Cover Picture: Recoding the Genetic Code with Selenocysteine (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1/2014)

An intuitional hierarchical assembly of cluster–organic frameworks with a thickness of 1.97 nm from a discrete Co14 cluster

An intuitional hierarchical assembly, metaphorically referred to as a “blossom and yield fruit” process, from a discrete cluster {[Co₁₄(CH₃O)₄(dpbt)₆Cl₁₂]·14CH₃OH, (1)} to 2D cluster organic frameworks {[Co₁₄(CH₃O)₁₀(dpbt)₆ Cl₆]·12CH₃OH, (2)}, has been established.

Phosphole-based ligands in catalysis

This review provides an overview of phosphole-based ligand families (monophospholes, multidentate hybrid phosphole ligands, diphosphole and 2,2′-biphosphole-based ligands) and their potential in metal- and organo-catalyzed reactions (asymmetric reactions included).

Can the thermal expansion be controlled by varying the hydrogen bond dimensionality in polymorphs?

A higher dimensional (1-D) hydrogen bonded form shows smaller thermal expansion than a lower dimensional (0-D) hydrogen bonded form of 2-butynoic acid.

A long-life Na–air battery based on a soluble NaI catalyst

A Na–air battery with NaI dissolved in a typical organic electrolyte can run up to 150 cycles.

Noble metal-free hydrogen evolution catalysts for water splitting

This review summarizes the recent research efforts toward noble metal-free hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts.

Solid lithium electrolytes based on an organic molecular porous solid

A new type of thermally stable solid Li electrolytes prepared via incorporation of Li⁺ ions into porous cucurbit[6]uril (PCB[6]) exhibits high Li⁺ ion conductivity and mobility.

Comparative study on sandwich-structured SiO2@Ag@SnO2 and inverse SiO2@SnO2@Ag: key roles of shell ordering and interfacial contact in modulating the photocatalytic properties

Sandwich-structured SiO₂@Ag@SnO₂ and inverse SiO₂@SnO₂@Ag using SiO₂ spheres as cores have been systematically synthesized through hydrothermal treatment.

Inorganic microcapsules mineralized at the interface of water droplets in ethanol solution and their application as drug carriers

A crystallization – dissolution – interface mineralization (CDIM) method was reported to synthesize pH biocompatible and sensitive calcium carbonate (CaC) and calcium phosphate (CaP) inorganic microcapsules with potential on drug delivery.

Functionalization of cyclometalated iridium(iii) polypyridine complexes for the design of intracellular sensors, organelle-targeting imaging reagents, and metallodrugs

We summarize the biological applications of selected organometallic iridium(iii) complexes as intracellular sensors, organelle-targeting imaging reagents, and metallodrugs.

The role of iron in the preparation and oxygen reduction reaction activity of nitrogen-doped carbon

The exact role of iron in catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction in both alkaline and acidic media is portrayed with unique platelet ordered mesoporous carbon prepared using Fe-phthalocyanine as iron, nitrogen and carbon sources.

Cascade catalysis – strategies and challenges en route to preparative synthetic biology

In this feature article recent progress and future perspectives of cascade catalysis combining bio/bio or bio/chemo catalysts are presented.

Highly enantioselective synthesis of naphthoquinones and pyranonaphthoquinones catalyzed by bifunctional chiral bis-squaramides

A variety of enantioenriched naphthoquinones has been synthesized in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) using a bifunctional chiral bis-squaramide catalyzed conjugate addition of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to 2-enoylpyridines.

Synthesis of nanostructured clean surface molybdenum carbides on graphene sheets as efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts

Small size molybdenum carbides (2.5 nm for MoC and 5.0 nm for Mo₂C) with clean surface on graphene were prepared for efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts.

Ultrafast liquid water transport through graphene-based nanochannels measured by isotope labelling

Liquid water can afford an ultrafast permeation through graphene-based nanochannels under no external hydrostatic pressure.

Vis/NIR light driven mild and clean synthesis of disulfides in the presence of Cu2(OH)PO4 under aerobic conditions

A highly efficient one-pot strategy has been developed for the synthesis of disulfide in the presence of air under the irradiation of Vis/NIR light.

Dual amplifying fluorescence anisotropy for detection of respiratory syncytial virus DNA fragments with size-control synthesized metal–organic framework MIL-101

Nanosized MIL-101 with negligible scattered light, synthesized by the addition of glycerol, was used to amplify FA for the detection of DNA with a dual amplification effect.

Synthesis of poly(stearyl methacrylate-b-3-phenylpropyl methacrylate) nanoparticles in n-octane and associated thermoreversible polymorphism

Poly(stearyl methacrylate) with average degrees of polymerization ranging from 18–30 were prepared by RAFT radical polymerization and then employed as macro-chain transfer agents in RAFT dispersion formulations with 3-phenylpropyl methacrylate as the comonomer.

An anion-exchange strategy for 3D hierarchical (BiO)2CO3/amorphous Bi2S3 heterostructures with increased solar absorption and enhanced visible light photocatalysis

A facile and novel anion-exchange strategy was developed for 3D hierarchical (BiO)₂CO₃/amorphous Bi₂S₃ heterostructures with highly enhanced visible light photocatalysis.

Uniform anatase single-crystal cubes with high thermal stability fully enclosed by active {010} and {001} facets

Uniform cubic anatase TiO₂ fully enclosed by high energy facets was prepared using green method for enhancing the photocatalytic activity.

Efficient visible light-driven water oxidation catalyzed by an all-inorganic copper-containing polyoxometalate

We report the first copper-containing POM catalyst [Cu₅(OH)₄(H₂O)₂(A-α-SiW₉O₃₃)₂]¹⁰⁻(1) that catalyzes water oxidation under visible light. Multiple experiments confirm that1is an active and dominant catalyst during water oxidation.

Controlled growth of dense and ordered metal–organic framework nanoparticles on graphene oxide

A facile synthetic strategy is developed to modulate the growth and distribution of MOF–graphene oxide (GO) nanohybrids, achieving dense and ordered MOFs featuring different sizes and morphologies dispersed on GO.

Palladium-catalyzed unactivated β-methylene C(sp3)–H bond alkenylation of aliphatic amides and its application in a sequential C(sp3)–H/C(sp2)–H bond alkenylation

A palladium(ii)-catalyzed β-methylene C(sp³)–H bond alkenylation of acyclic aliphatic amides with alkenyl halides has been developed. Solvent effect-promoted sequential C(sp³)–H bond alkenylation and C(sp²)–H bond alkenylation has also been studied.

Formation kinetics and photoelectrochemical properties of crystalline C70 one-dimensional microstructures

We discovered that solvents play a critical role in determining the morphology, formation process and intrinsic properties of several C₇₀ one-dimensional microstructures, which show superior photoelectrochemical properties.

Porous Fe3O4 hollow spheres with chlorine-doped-carbon coating as superior anode materials for lithium ion batteries

The PH-Fe₃O₄@C/Cl spheres were successfully fabricated through a novel and controllable route, which could deliver superior lithium storage performance in terms of high reversible capacity, stable cycling and rate performances.

Diastereo-specific conformational properties of neutral, protonated and radical cation forms of (1R,2S)-cis- and (1R,2R)-trans-amino-indanol by gas phase spectroscopy

The effects of ionisation and protonation on the geometric and electronic structure of a prototypical aromatic amino-alcohol with two chiral centres are revealed by IR and UV spectroscopy.

Magnetically retrievable silica-based nickel nanocatalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

A new magnetically recoverable silica-based nickel nanocatalyst was synthesized, characterized and applied for the first time as a catalyst in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.

Aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) effectively catalyzed by a Ce0.8Bi0.2O2−δ supported Pt catalyst at room temperature

98% yield of FDCA was obtained within 30 min at room temperature when HMF oxidation was catalyzed by Pt/Ce_0.8Bi_0.2O_2−δ.

The influence of dispersed phases on polyamide/ZIF-8 nanofiltration membranes for dye removal from water

The influence of different dispersed phases on PA/ZIF-8 membrane properties was investigated, and the PA/ZIF-8(B) membrane (ZIF-8 dispersed in both the aqueous and organic phases) exhibited the best performance for dye removal by nanofiltration.

Synergistic lithium storage of a multi-component Co2SnO4/Co3O4/Al2O3/C composite from a single-source precursor

Co₂SnO₄/Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃/C composite is prepared from a laurate anion-intercalated CoAlSn-layered double hydroxide single-source precursor, and delivers highly enhanced electrochemical performances.

Ni(ii)-catalyzed dehydrative alkynylation of unactivated (hetero)aryl C–H bonds using oxygen: a user-friendly approach

Ni(ii)-catalyzed dehydrative alkynylation of unactivated C(sp²)–H bonds with terminal alkynes under atmospheric pressure of oxygen is described.

Asymmetric induction in homochiral MOFs: from interweaving double helices to single helices

A pair of homochiral metal–organic frameworks with interweaving double helices from enantiopure ligands and single helices braided by 4,4′-bipyridine and cadmium clusters have been synthesized successfully as a result of asymmetric induction.

Sn(OTf)2 catalyzed continuous flow ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

A simple PTFE tubular microreactor based platform was successfully developed to conduct Sn(OTf)₂ catalyzed ε-caprolactone polymerization with better control of reaction conditions, faster polymerizations and narrower molecular weight distributions.

Palladium catalyzed amide-oxazoline directed C–H acetoxylation of arenes

A palladium catalyzedortho-acetoxylation of arenes is shown, using an amide-oxazoline as the directing group. The reactions are compatible with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl amides in moderate to good yields.

Brush macromolecules with thermo-sensitive coil backbones and pendant polypeptide side chains: synthesis, self-assembly and functionalization

Macromolecular brushes with thermo-sensitive coil backbones and pendant poly(γ-benzyl-l-glutamate) side chains were synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer and ring-opening polymerization. Functionalization and self-assembly of the macromolecules were investigated.

Direct solvothermal phosphorization of nickel foam to fabricate integrated Ni2P-nanorods/Ni electrodes for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

An integrated Ni₂P-nanorods/Ni electrode is fabricated by direct phosphorization of a Ni foam current collector under solvothermal conditions, showing high electrocatalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution.

Self-assembled synthesis of hierarchical Zn2GeO4 core–shell microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Hierarchical Zn₂GeO₄ core–shell microspheres exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability towards photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

TiO2 embedded in carbon submicron-tablets: synthesis from a metal–organic framework precursor and application as a superior anode in lithium-ion batteries

A unique “blueberry muffin” structure provides the ideal anode characteristics of fast rechargeable LIBs, showing excellent long-term cycling stability.

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and visible-light irradiation: a new metal- and additive-free photochemical process for the synthesis of indoles and oxindoles

A combined tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and visible-light-promoted intramolecular reductive cyclization protocol for the synthesis of indoles and oxindoles has been developed.

Vegetable-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In this review we provide an overview of vegetable pigments in dye-sensitized solar cells, starting from main limitations of cell performance to cost analysis and scaling-up prospects.

Controlling interfacial contact and exposed facets for enhancing photocatalysis via 2D–2D heterostructures

The BiOIO₃/BiOI 2D–2D layered heterostructures with intimate contact and exposed reactive facets endowed the heterostructures with highly enhanced visible photocatalysis.

Synthesis of MoS2/SrZrO3 heterostructures and their photocatalytic H2 evolution under UV irradiation

A novel heterojunction of a MoS₂/SrZrO₃ photocatalyst was successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process and applied to photocatalytic H₂ evolution under UV light irradiation.

CH₃NH₃PbI₃-based planar solar cells with magnetron-sputtered nickel oxide

Herein we report an investigation of a CH3NH3PbI3 planar solar cell, showing significant power conversion efficiency (PCE) improvement from 4.88% to 6.13% by introducing a homogeneous and uniform NiO blocking interlayer fabricated with the reactive magnetron sputtering method. The sputtered NiO layer exhibits enhanced crystallization, high transmittance, and uniform surface morphology as well as a preferred in-plane orientation of the (200) plane. The PCE of the sputtered-NiO-based perovskite p-i-n planar solar cell can be further promoted to 9.83% when a homogeneous and dense perovskite layer is formed with solvent-engineering technology, showing an impressive open circuit voltage of 1.10 V. This is about 33% higher than that of devices using the conventional spray pyrolysis of NiO onto a transparent conducting glass. These results highlight the importance of a morphology- and crystallization-compatible interlayer toward a high-performance inverted perovskite planar solar cell.

Polydopamine and eumelanin: from structure-property relationships to a unified tailoring strategy

CONSPECTUS: Polydopamine (PDA), a black insoluble biopolymer produced by autoxidation of the catecholamine neurotransmitter dopamine (DA), and synthetic eumelanin polymers modeled to the black functional pigments of human skin, hair, and eyes have burst into the scene of materials science as versatile bioinspired functional systems for a very broad range of applications. PDA is characterized by extraordinary adhesion properties providing efficient and universal surface coating for diverse settings that include drug delivery, microfluidic systems, and water-treatment devices. Synthetic eumelanins from dopa or 5,6-dihydroxyindoles are the focus of increasing interest as UV-absorbing agents, antioxidants, free radical scavengers, and water-dependent hybrid electronic-ionic semiconductors. Because of their peculiar physicochemical properties, eumelanins and PDA hold considerable promise in nanomedicine and bioelectronics, as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and exhibit suitable mechanical properties for integration with biological tissues. Despite considerable similarities, very few attempts have so far been made to provide an integrated unifying perspective of these two fields of technology-oriented chemical research, and progress toward application has been based more on empirical approaches than on a solid conceptual framework of structure-property relationships. The present Account is an attempt to fill this gap. Following a vis-à-vis of PDA and eumelanin chemistries, it provides an overall view of the various levels of chemical disorder in both systems and draws simple correlations with physicochemical properties based on experimental and computational approaches. The potential of large-scale simulations to capture the macroproperties of eumelanin-like materials and their hierarchical structures, to predict the physicochemical properties of new melanin-inspired materials, to understand the structure-property-function relationships of these materials from the bottom up, and to design and optimize materials to achieve desired properties is illustrated. The impact of synthetic conditions on melanin structure and physicochemical properties is systematically discussed for the first time. Rational tailoring strategies directed to critical control points of the synthetic pathways, such as dopaquinone, DAquinone, and dopachrome, are then proposed, with a view to translating basic chemical knowledge into practical guidelines for material manipulation and tailoring. This key concept is exemplified by the recent demonstration that varying DA concentration, or using Tris instead of phosphate as the buffer, results in PDA materials with quite different structural properties. Realizing that PDA and synthetic eumelanins belong to the same family of functional materials may foster unprecedented synergisms between research fields that have so far been apart in the pursuit of tailorable and marketable materials for energy, biomedical, and environmental applications.

Crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization and reactivities of a mononuclear non-haem iron(III)-superoxo complex

Mononuclear non-haem iron(III)-superoxo species (Fe(III)-O2(-·)) have been implicated as key intermediates in the catalytic cycles of dioxygen activation by non-haem iron enzymes. Although non-haem iron(III)-superoxo species have been trapped and characterized spectroscopically in enzymatic and biomimetic reactions, no structural information has yet been obtained. Here we report the isolation, spectroscopic characterization and crystal structure of a mononuclear side-on (η(2)) iron(III)-superoxo complex with a tetraamido macrocyclic ligand. The non-haem iron(III)-superoxo species undergoes both electrophilic and nucleophilic oxidation reactions, as well as O2-transfer between metal complexes. In the O2-transfer reaction, the iron(III)-superoxo complex transfers the bound O2 unit to a manganese(III) analogue, resulting in the formation of a manganese(IV)-peroxo complex, which is characterized structurally and spectroscopically as a mononuclear side-on (η(2)) manganese(IV)-peroxo complex. The difference in the redox distribution between the metal ions and O2 in iron(III)-superoxo and manganese(IV)-peroxo complexes is rationalized using density functional theory calculations.

Mesoscopic features of charge generation in organic semiconductors

CONSPECTUS: In the past two decades, organic materials have been extensively investigated by numerous research groups worldwide for implementation in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. The interest in organic semiconductors is spurred by their potential low cost and facile tunability, making OPV devices a potentially disruptive technology. To study OPV operating mechanisms is also to explore a knowledge gap in our general understanding of materials, because both the time scales (femtosecond to microsecond) and length scales (nanometer to micrometer) relevant to OPV functionality occupy a challenging and fascinating space between the traditional regimes of quantum chemistry and solid-state physics. New theoretical frameworks and computational tools are needed to bridge the aforementioned length and time scales, and they must satisfy the criteria of computational tractability for systems involving 10(4)-10(6) atoms, while also maintaining predictive utility. While this challenge is far from solved, advances in density functional theory (DFT) have allowed researchers to investigate the ground- and excited-state properties of many intermediate sized systems (10(2)-10(3) atoms) that provide the outlines of the larger problem. Results on these smaller systems are already sufficient to predict optical gaps and trends in valence band energies, correct erroneous interpretations of experimental data, and develop models for charge generation and transport in OPV devices. The active films of high-efficiency OPV devices are comprised of mesoscopic mixtures of electron donor (D) and electron acceptor (A) species, a "bulk-heterojunction" (BHJ) device, subject to variable degrees of structural disorder. Depending on the degree of intermolecular electronic coupling and energy level alignment, the spatial delocalization of photoexcitations and charge carriers can affect the dynamics of the solar cell. In this Account, we provide an overview of three pivotal characteristics of solar cells that possess strong delocalization dependence: (1) the exciton binding energy, (2) charge transfer at the D-A heterojunction, and (3) the energy landscape in the vicinity of the D-A heterojunction. In each case, the length scale dependence can be assessed through DFT calculations on reference systems, with a view to establishing general trends. Throughout the discussion, we draw from the experimental and theoretical literature to provide a consistent view of what is known about these properties in actual BHJ blends. A consistent interpretation of the results to date affords the following view: transient delocalization effects and resonant charge transfer at the heterojunction are capable of funneling excitations away from trap states and mediating exciton dissociation; these factors alone are capable of explaining the remarkably good charge generation currently achieved in OPV devices. The exciton binding energy likely plays a minimal role in modern OPV devices, since the presence of the heterojunction serves to bypass the costly exciton-to-free-charge transition state.