Reaction kinetics and dynamics articles from across Nature Portfolio

Reaction kinetics and dynamics refers to the study of why, how and how fast chemical processes take place. Chemists seek to understand the details of change at the molecular and quantum level and how such reactivity can be affected, pushing the boundaries of technology and theory to do so.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
18 May 2023 | Open Access

Rehybridization dynamics into the pericyclic minimum of an electrocyclic reaction imaged in real-time

Electrocyclic reactions proceed through critical geometries, which are known as pericyclic transition states in thermal reactions and pericyclic minima in photochemical reactions. Here, the authors image the structure of a pericyclic minimum in real time using a combination of ultrafast electron diffraction and ab initio dynamics simulations.
- Y. Liu
- , D. M. Sanchez
- & T. J. A. Wolf
Nature Communications 14, 2795
Research
05 May 2023 | Open Access

Ferricyanide photo-aquation pathway revealed by combined femtosecond Kβ main line and valence-to-core x-ray emission spectroscopy

Reliably identifying transient intermediates is crucial to elucidate chemical reaction mechanisms. Here, the authors use femtosecond Fe Kβ main line and valence-to-core x-ray emission spectroscopy to characterize a short-lived intermediate of the aqueous ferricyanide photo-aquation reaction.
- Marco Reinhard
- , Alessandro Gallo
- & Dimosthenis Sokaras
Nature Communications 14, 2443
Research
02 May 2023 | Open Access

Dynamic evolution of the active center driven by hemilabile coordination in Cu/CeO₂ single-atom catalyst

This work explores the concept of hemilability in single atom catalysts. The results imply that this effect can promote reactant activation and product desorption simultaneously to provide a potential approach to circumvent the Sabatier volcano.
- Zheng Chen
- , Zhangyun Liu
- & Xin Xu
Nature Communications 14, 2512
Research | 29 March 2023

Tracking cubic ice at molecular resolution

Tracking the formation of cubic ice (ice Ic) using transmission electron microscopy and low-dose imaging shows preferential nucleation of ice Ic at low-temperature interfaces and two types of stacking disorder.
- Xudan Huang
- , Lifen Wang
- & Xuedong Bai
Nature 617, 86-91
Research
20 March 2023 | Open Access

Comprehensive exploration of graphically defined reaction spaces
- Qiyuan Zhao
- , Sai Mahit Vaddadi
- & Brett M. Savoie
Scientific Data 10, 145
Research
18 March 2023 | Open Access

Gas phase synthesis of the C40 nano bowl C₄₀H₁₀

Nanobowls represent building blocks of fullerenes and nanotubes as detected in combustion systems and deep space, but their formation mechanisms in these environments have remained elusive. Here, the authors explore the gas-phase formation of benzocorannulene and beyond to the C₄₀ nanobowl.
- Lotefa B. Tuli
- , Shane J. Goettl
- & Ralf I. Kaiser
Nature Communications 14, 1527

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News and Comment

Research Highlights | 26 May 2023

A glass of half and half

A highly stable glass has been prepared by the physical vapour deposition of two materials in equal amounts.
- Alexander Rosu-Finsen
Nature Reviews Chemistry, 1
Research Highlights | 24 March 2023

Nucleating nanoparticles

A gold nanoparticle colloidal system is used to explore the effect of nanoparticle–substrate interactions on heterogeneous nucleation, providing a simple model for a complex and poorly understood physical process.
- Hannah Hatcher
Nature Reviews Chemistry 7, 231
Research Highlights | 16 March 2023

Accounting for quantum effects in catalysis
- Kaitlin McCardle
Nature Computational Science 3, 189
Research Highlights | 27 February 2023

Advancing organic reaction discovery
- Kaitlin McCardle
Nature Computational Science 3, 119
News & Views | 28 July 2022

Enantioconvergent synthesis of P-stereogenic allenylphosphines

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.

Nature Synthesis 1, 680-681
Research Highlights | 27 June 2022

Icy reactors break down microplastics

An article in Angewandte Chemie International Edition finds that a frozen environment can accelerate the degradation of microplastics.
- Ariane Vartanian
Nature Reviews Materials 7, 502

All News & Comment

Reaction kinetics and dynamics articles from across Nature Portfolio

Latest Research and Reviews

Rehybridization dynamics into the pericyclic minimum of an electrocyclic reaction imaged in real-time

Ferricyanide photo-aquation pathway revealed by combined femtosecond Kβ main line and valence-to-core x-ray emission spectroscopy

Dynamic evolution of the active center driven by hemilabile coordination in Cu/CeO₂ single-atom catalyst

Tracking cubic ice at molecular resolution

Comprehensive exploration of graphically defined reaction spaces

Gas phase synthesis of the C40 nano bowl C₄₀H₁₀

News and Comment

A glass of half and half

Nucleating nanoparticles

Accounting for quantum effects in catalysis

Advancing organic reaction discovery

Enantioconvergent synthesis of P-stereogenic allenylphosphines

Icy reactors break down microplastics

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