Synthesis of a finger-like MoS2@VS2 micro–nanocomposite with enhanced field emission performance

A MoS₂@VS₂ micro–nanocomposite showed enhanced field emission properties benefiting from the synergy of the two materials.

Fluorophoric [2]rotaxanes: post-synthetic functionalization, conformational fluxionality and metal ion chelation

Fluorophoric [2]rotaxanes form an exciplex upon interpenetration and the exciplex signals are used to monitor the chelation properties of the interlocked systems.

Mechanochemical synthesis, luminescent and magnetic properties of lanthanide benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate coordination polymers (Ln0.5Gd0.5)2 (1,4-BDC)3(H2O)4; Ln = Sm, Eu, Tb

Solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis yields MOFs with high luminescent and magnetic response.

Metal-free chemoselective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds via cathodic reduction

A straightforward protocol for efficient and highly selective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds via electrochemical reduction has been reported.

Modulating the thermomechanical properties and self-healing efficiency of siloxane-based soft polymers through metal–ligand coordination

An efficient strategy to modulate the thermomechanical properties and self-healing of soft polymers has been developed by rationally selecting the metal used for supramolecular crosslinking.

Global and local minima of protonated acetonitrile clusters

Potential energy surfaces of protonated acetonitrile clusters have been explored to locate global and local minima energy structures. The structures are stabilized by strong hydrogen bonds, anti-parallel dimers, dipole–dipole and CH⋯N interactions.

Preparation of a mechanically interlocked polymer from a linear supramolecular polymer

We transformed a linear supramolecular polymer into a mechanically interlocked polymer by photoisomerization.

Regorafenib analogues and their ferrocenic counterparts: synthesis and biological evaluation

New ferrocene analogues of regorafenib have been prepared and their biological activity was evaluated in kinase and cellular assays.

Engineering the morphology of hydrogen-bonded comb-shaped supramolecular polymers: from solution self-assembly to confined assembly

A library of nanostructures and multi-stage morphology transformation are realized by introducing a 3D confined assembly to hydrogen-bonded comb-shaped supramolecular polymer architectures.

Chemical synthesis of a haemathrin sulfoprotein library reveals enhanced thrombin inhibition following tyrosine sulfation

The synthesis and thrombin inhibitory activity of eight homogeneously sulfated variants of the haemathrin proteins from tick saliva is described.

Water–gas shift reaction co-catalyzed by polyoxometalate (POM)–gold composites: the “magic” role of POMs

We computationally investigated the WGSR mechanism on POM supported gold and revealed the role of POMs. A direct pathway by formation of COOH_ads from the co-adsorbed H₂O and CO is proposed.

Asymmetric organocatalytic double 1,6-addition: rapid access to chiral chromans with molecular complexity

We have developed a highly δ-selective organocatalytic asymmetric double 1,6-addition protocol by tethering ortho-hydroxyphenyl substituted p-QMs onto the linear unbiased 2,4-dienals towards the formation of synthetically enriched chiral chromans.

Gold-catalyzed domino cyclization to diverse polyheterocyclic frameworks: mechanism, origin of the cooperative hydrogen bond, and role of π-stacking interactions

The detailed mechanism and origins of gold-catalyzed domino cyclization to diverse fused polyheterocyclic frameworks by cooperative catalysis and cascade catalysis were studied systematically.

3D printing of polymeric materials based on photo-RAFT polymerization

For the first time, we report 3D printing of RAFT-based formulations to fabricate functional objects in a layer-by-layer fashion.

Mononuclear Fe in N-doped carbon: computational elucidation of active sites for electrochemical oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions

First principles simulations show that in Fe and N co-doped carbon, Fe coordination controls the activity for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions, and that including the electrostatic potential has a major influence at high potential.

The effect of vicinal di-halo substituents on the organogelling properties of aromatic supramolecular gelators and their application as soft templates

Vicinal di-halo substituents have a determinant effect on the supramolecular self-assembly and properties of aromatic physical gelators with application as soft templates.

Improving catalysis for electrochemical water splitting using a phosphosulphide surface

A yolk–shell-structured porous phosphosulphide catalyst exhibits superior activities towards the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions in water splitting in an alkaline electrolyte.

Direct remote δ-C(sp2)–H olefination of β-aryl-substituted aliphatic aldehydes via palladium/enamine co-catalysis

Palladium-catalyzed direct remote δ-C(sp²)–H olefination of β-aryl-substituted aliphatic aldehydes has been achieved using a catalytic amount of secondary amine (n-Bu)₂NH as a co-catalyst.

The mechanism and diastereoselectivity in the formation of trifluoromethyl-containing spiro[pyrrolidin-3,2′-oxindole] by a catalyst-free and mutually activated [3+2]-cycloaddition reaction: a theoretical study

The mechanism and diastereoselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between (Z)-1-methyl-3-imino-indolin-2-one and 5-nitro-2-vinylpyridine with no catalyst in acetonitrile have been investigated by the DFT method and SMD solvation model.

Novel liquid crystalline organogelators based on terephthalic acid and terephthalaldehyde derivatives: properties and promotion through the formation of halogen bonding

Terephthalic acid-based aromatic amides A1 and A2 and a terephthalaldehyde Schiff-base SB are synthesized, allowing stable gelation with numerous types of organic solvents.

A guide to supramolecular polymerizations

Supramolecular polymers are non-covalent assemblies of unimeric building blocks connected by secondary interactions and hold great promises due to their dynamic nature.

In situ growth of Fe and Nb co-doped β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheet arrays on nickel foam for an efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Fe, Nb co-doped β-Ni(OH)₂ electrode exhibited excellent OER performance with an overpotential of 294 mV at 100 mA cm⁻².

Interaction of carbon monoxide with doped metal clusters

Highlight of experimental and computational studies about the interaction of CO with transition and coinage metal clusters, particularly discussing the influence of dopant atoms.

The role of photocatalysts in radical chains in homolytic aromatic substitution, radical addition to olefins, and nucleophilic radical substitution mechanisms

Initiation, propagation and chain termination steps in oxidative and reductive quenching cycles for the photoinitiated perfluoroalkylation reaction of an olefin.

Electro- and photoelectro-catalysts derived from bimetallic amorphous metal–organic frameworks

It is developed a synthesis method for the design of new bimetallic amorphous MOFs. Such frameworks serve as precursors to prepare high-performance electro- and photoelectro-catalysts for ORR, OER and HER in both acidic and alkaline media.

Iron-catalyzed three-component intermolecular trifluoromethyl-acyloxylation of styrenes with NaSO2CF3 and benzoic acids

A new iron-catalyzed intermolecular three-component trifluoromethyl-acyloxylation of styrenes has been developed with a broad substrate scope under mild conditions.

Synthesis, characterization, and some properties of two types of new [Fe]-H2ase models containing a 4-phosphatopyridine or a 4-phosphatoguanosinepyridine moiety

The novel [Fe]-H₂ase active site framework-containing model 6 was first prepared and structurally characterized.

A new red fluorescent probe based on rosamine–phenothiazine for the highly selective and rapid detection of hypochlorite and its bioimaging in live cells

A new red fluorescent probe based on rosamine–phenothiazine for highly selective and rapid detection of hypochlorite and its bioimaging in live cells.

Stimuli-responsive luminochromic polymers consisting of multi-state emissive fused boron ketoiminate

Both thermochromic luminescence in solution and mechanochromic luminescence were each observed from conjugated polymers containing a fused boron complex.

Efficient methanol carbonylation to methyl acetate catalyzed by a cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene iridium complex

An efficient cyclic(alkyl)(amino) carbene iridium complex (C-2) was developed for methanol carbonylation to methyl acetate (MA) directly.

Reductant composition influences the coordination of atomically dispersed Rh on anatase TiO2

Distinct local environments for atomically dispersed Rh species on anatase TiO₂ result from reduction treatments under CO and H₂.

Fabrication of Cu(ii) based halobenzoate appended ladder polymers with efficient charge transport properties

Two novel 1D Cu(ii) CPs based on halo-substituted benzoate ligands together with an N-donor bpe spacer ligand exhibit high electrical conductivity and reveal Schottky diode behaviour.

Sulfur-directed palladium-catalyzed C(sp3)–H α-arylation of 3-pyrrolines: easy access to diverse polysubstituted pyrrolidines

A sulfur-directed palladium-catalyzed C(sp³)–H α-arylation of 3-pyrrolines with arylboronic acids has been disclosed, providing a range of 2-aryl-3-pyrolines, which could be readily converted to various polysubstituted pyrrolidines.

Symmetry controlled photo-selection and charge separation in butadiyne-bridged donor–bridge–acceptor compounds

Electron transfer (ET) in donor–bridge–acceptor (DBA) compounds featuring alkyne bridges depends strongly on the torsion angle between the donor and acceptor.

Cold and controlled chemical reaction dynamics

State-to-state chemical reaction dynamics, with complete control over the reaction parameters, offers unparalleled insight into fundamental reactivity.

Facile addition of E–H bonds to a dicarbondiphosphide

Charge transfer at P atoms in an N-heterocyclic carbene stabilized 6π-electron aromatic dicarbondiphosphide 1 has been observed upon interaction with a variety of small molecule substrates that feature a polar E–H bond (E = C, N, and O).

Probing the electronic boundaries between trigonal and tetrahedral coordination at beryllium

The influence of the beryllium atom's partial charge on its coordination sphere was investigated experimentally and computationally on NEt₃ adducts to BeCl₂, BeBr₂ and BrI₂.

CO, NO, and SO adsorption on Ni nanoclusters: a DFT investigation

Nickel nanoclusters are very promising for catalysis-related applications, especially involving chemical reactions with polluting molecules, such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur monoxides, which are directly or indirectly involved in serious environmental pollution problems. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to improve the understanding of the interaction between Ni nanoclusters and diatomic molecules, such as CO, NO, and SO, to provide insights into real subnano catalysts. Thus, here, we report an ab initio investigation based on density functional theory calculations within van der Waals D3 corrections to investigate the adsorption properties of CO, NO, and SO on Ni nanoclusters. From energetic and electronic criteria applied to Nin nanoclusters (n = 2-15), we selected Ni6 (octahedron) and Ni10 (triangular pyramid) nanoclusters as supports. According to our analyses, the molecular adsorption increases the stability of Ni nanoclusters, especially for Ni6 systems. The interaction intensity is larger for SO than for NO and CO in adsorbed systems, and the strong OS-Ni interaction is responsible for the well-known sulfur poisoning on transition-metal systems. The lowest energy adsorption sites are onefold for CO/Ni6, NO/Ni6, and CO/Ni10; twofold for NO/Ni10; and threefold for SO/Ni6 and CO/Ni10, where CO and NO molecules sustain linear and perpendicular geometries, while SO geometry changes to a bent configuration resulting from a sideways adsorption. The equilibrium bond lengths of the molecules expand upon adsorption, from 0.9% (NO/Ni6/10) to 11.3% (SO/Ni6/10), consequently, the internal molecular bond strengths decrease, since there is a reduction in the molecular stretching frequencies. This result occurs most strongly for SO followed by NO and CO systems, which was confirmed by an estimation of the energetic contribution of the distortion after the adsorption process. Thus, the strong S-Ni interaction, given by SO chemisorption on hollow sites with a sideways interaction, implies an energetic decrease and, consequently, a part of the energy gained from the SO-Ni interaction is from the SO and nanocluster distortions. Ultimately, using the energy decomposition analysis (from SAPT0) for XO/Ni6 systems, we improved the understanding of the CO and NO (SO) singlet (doublet) spin multiplicities' interaction with Ni6 nanoclusters.

Hysteresis in the gas sorption isotherms of metal–organic cages accompanied by subtle changes in molecular packing

Cooperative gas uptake in metal–organic cages is tuned using supramolecular chemistry.

1,6-Conjugate addition initiated formal [4+2] annulation of p-quinone methides with sulfonyl allenols: a unique access to spiro[5.5]undeca-1,4-dien-3-one scaffolds

An expedient one-pot synthesis of carbocyclic spiro[5.5]undeca-1,4-dien-3-ones via 1,6-conjugate addition initiated formal [4+2] annulation sequences by employing p-quinone methides and sulfonyl allenols.

Transition metal dichalcogenide/multi-walled carbon nanotube-based fibers as flexible electrodes for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Fabrication of binder-free, flexible, and weavable transition metal dichalcogenide nanosheet-based hybrid fibers for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Theoretical screening of single atoms anchored on defective graphene for electrocatalytic N2 reduction reactions: a DFT study

The reduction of molecular dinitrogen (N₂) to ammonia (NH₃) under mild conditions is attractive due to the wide application of ammonia.

A method to predict both the relaxation time of quantum tunneling of magnetization and the effective barrier of magnetic reversal for a Kramers single-ion magnet

A method to predict the relaxation time of quantum tunneling of magnetization and the magnetic reversal barrier with efficiency and reliability.

A spherical covalent-organic framework for enhancing laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for small molecule detection

A spherical vinyl-functionalized covalent-organic framework (COF-V) was prepared at room temperature by a facile method and applied as a novel substrate for surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SELDI-MS).

Influence of an external electric field on the deprotonation reactions of an Fe3+-solvated molecule: a reactive molecular dynamics study

An EEF can promote deprotonation reactions of Fe³⁺using associated methods of MD simulations and experiments.

Selective formation of molecular junctions with high and low conductance states by tuning the velocity of electrode displacement

A single-molecule junction of 1,4-di(4-pyridyl)benzene (DPB) was prepared in a nano-gap between two Au electrodes using the scanning tunnelling microscopy-based break junction method (STM-BJ).

Polynuclear organometallic clusters: synthesis, structure, and reactivity studies

This feature article highlights our recent advances in the controllable synthesis of carbon-centered polynuclear organometallic clusters: from synthesis to transformation, reactivity and mechanism.

Thioether complexes of WSCl4, WOCl4 and WSCl3 and evaluation of thiochloride complexes as CVD precursors for WS2 thin films

Thioether complexes of WECl₄ and WECl₃ (E = S, O) are prepared and characterised; the dinuclear [(WSCl₄)₂{ⁱPrS(CH₂)₂SⁱPr}] is shown to be an effective single source precursor for low pressure CVD of WS₂ thin films.

Redox-active ligand assisted electrocatalytic water oxidation by a mononuclear cobalt complex

A cobalt complex bearing a redox-active monoanionic amidate ligand is shown to act as an efficient molecular electrocatalyst for water oxidation at a moderate overpotential (∼500 mV) in mildly alkaline medium.

Ir-catalyzed selective dehydrogenative cross-coupling of aryls with o-carboranes via a mixed directing-group strategy

Ir-catalyzed highly selective B–H/C–H cross dehydrogenative coupling between o-carboranes and (hetero)aryls has been achieved using a mixed directing-group strategy.