Featured
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RNAs undergo phase transitions with lower critical solution temperatures
The physicochemical driving forces of protein-free, RNA-driven phase transitions were previously unclear, but it is now shown that RNAs undergo entropically driven liquid–liquid phase separation upon heating in the presence of magnesium ions. In the condensed phase, RNAs can undergo an enthalpically favourable percolation transition that leads to arrested condensates.
- Gable M. Wadsworth
- , Walter J. Zahurancik
- & Priya R. Banerjee
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Using waste poly(vinyl chloride) to synthesize chloroarenes by plasticizer-mediated electro(de)chlorination
The facile release of corrosive HCl gas and plasticizers from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) makes it a challenging material to recycle. Now, it has been shown that PVC waste can be directly used as a halogen source to synthesize chloroarenes. This paired electro(de)chlorination is mediated by a phthalate plasticizer already contained in PVC waste.
- Danielle E. Fagnani
- , Dukhan Kim
- & Anne J. McNeil
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Iron-catalysed synthesis and chemical recycling of telechelic 1,3-enchained oligocyclobutanes
Iron-catalysed [2+2] cycloaddition/oligomerization of neat butadiene affords
(1,n′-divinyl)oligocyclobutane —a telechelic, crystalline material consisting of 1,3-enchained cyclobutyl units. This oligocyclobutane can be chemically recycled to pure butadiene using the same iron catalyst employed in its synthesis, demonstrating design principles for next-generation plastic materials that can be returned to pristine monomer.- Megan Mohadjer Beromi
- , C. Rose Kennedy
- & Paul J. Chirik
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Mechanochemical synthesis of an elusive fluorinated polyacetylene
Fluorinated polyacetylene has typically proven to be inaccessible using traditional polymer synthesis, but there is much interest in its predicted properties. Now, a mechanochemical unzipping strategy has succeeded in the synthesis of a gold-coloured, semiconducting fluorinated polyacetylene with improved stability in air compared to polyacetylene.
- Benjamin R. Boswell
- , Carl M. F. Mansson
- & Noah Z. Burns
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Review Article |
The synthesis, properties and potential applications of cyclic polymers
Cyclic polymers have a ring-like architecture and one of the most important consequences of this topology is the absence of any chain ends, which typically have a substantial impact on the physical properties of macromolecules. This Review Article discusses advances in the synthesis, purification and characterization of cyclic polymers and the potential applications they may prove useful for.
- Farihah M. Haque
- & Scott M. Grayson
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Article |
Main-chain metallopolymers at the static–dynamic boundary based on nickelocene
Main-chain polymetallocenes are typically static in nature due to strong metal–ligand bonding. Now, it has been shown that such polymers based on nickelocene are dynamic due to weaker nickel–cyclopentadienyl interactions, and at low concentration or at elevated temperature, depolymerization to the moderately strained monomer occurs.
- Rebecca A. Musgrave
- , Andrew D. Russell
- & Ian Manners
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Photoswitching of glass transition temperatures of azobenzene-containing polymers induces reversible solid-to-liquid transitions
Reversibly inducing solid-to-liquid transitions of polymers at room temperature represents a challenge for enhanced processability and applications of polymers. Now, three azopolymers have been shown to exhibit photoswitchable glass transition temperatures, resulting in reversible solid-to-liquid transitions. Light exposure can heal cracks in hard azopolymers, reduce surface roughness of azopolymer films and control azopolymer adhesion.
- Hongwei Zhou
- , Changguo Xue
- & Si Wu
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Iterative exponential growth of stereo- and sequence-controlled polymers
Regioselective epoxide opening of an enantiopure epoxy–alkyne results in the stereospecific introduction of functional side-chains into growing macromolecules. This process—in combination with 'click' chemistry and orthogonal deprotection of terminal alkynes—underpins an iterative exponential growth methodology that enables the efficient synthesis of >6-kDa stereo- and sequence-controlled polymers.
- Jonathan C. Barnes
- , Deborah J. C. Ehrlich
- & Jeremiah A. Johnson
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Mechanically triggered heterolytic unzipping of a low-ceiling-temperature polymer
Strong acoustic fields applied to solutions of linear polymers typically result in mid-chain scission, yielding products half the molecular weight of the original. Now it has been shown that poly(o-phthalaldehyde), a polymer with a ceiling temperature below room temperature, undergoes chain scission and subsequent depolymerization to monomers. Introduction of an appropriate initiator to the monomer regenerates poly(o-phthaladehyde) macromolecules.
- Charles E. Diesendruck
- , Gregory I. Peterson
- & Jeffrey S. Moore
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News & Views |
Packing polymers in protein cages
The combination of addressable synthetic macromolecules with proteins of precise structure and function often leads to materials with unique properties, as is now shown by the efficient multi-site initiation of polymer growth inside the cavity of a virus capsid.
- Jeroen J. L. M. Cornelissen
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News & Views |
Polymers stripped down
Two-dimensional polymers can serve to organize chemical functionality periodically over large areas, but their rational synthesis has remained limited. Now, a free-standing, single-layer polymer sheet has been prepared and isolated through a two-step procedure — a photochemical reaction within a layered organic crystal followed by exfoliation.
- Fernando J. Uribe-Romo
- & William R. Dichtel