction stereoselectively generates trans-1,2-dimagnesio- or 1,2-dialuminoalkenes, which show useful reactivity.

Preventing metal deposition by cathodic reduction is a formidable challenge during transition-metal-catalysed electrosynthesis under direct current (d.c.) electrolysis. Now, an asymmetric-waveform alternating current (a.c.) electrolysis protocol is developed for Ag-catalysed C–H phosphorylation. The a.c.-based approach regenerates the Ag catalyst and maintains a dynamic balance of catalyst loading.

Synthesis can be used to harness excited states and molecular functional materials. Supramolecular chemistry can provide an additional dimension of control to the excited states and expand the library of excited-state functional materials.

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.

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.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are attractive for a variety of applications but their synthesis remains challenging. Now, a scalable and economical 3D-printing approach has been developed for producing libraries of SACs using a variety of metals, coordination environments and spatial geometries.

A combined copper- and palladium-catalysed atropselective arylboration of alkynes is reported. This method uses B₂pin₂ and sterically hindered aryl bromides for the stereoselective and regioselective synthesis of axially chiral tetrasubstituted alkenylboronates. Mechanistic studies reveal that the stereocontrol originates from a higher-order palladium intermediate.

The targeted synthesis of heterostructured nanomaterials is required to meet the need of various applications, and the rational design of such nanomaterials is crucial. Now, cation exchange reactions have been designed to maximize product diversity for combinatorial heterostructure discovery. Synthetic guidelines are outlined, translating microscopic observations into high-yield samples.

Stereodefined 1,2-dimetallated alkenes are underexplored in organic synthesis due to their relatively low stability. Now, the reductive anti-1,2-dimetallation of alkynes provides access to trans-1,2-dimagnesio- and 1,2-dialuminoalkenes. The process uses sodium dispersion as a reducing agent with organomagnesium and organoaluminium halides as reduction-resistant electrophiles.

Preventing metal deposition by cathodic reduction under direct current electrolysis conditions is a formidable challenge in transition-metal-catalysed electrosynthesis. Now, an asymmetric-waveform alternating current (a.c.) electrolysis approach is developed for silver-catalysed C–H phosphorylation where this a.c.-based approach regenerates the silver catalyst and keeps the catalyst loading balanced during the reaction.

A versatile solar-driven hybrid photoelectrochemical platform has been developed for the simultaneous conversion of greenhouse gas CO₂ and waste plastics into value-added fuels and chemicals with high efficiency and selectivity.