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Exponential signal amplification is achieved when a single molecule of analyte initiates a chain reaction in which a dendrimer releases a coloured 'reporter' molecule, and ultimately four further molecules of the analyte.
In a Dutch city famous for the treaty that led to the creation of the European Union, delegates gathered at a conference to discuss recent advances in the chemistry of macrocyclic and supramolecular systems.
The 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry will soon be awarded amid the usual speculation, angst, disagreement and elation — but is it really worth all the fuss?
The unfolding of a mechanically weaker protein domain can be inhibited by inserting it into a stronger domain, creating the possibility of forming multifunctional elastomeric proteins.
A 19F magnetic resonance imaging signal from a protein-specific binding agent can be used to detect the presence of the target protein in live cells. The signal is switched off in the absence of target protein due to aggregation of the probe into nanoclusters.
Improvements in the activity and stability of catalysts for oxygen reduction reactions are needed to make low-temperature, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cells viable for mobile applications. Pt3Sc and Pt3Y are shown experimentally to have greater catalytic activity than pure Pt after being identified through computational investigation of Pt- and Pd-based alloys.
Compounds containing dioxygen bonded to metal atoms – such as metal-peroxo or -superoxo species – are models of enzymes that can activate oxygen. Now a mononuclear side-on nickel(III)-peroxo complex has been made, which is stabilized by a macrocyclic ligand. The complex can transfer the bound dioxygen to another metal, and conduct nucleophilic reactions.
Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) is a powerful and highly functional-group-tolerant technique for synthesizing polymers. However, this tolerance presents a great challenge for the selective introduction of functional end-groups. This Review discusses currently available end-functionalization strategies and also highlights factors to be considered when choosing the most appropriate approach.
Transition metals can form extremely short bonds with very high bond orders. Bimetallic chromium complexes are the best-known examples, and quintuple bonds have been reported. This Review covers recent developments in the synthesis and theoretical description of quintuply bonded transition metal coordination compounds.
The cycloaddition of N-metalated azomethine ylides to C60 can result in the formation of a number of different stereoisomeric products. Now, it has been shown that the stereochemical outcome of this reaction can be controlled by carefully choosing the the correct combination of metal and ligand to form the complex that catalyses this process.
Industrial chemicals can pose serious health risks in the workplace, and monitoring them is of vital importance. Researchers now show that an optoelectronic nose based on a colorimetric sensor array of nanoporous pigments can rapidly identify a wide range of toxic gases at their IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) concentrations.
The synthesis and X-ray crystallography of a series of polyynes show that single and triple bonds become closer in length as the system is extended — but also that they will never become equal.
Molecular logic gates that respond to the presence of a protein and a bacterial DNA sequence show how molecular systems could be used for medical diagnostics.
