The 100 most-cited articles in Chemical Communications, 2016

The failure of the Job plot, best-practice in uncertainty estimation in host–guest binding studies and an open access webportal for data analysis are reviewed in this Feature Article.

For the first time, we developed edge-rich and dopant-free graphene as a highly efficient ORR electrocatalyst. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the as-obtained edge-rich graphene showed excellent ORR activity through a one-step and four-electron pathway. With a similar strategy, edge-rich carbon nanotubes and graphite can also be obtained with enhanced ORR activity. This work confirms the important role of edge carbon in efficient ORR electrocatalysis without interruption by any other dopants.

Pharmaceutical cocrystals belong to a sub-class of cocrystals wherein one of the components is a drug molecule (or an active pharmaceutical ingredient, API) and the second is a benign food or drug grade additive (generally regarded as safe, GRAS). The two components are hydrogen-bonded in a fixed stoichiometric ratio in the crystal lattice. In the past decade, pharmaceutical cocrystals have demonstrated significant promise in their ability to modify the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of drug substances, such as the solubility and dissolution rate, bioavailability, particle morphology and size, tableting and compaction, melting point, physical form, biochemical and hydration stability, and permeability. In this feature review, we highlight some prominent examples of drug cocrystals which exhibit variable hardness/softness and elasticity/plasticity depending on coformer selection, improvement of solubility and permeability in the same cocrystal, increase of the melting point for solid formulation, enhanced color performance, photostability and hydration stability, and…

We explore the crystallization of a high surface area imine-linked two-dimensional covalent organic framework (2D COF). The growth process reveals rapid initial formation of an amorphous network that subsequently crystallizes into the layered 2D network. The metastable amorphous polymer may be isolated and resubjected to growth conditions to form the COF. These experiments provide the first mechanistic insight into the mechanism of imine-linked 2D COF formation, which is distinct from that of boronate-ester linked COFs.

Two porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with good biocompatibility were employed as drug nanocarriers, where three different drugs were loaded for subsequent drug release in vitro. The present work demonstrates that COFs are applicable in drug delivery for therapeutic applications.

nanozyme, but also provide a new rationale for improving the efficiency of nanomaterial-based catalysts by utilizing strategies observed in nature.

Fenton's reagent was used to isolate microplastics from organic-rich wastewater. The catalytic reaction did not affect microplastic chemistry or size, enabling its use as a pre-treatment method for focal plane array-based micro-FT-IR imaging. Compared with previously described microplastic treatment methods, Fenton's reagent offers a considerable reduction in sample preparation times.

solar absorbers, with the aim of identifying those materials likely to achieve high efficiencies. The ideal properties essential to produce highly efficient solar cells are discussed and used as a framework to assess the broad range of compounds this field encompasses. Bringing together the lessons learned from this wide-ranging collection of materials will be essential as attention turns toward producing the next generation of solar absorbers.

We successfully fabricate flexible electrochromic supercapacitor (SC) electrodes employing novel flexible transparent conducting substrates. The as-synthesized flexible electrochromic SC electrodes exhibit great electrochemical performances (13.6 mF cm(-2), 138.2 F g(-1)) and high coloration efficiency (80.2 cm(2) C(-1)), which demonstrate their potential applications in flexible smart windows combining energy storage and electrochromism.

Correction for 'A high-performance supercapacitor cell based on ZIF-8-derived nanoporous carbon using an organic electrolyte' by Rahul R. Salunkhe et al., Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 4764-4767.

This overview highlights the emergent area of mechanochemical reactions for making active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and covers the latest advances in the recently established area of mechanochemical screening and synthesis of pharmaceutical solid forms, specifically polymorphs, cocrystals, salts and salt cocrystals. We also provide an overview of the most recent developments in pharmaceutical uses of mechanochemistry, including real-time reaction monitoring, techniques for polymorph control and approaches for continuous manufacture using twin screw extrusion, and more. Most importantly, we show how the overlap of previously unrelated areas of mechanochemical screening for API solid forms, organic synthesis by milling, and mechanochemical screening for molecular recognition, enables the emergence of a new research discipline in which different aspects of pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry are addressed through mechanochemistry rather than through conventional solution-based routes. The emergence of such medicinal mechanochemistry is likely to have a strong impact on…

The electrochemical behaviour of a Sn-based anode in a potassium cell is reported for the first time. The material is active at low potentials vs. K/K(+), and encouraging capacities of around 150 mA h g(-1) are recorded. Experimental evidence shows that Sn is capable of alloying/de-alloying with potassium in a reversible manner.

Ionic liquids are pure salts that are liquid under ambient conditions. As liquids composed solely of ions, the scientific consensus has been that ionic liquids have exceedingly high ionic strengths and thus very short Debye screening lengths. However, several recent experiments from laboratories around the world have reported data for the approach of two surfaces separated by ionic liquids which revealed remarkable long range forces that appear to be electrostatic in origin. Evidence has accumulated demonstrating long range surface forces for several different combinations of ionic liquids and electrically charged surfaces, as well as for concentrated mixtures of inorganic salts in solvent. The original interpretation of these forces, that ionic liquids could be envisioned as "dilute electrolytes," was controversial, and the origin of long range forces in ionic liquids remains the subject of discussion. Here we seek to collate and examine the evidence for long range surface forces in ionic liquids, identify key outstanding questions, and explore possible mechanisms underlying the…

A hydrogen bond assisted azine-linked covalent organic framework, COF-JLU3, was synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Combining excellent crystallinity, porosity, stability and luminescence, it can be the first COF as a fluorescent sensor for toxic metal ions, exhibiting high sensitivity and selectivity to Cu(2+).

Of the many thousands of new metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are now discovered each year, many possess potential redox activity arising from the constituent metal ions and/or organic ligands, or the guest molecules located within their porous structures. Those redox states that can be accessed via postsynthetic redox modulation often possess distinct physical properties; if harnessed, these provide a basis for applications including microporous conductors, electrocatalysts, energy storage devices and electrochemical sensors, amongst others. This feature article highlights the latest developments in experimental, theoretical and computational concepts relevant to redox-active MOFs, including new solid state electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques that have great utility in this field. A particular emphasis is on current and emerging trends at the fundamental level which underscore the importance of this promising class of electroactive materials for a wide range of technologically- and industrially-relevant applications.

All inorganic CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with 50-85% photoluminescence quantum yields and tunable emission in the range of 440-682 nm have been successfully synthesized at room temperature in open air. This facile strategy enables us to prepare gram-scale CsPbBr3 NCs with a PLQY approaching 80%.

Na solid-state NMR and pair distribution function analysis experiments provide insights into the structure of hard carbon anodes in sodium-ion batteries. Capacity results from "diamagnetic" sodium ions first adsorbing onto pore surfaces, defects and between expanded layers, before pooling into larger quasi-metallic clusters/expanded carbon sheets at lower voltages.

nanosheets encapsulated within spray-dried droplets can be scrolled, bent, and folded into 3D crumpled structures. This morphological change was observed to be reversible upon rehydration.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have many potential applications in the chemical industry. In order to understand ILs, their molecular details have been extensively investigated. Intuitively, electrostatic forces are solely important in ILs. However, experiments and calculations have provided strong evidence for the existence of H-bonds in ILs and their roles in the properties and applications of ILs. As a structure-directing force, H-bonds are responsible for ionic pairing, stacking and self-assembling. Their geometric structure, interaction energy and electronic configuration in the ion-pairs of imidazolium-based ILs and protic ionic liquids (PILs) show a great number of differences compared to conventional H-bonds. In particular, their cooperation with electrostatic, dispersion and π interactions embodies the physical nature of H-bonds in ILs, which anomalously influences their properties, leading to a decrease in their melting points and viscosities and thus fluidizing them. Using ILs as catalysts and solvents, many reactions can be activated by the presence of H-bonds, which reduce the…

Colloidally synthesized quantum dots of CsPbBr3 are highly promising for light-emitting applications. Previous reports based on benchtop diffraction conflict as to the crystal structure of CsPbBr3 quantum dots. We present X-ray diffraction and PDF analysis of X-ray total scattering data that indicate that the crystal structure is unequivocally orthorhombic (Pnma).

We successfully obtained a novel bi-functional electrocatalyst towards the ORR and OER: Co nanoparticle-embedded N-doped carbon nanotube (CNT)/porous carbon (PC) by pyrolyzing metal organic framework (MOF) encapsulated Co3O4. The as-obtained hybrid exhibited highly efficient electrocatalytic activity for the ORR and OER. Furthermore, the assembled Zn-air batteries also revealed promising performance and long-term stability.

Metal-halide perovskites have been hailed as remarkable materials for photovoltaic devices and, recently, their star has also been on the rise in optoelectronics and photonics. In particular, the optical properties of a metal-halide perovskite can be widely manipulated once its bulk structure has been reduced to a low-dimensional structure, allowing multiple functionalities of light generation, emission, transmission, and detection to be realized in one material. In this paper, we highlight the recent advances in the synthesis of low-dimensional metal-halide perovskites and their unique properties as well as their novel optoelectronic and photonic applications. It is anticipated that this review can serve as an overview and evaluation of state-of-the-art synthesis techniques as well as nanoscale optoelectronics and photonics based on low-dimensional perovskite nanocrystals.

The purpose of this article is to give a brief review of weak chelation-assistance as a powerful means for the rhodium-catalyzed annulation of arenes with alkynes. The use of commonly occurring functional groups (e.g., ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols) as the directing groups enriches the versatility of auxiliary ligands and extends the scope of products. This short article offers an overview on emerging procedures, highlights their advantages and limitations, and covers the latest progress in the rapid synthesis of organic functional materials and natural products.

concentrations and low DES/water mass ratios. Maximum extraction efficiency could be reached within 5 s and regeneration was possible.

Since their discovery in 2008, pillar[n]arenes have been a popular family of macrocyclic arene hosts due to their accessible one-step synthesis, convenient functionalization, symmetrical prism structures and perfect cavity host-guest properties. Compared with other macrocyclic hosts, the most peculiar recognition behavior of pillararenes is the strong binding affinities of pillar[5]arenes (P5As) towards neutral guests in organic media, which is unfeasible for classic crown ethers and calixarenes. The intriguing properties have found extensive applications in many fields from supramolecular chemistry to materials science. This feature article provides a detailed summary of the molecular recognition of P5As and neutral guests, where the driving forces, binding mechanisms, and binding selectivities are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, brief highlights of research progress in the functional applications based on the neutral guest⊂P5A motifs were also discussed, including the construction of complex topological superstructures (e.g. rotaxanes, catenanes and daisy chains),…

Bi 2 WO 6 with oxygen vacancies was demonstrated as an efficient photocatalyst for CO 2 reduction into energy-rich CH 4 over the UV-Vis-NIR full spectrum.

A halogen bond is an attractive non-covalent interaction between an electrophilic region in a covalently bonded halogen atom and a Lewis base. While these interactions have long been exploited as a tool in crystal engineering their powerful ability to direct supramolecular self-assembly and molecular recognition processes in solution has, until recently, been overlooked. During the last decade however an ever-increasing number of studies on solution-phase halogen-bond-mediated anion recognition processes has emerged. This Feature Article summarises advancements which have been made thus far in this rapidly developing research area. We survey the use of iodoperfluoroarene, haloimidazolium and halotriazole/triazolium halogen-bond-donor motifs in anion receptor design, before providing an account of our research into the application of mechanically interlocked rotaxane and catenane frameworks as halogen bonding anion host systems.

With the rapid development of science and technology and the trend of multidisciplinary pervasion, POM-based TM-RE heterometallic chemistry (POM = polyoxometalate, TM = transition-metal, RE = rare-earth) has become one of the most rapidly growing and challengeable areas of inorganic chemistry due to the impressive structural diversities, various chemical compositions and potential applications of these materials in magnetism, optics, electrochemistry, electrocatalysis and materials science. Over the past several years, continuous interest and persisting efforts have been dedicated to the preparation and exploration of POM-based TM-RE heterometallic derived materials (PTRHDMs), which have led to more than two hundred PTRHDMs. In this review, we summarize the structural types of reported PTRHDMs together with synthetic strategies, structural motifs and relevant functional applications. The exciting array of this emerging research theme presages continuous growth and great vitality. In the last section, some prospects of this branch are also presented and possible guidance for future…

Nanoparticle-stacked porous Co 3 FeN x nanowires as bifunctional electrocatalysts, exhibiting excellent OER and HER activity due to their unique structural advantages with grain boundaries, defects and dislocations.

Recent advances in the application of first-principles calculations of NMR parameters to periodic systems have resulted in widespread interest in their use to support experimental measurement. Such calculations often play an important role in the emerging field of "NMR crystallography", where NMR spectroscopy is combined with techniques such as diffraction, to aid structure determination. Here, we discuss the current state-of-the-art for combining experiment and calculation in NMR spectroscopy, considering the basic theory behind the computational approaches and their practical application. We consider the issues associated with geometry optimisation and how the effects of temperature may be included in the calculation. The automated prediction of structural candidates and the treatment of disordered and dynamic solids are discussed. Finally, we consider the areas where further development is needed in this field and its potential future impact.

An aqueous solution of hydrogen carbonate (HCO3(-)) facilitated oxidative hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production from water on a WO3/BiVO4 photoanode with the simultaneous production of hydrogen (H2) on a Pt cathode even at an applied voltage far lower than the theoretical electrolysis voltage (+1.77 V vs. RHE) under simulated solar light. The unprecedentedly efficient simultaneous production and accumulation of H2O2 and H2 was achieved in 2.0 M KHCO3 at low temperature, and the maximum selectivity, accumulated concentration and turnover number (TON) of H2O2 generated reached ca. 54%, more than 2 mM and 108, respectively.

We report achieving of efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction using composition-controlled iron phosphide (FeP and FeP2) nanowires. The respective Tafel slopes of nanowire arrays were 39 and 37 mV dec(-1) in 0.5 M H2SO4, and 75 and 67 mV dec(-1) in 1 M KOH. The richer P composition produced excellent electrocatalytic efficiency.

Phase-stable perovskite CsPbI 3 nanocrystals have been prepared by replacing conventionally used oleic acid with a phosphinic acid in their synthesis.

Based on an organic ligand involving both carboxylate and tetrazole groups, a chemically stable Zn(II) metal-organic framework has been rationally synthesized and behaves as a fluorescence chemosensor for the highly selective and sensitive detection of picric acid, an extremely hazardous and strong explosive.

Herein, we demonstrate a simple strategy to boost the photocatalytic performance of BiOI by introducing oxygen defects into the BiOI. The oxygen-deficient BiOI exhibits superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of formaldehyde gas. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity is due to the enhanced separation and migration efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes.

is successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal method combined with a subsequent annealing treatment and further evaluated as an anode material for potassium-ion batteries for the first time. This study may provide a broader vision into developing anode materials for potassium-ion batteries.

The crystal structure of a new bismuth-based light-absorbing material for the application in solar cells was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction for the first time. (CH3NH3)3(Bi2I9) (MBI) is a promising alternative to recently rapidly progressing hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites due to the higher tolerance against water and low toxicity. Single crystal X-ray diffraction provides detailed structural information as an essential prerequisite to gain a fundamental understanding of structure property relationships, while powder diffraction studies demonstrate a high degree of crystallinity in thin films.

Gold coated magnetic nanoparticles (Au@MNPs) have become increasingly interesting to nanomaterial scientists due to their multifunctional properties and their potential in both analytical chemistry and nanomedicine. The past decade has seen significant progress in the synthesis and surface modification of Au@MNPs. This progress is based on advances in the preparation and characterization of iron/iron oxide nanocrystals with the required surface functional groups. In this critical review, we summarize recent developments in the methods of preparing Au@MNPs, surface functionalization and their application in analytical sensing and biomedicine. We highlight some of the remaining major challenges, as well as the lessons learnt when working with Au@MNPs.

A series of phenothiazine-dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide charge-transfer molecules have been synthesized. Increasing steric restriction around the donor-acceptor bond significantly alters contributions from TADF and phosphorescence. Bulky substituents on the 1-(and 9) position(s) of the phenothiazine result in no TADF in the solid state; instead strong phosphorescence is observed at ambient temperature.

Pillar[n]arenes (n = 5-15) are a novel class of macrocyclic molecules with hydroquinone as the repeating unit linked by methylene bridges at para-positions. Introduced by T. Ogoshi for the first time in 2008, pillararenes have attracted increasing interest and have been widely studied during the last eight years, due to their unique structural advantages as host molecules, such as symmetrical rigid architecture, electron-rich cavities and facile functional modification. In this review, we first describe the syntheses of pillar[n]arenes including cyclooligomerization of pillar[n]arenes and modification of pillar[n]arenes after cyclooligomerization, summarising almost twenty different kinds of guest motifs and dividing them into three types: cationic, neutral and anionic motifs. The main section of this review examines the applications of pillar[n]arenes based on the host-guest interactions in different research fields, including biology, materials science and environmental science. Finally, future research directions and potential for novel applications are discussed.

Magnesium bis(hydridotriphenylborate), a solvent-separated ion pair [Mg(thf) 6 ][HBPh 3 ] 2 , is a versatile catalyst for hydroboration of polar unsaturated substrates including CO 2 .

Tetragonal CsPb 2 Br 5 nanosheets, involving lateral shape evolution, were obtained via oriented attachment of orthorhombic CsPbBr 3 nanocubes.

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a gas-phase deposition technique that, by relying on self-terminating surface chemistry, enables the control of the amount of deposited material down to the atomic level. While mostly used in semiconductor technology for the deposition of ceramic oxides and nitrides on wafers, ALD lends itself to the deposition of a wealth of materials on virtually every substrate. In particular, ALD and its organic counterpart molecular layer deposition (MLD), have opened up attractive avenues for the synthesis of novel nanostructured materials. However, as most ALD processes were developed and optimized for semiconductor technology, these might not be optimal for applications in fields such as catalysis, energy storage, and health. For this reason, novel applications for ALD often require new surface chemistries, process conditions, and reactor types. As a result, recent developments in ALD technology have marked a considerable departure from the standard set by well-established ALD processes. The aim of this review is twofold: firstly, to capture the recent…

Co/CoO nanoparticles immobilized on Co-N-doped carbon were successfully developed using shrimp-shell derived N-doped carbon nanodots as precursors by a combined approach of polymerization and pyrolysis, as electrocatalysts exhibiting trifunctional catalytic activities toward oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions and high performance in rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Nowadays, water shortage is a severe issue all over the world, especially in some arid and undeveloped areas. Interestingly, a variety of natural creatures can collect water from fog, which can provide a source of inspiration to develop novel and functional water-collecting materials. Recently, as an increasingly hot research topic, bioinspired materials with the water collection ability have captured vast scientific attention in both practical applications and fundamental research studies. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of water collection in various natural creatures and present the fabrications, functions, applications, and new developments of bioinspired materials in recent years. The theoretical basis related to the phenomenon of water collection containing wetting behaviors and water droplet transportations is described in the beginning, i.e., the Young's equation, Wenzel model, Cassie model, surface energy gradient model and Laplace pressure equation. Then, the water collection mechanisms of three typical and widely researched natural animals and plants are…

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed with metal ions/clusters and organic ligands have emerged as an important family of porous materials for various applications. However, the stability of this class of materials is crucial for their practical applications, which might be improved by varying their chemical composition and/or structurally tuning them. To fabricate MOFs with high stability, several strategies for enhancing the stability of MOFs have been developed, in which the strength of metal-ligand bonds is especially considered: the use of highly charged cations and higher pKa ligands, and varying the chemical functionality of linkers. On the other hand, the regulation of their structural architectures is also investigated: interpenetrated frameworks, multi-walled frameworks, and self-strengthening of the frameworks. In addition, the surface modification can also improve the stability of the materials. In this review, we introduce and summarize these strategies from the viewpoint of structural tuning and component choosing, providing useful instructions for the further…

Durable and self-healing superamphiphobic coatings with high repellency to both cool and hot liquids are successfully prepared on various substrates by the combination of rodlike palygorskite and organosilanes via spray-coating. The coatings feature high mechanical, environmental and chemical durability, and are self-healing.

In recent times, significant attention has been paid to the development of functional coordination polymer gels (CPGs) from rationally designed low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) and metal ions. Coordination of metal ions to LMWGs provides an opportunity to emulate metal based redox, optical, electronic and magnetic properties in soft CPG materials. The metal-LMWG interactions allow controlled growth of CPGs with different nanostructures such as fibers, tubes, rings, ribbons and vesicles. Furthermore, the nanoscale periodicity of metal ions and LWMGs in CPGs is of paramount importance for different optoelectronic applications. The easy processability and dynamic nature of CPGs are explored for application in diverse fields, including drug-delivery, gas storage, optoelectronics, chemo-sensing, self-healing, etc. Also, by taking advantage of dynamic metal-ligand coordination bonds various stimuli-responsive multi-functional CPGs are developed. In this feature article, we cover important examples of newly developed CPGs, which show potential applications in different fields.

Seven Zr/Hf-based MOFs with different degrees of defects were obtained by modulating the synthetic conditions. The number of missing linkers in these MOFs was calculated based on potentiometric acid-base titration. The number of defects was found to correlate quantitatively with the catalytic activity of UiO-type MOFs for an acid-catalyzed epoxide ring-opening reaction. More importantly, we were able to identify a MOF with inherent defective Zr6 nodes, which showed great activity and regio-selectivity for the epoxide ring-opening reaction.

Hierarchical CuCo2S4 hollow nanoneedle arrays have been firstly synthesized on a Ni foam using a facile template-free hydrothermal method and applied as novel binder-free electrodes for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors with ultrahigh specific capacitance, high energy density, excellent rate capability and outstanding long-term cycling stability.

When exposed to external stimuli such as heat or light, certain single crystals can acquire momentum and undergo motion. On a molecular scale, the motility of such dynamic single crystals is triggered by a phase transition or chemical reaction without gaseous products, and macroscopically manifests as either slow (reversible or irreversible) deformation, or as rapid, almost instantaneous propulsion of the crystals that is oftentimes accompanied by disintegration. While the elastic energy of the slow reconfiguration processes such as bending, twisting and coiling can be utilized for actuation of other objects, the fast disintegrative processes could be exploited to initiate pressure-sensitive applications. This short review intends to summarize recent developments in the growing research on dynamic crystals, especially aspects of the mechanism of rapid motion of thermosalient and photosalient (leaping) crystals. The collective evidence indicates that these solids are organic-based analogues of the inorganic martensitic materials. While qualitative explanation of the molecular…

Luminescent lanthanide complexes display unrivalled spectroscopic properties, which place them in a special category in the luminescent toolbox. Their long-lived line-like emission spectra are the cornerstones of numerous analytical applications ranging from ultrasensitive homogeneous fluoroimmunoassays to the study of molecular interactions in living cells with multiplexed microscopy. However, achieving such minor miracles is a result of years of synthetic efforts and spectroscopic studies to understand and gather all the necessary requirements for the labels to be efficient. This feature article intends to survey these criteria and to discuss some of the most important examples reported in the literature, before explaining in detail some of the applications of luminescent lanthanide labels to bioanalysis and luminescence microscopy. Finally, the emphasis will be put on some recent applications that hold great potential for future biosensing.

This perspective illustrates our approach in the design of heteroleptic cationic iridium(iii) complexes for optoelectronic applications, especially as emitters in electroluminescent devices. We discuss changes in the photophysical properties of the complexes as a consequence of modification of the electronics of either the cyclometalating (C^N) or the ancillary (N^N) ligands. We then broach the impact on these properties as a function of modification of the structure of both types of ligands. We explain trends in the optoelectronic behaviour of the complexes using a combination of rationally designed structure-property relationship studies and theoretical modelling that serves to inform subsequent ligand design. However, we have found cases where the design paradigms do not always hold true. Nevertheless, all these studies contribute to the lessons we have learned in the design of heteroleptic cationic phosphorescent iridium(iii) complexes.

The last few years have witnessed significant advances in the use of light as a stimulus to control biomolecular interactions. Great efforts have been devoted to the development of genetically encoded optobiological and small photochromic switches. Newly discovered small molecules now allow researchers to build molecular systems that are sensitive to a wider range of wavelengths of light than ever before with improved switching fidelities and increased lifetimes of the photoactivated states. Because these molecules are relatively small and adopt predictable conformations they are well suited as tools to interrogate cellular function in a spatially and temporally contolled fashion and for applications in photopharmacology.

A novel methodology of visible light regulated ring opening polymerization in the presence of reversible merocyanine-based photoacid was reported for the first time. In combination with a photoinduced radical polymerization technique, a dual wavelength light controlled orthogonal polymerization system was investigated to switch the polymerization between two different monomers and for the preparation of block and graft copolymers in one pot.

A direct C-H bond phosphonation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with H-phosphonates, H-phosphinates or H-phosphine oxides has been developed. A wide variety of heteroaryl phosphonates were obtained in up to 92% yield for 20 examples under transition-metal-free conditions. This protocol tolerates a broad scope of substrates and features practicality, high efficiency, environmental friendliness and atom economy.

Nanoporous supramolecular networks physisorbed on solid surfaces have been extensively used to immobilize a variety of guest molecules. Host-guest chemistry in such two-dimensional (2D) porous networks is a rapidly expanding field due to potential applications in separation technology, catalysis and nanoscale patterning. Diverse structural topologies with high crystallinity have been obtained to capture molecular guests of different sizes and shapes. A range of non-covalent forces such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals interactions, coordinate bonds have been employed to assemble the host networks. Recent years have witnessed a surge in the activity in this field with the implementation of rational design strategies for realizing controlled and selective guest capture. In this feature article, we review the development in the field of surface-supported host-guest chemistry as studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Typical host-guest architectures studied on solid surfaces, both under ambient conditions at the solution-solid interface as well as those formed at the ultrahigh…

obtained by a normal cane sugar-assisted method reveals improved electrochemical performances in potassium-ion batteries. This work may give a new insight into developing electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries.

We presented the immobilization of ionic liquids on the channel walls of COFs using a post-synthetic strategy. The ionic [Et4NBr]50%-Py-COF afforded a high CO2 adsorption capacity of 164.6 mg g(-1) (1 bar, 273 K) and was developed as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the transformation of CO2 into value-added formamides under ambient conditions.

Based on DFT calculations, we propose a TM@CN hybrid structure, in which the single-atom transition metal (TM = Pt, Pd, Co, Ni, Cu) is supported by graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN), as a promising high-performance OER catalyst. Our work reveals the importance of local TM coordination in catalysts for the OER, which would lead to a new class of low-cost, durable and efficient OER catalysts.

The main synthetic applications of catalytic C(sp 3 )–H amination and alkene aziridination reactions are discussed in the context of natural product synthesis. The examples highlight that these synthetic methods now firmly belong in the organic chemist's toolbox.

Herein, we report an anthracene-based material, 2-(anthracen-9-yl)thianthrene (), whose crystal exhibits excimer fluorescence with an unexpected high luminous efficiency (up to 80%) and long lifetime (163.75 ns), due to pairwise anthracene stacking. These results will update the traditional view that excimers are poorly efficient in photoluminescence.

Copper is a unique electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction, since it is one of the few catalysts able to produce methane, ethylene and ethane from CO2 with decent faradaic efficiencies. Here we report on the design and synthesis of a new non-copper-containing catalyst able to reduce CO2 to C1 to C5 hydrocarbons. This catalyst was designed by combining a metal that binds CO strongly, Pd, with a metal that binds CO weakly, Au, in an attempt to tune the binding energy of CO. We show that a mixture of C1-C5 hydrocarbons and soluble products are produced from an onset potential of -0.8 VRHE. We propose that the higher hydrocarbons are formed via a polymerization of -CH2 groups adsorbed on the catalyst surface.

This review article summarizes recent progress in the synthesis and optoelectronic properties of conjugated materials containing heavy main group elements from Group 13-16 as integral components. As will be discussed, the introduction of these elements can promote novel phosphorescent behavior and support desirable molecular and polymeric properties such as low optical band gaps and high charge mobilities for photovoltaic and thin film transistor applications.

Direct synthesis of NH-sulfoximines from sulfides has been achieved through O and NH transfer in the same reaction, occurring with complete selectivity.

BODIPY-immobilized zirconium-based nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), named , have been synthesized through solvent-assisted ligand exchange using UiO-typed MOFs and pre-designed BODIPY ligands for the first time. The nanocrystal has been proved to possess good biocompatibility and highly efficient generation of singlet oxygen, which could kill the cancer cells effectively.

The one-step pyrolysis of a zeolite-type metal-organic framework, Co(2-methylimidazole)2 (ZIF-67), produces an N-doped porous carbon incorporating well-dispersed Co/CoO nanoparticles, which exhibit excellent catalytic activity, chemoselectivity and magnetic recyclability for the tandem dehydrogenation of ammonia borane and hydrogenation of nitro compounds at room temperature.

Nano-scale metal particles have huge potential due to their wide range of diverse catalytic applications. Recently, they have found numerous applications in the field of biomass conversion. The proposed contribution is aimed at providing a brief account of remarkable recent findings and advances in the design of metal-based nanocatalysts for biomass valorization. We have discussed the rational control of the size, shape, composition and surface properties of nano-scale metal catalysts. Following that, the interplay between various structural parameters and the catalytic properties in the transformation of cellulose, chitin, lignin and lipids has been critically discussed.

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) have been used as photocatalysts for hydrogen production from water in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor. The relative importance of the linker geometry, the co-monomer linker length, and the degree of planarisation were studied with respect to the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate.

Mechanically interlocked molecules have a long and rich history as ligands thanks to the key role coordination chemistry has played in the development of high yielding passive template syntheses of rotaxanes and catenanes. In this Feature Article, we highlight the effect of the mechanical bond on the properties of metal ions bound within the sterically hindered environment of the macrocycle cavity, and discuss the emerging applications of interlocked ligands in catalysis, sensing and supramolecular materials.

At room temperature under mild photochemical conditions, namely irradiation with a simple blue light LED, gold(i) chloro complexes of both phosphane and carbene ligands in combination with aryldiazonium salts afford arylgold(iii) complexes. With chelating P,N-ligands cationic six- or five-membered chelate complexes were isolated in the form of salts with weakly coordinating counter anions that were brought in from the diazonium salt. With monodentate P ligands or N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and diazonium chlorides neutral arylgold(iii) dichloro complexes were obtained. The coordination geometry was determined by X-ray crystal structure analyses of representative compounds, a cis arrangement of the aryl and the phosphane ligand at the square planar gold(iii) center is observed.

Hexagonal NiS nanobelts served as novel cathode materials for rechargeable Al-ion batteries based on an AlCl3/[EMIm]Cl ionic liquid electrolyte system. The nano-banded structure of the materials can facilitate the electrolyte immersion and enhance Al(3+) diffusion. The hexagonal NiS nanobelt based cathodes exhibit high storage capacity, good cyclability and low overpotential.

Foldamers can be made more than pieces of static, conformationally uniform molecular architecture by designing into their structure the conformational dynamism characteristic of functional molecular machines. We show that these dynamic foldamers display biomimetic properties reminiscent of allosteric proteins and receptor molecules. They can translate chemical signals into conformational changes, and hence into chemical outputs such as control of reactivity and selectivity. Future developments could see dynamic foldamers operating in the membrane phase providing artificial mechanisms for communication and control that integrate synthetic chemistry into synthetic biology.

Efficient and cost-effective removal of radioactive (137)Cs and (90)Sr found in spent fuel is an important step for safe, long-term storage of nuclear waste. Solid-state materials such as resins and titanosilicate zeolites have been assessed for the removal of Cs and Sr from aqueous solutions, but there is room for improvement in terms of capacity and selectivity. Herein, we report the Cs(+) and Sr(2+) exchange potential of an ultra stable MOF, namely, MIL-101-SO3H, as a function of different contact times, concentrations, pH levels, and in the presence of competing ions. Our preliminary results suggest that MOFs with suitable ion exchange groups can be promising alternate materials for cesium and strontium removal.

Herein, we report a new color tuning approach for highly luminescent nanoscale lead(ii) bromide perovskites with a quasi-2D layered structure. By synthetically manipulating the quasi-2D layered structure, different quantum size confinement effects can be realized to enable a precise color tuning of emissions ranging from deep blue to bright green.

Iron phosphide (FeP) nanorods have been fabricated by a facile hydrothermal synthesis of iron oxyhydroxide precursors, followed by a convenient phosphorization process. The FeP nanorods dispersed on carbon fiber paper current collectors exhibit outstanding catalytic activity and excellent long-term stability toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

A new mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe HCy-D, constructed by dansyl and hemicyanine fluorophores, for SO2 derivatives (HSO3(-)/SO3(2-)) was presented. This probe was designed based on a new FRET platform. HCy-D showed a ratiometric, sensitive and rapid response to HSO3(-)/SO3(2-). Importantly, HCy-D was successfully used for fluorescence imaging of endogenous bisulfite in HepG2 cells, which may benefit cancer diagnosis by discriminating liver cancer cells from normal liver cells.

Attempts to generate a proposed rhodium hydride catalytic intermediate instead resulted in isolation of (Cp*H)Rh(bpy)Cl (1), a pentamethylcyclopentadiene complex, formed by C-H bond-forming reductive elimination from the fleeting rhodium hydride. The hydride transfer ability of diene 1 was explored through thermochemistry and hydride transfer reactions, including the reduction of NAD(+).

Unlike normal ACQ-to-AIE conversion by the introduction of aromatic rotors accompanying the realization of a twisted conformation and a prolonged π-system, in this communication, the adjustment of the flexible chains can reach this point with the tunable packing modes while the original π-system core and related properties of the aromatic naphthalene diimide remain nearly unchanged, providing an alternative approach for the inhibition of unwanted π-π stacking.

Pillar[n]arenes are a new class of synthetic supramolecular macrocycles streamlined by their particular pillar-shaped architecture which consists of an electron-rich cavity and two fine-tuneable rims. The ease and diversity of the functionalization of the two rims open possibilities for the design of new architectures, topological isomers, and scaffolds. Significantly, this emerging class of macrocyclic receptors offers a unique platform for biological purposes. This review article covers the most recent contributions from the pillar[n]arene field in terms of artificial membrane transport systems, controlled drug delivery systems, biomedical imaging, biosensors, cell adhesion, fluorescent sensing, and pesticide detection based on host-guest interactions. The review also uniquely describes the properties of sub-units that make pillar[n]arenes suitable for biological applications and it provides a detailed outline for the design of new innovative pillar-like structures with specific properties to open up a new avenue for pillar[n]arene chemistry.

This communication reports that the TiO2@polydopamine nanocomposite with a core-shell structure could be a highly active photocatalyst working under visible light. A very thin layer of polydopamine at around 1 nm was found to be critical for the degradation of Rhodamine B.

Two conjugated microporous polymers containing thiophene-moieties (SCMPs) were obtained by the polymerization of 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromo-2,2'-bithiophene and ethynylbenzene monomers through the palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira-Hagihara crosscoupling reaction. The resulting SCMPs show high thermal stability with a decomposition temperature above 300 °C. Scanning electron microscopy images show that the resulting SCMPs formed as an aggregation composed of micrometer-sized SCMP spheres, in which honeycomb-like porous spheres with penetrated pores on the surface were observed. Taking advantage of such a unique honeycomb-like porous morphology as well as π-conjugated structures, the SCMPs show ultrahigh absorption performance for iodine vapour with an uptake of up to 345 wt% obtained, which is the highest value reported to date for CMPs, thus making the resulting SCMPs ideal absorbent materials for reversible iodine capture to address environmental issues.

An unprecedented catalyst-free formylation of amines using CO2 and hydrosilanes was developed. The solvent plays a vital role in promoting the interaction of amines with hydrosilanes and subsequent CO2 insertion, thus facilitating the simultaneous activation of N-H and Si-H bonds. Based on relevant mechanistic studies, a plausible mechanism involving a silyl carbamate intermediate is proposed.

Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) have received increasing attention as smart materials owing to their unique properties. Upon addition of various stimuli, blue PDAs can undergo a colorimetric transition from blue to red along with a change from non-fluorescent to fluorescent. The optical changes can be readily detected by the naked eye and by using absorption and fluorescence spectrometers. These properties make PDAs excellent materials for use in platforms for sensing chemical or biological targets. In recent years, a number of biosensors and chemosensors based on the optical responses of polydiacetylenes have been reported. In this review, recent advances made in this area were discussed following a format based on different cognizing targets, including temperature, metal ions, anions, surfactants, amines, water, gas, sugars, hydrocarbons, neomycin, heparin, virus, enzymes, bacteria, and cancers. Emphasis is given to the methods used to prepare PDA sensing systems as well as their sensing performance.

Perfluoroaryl-substituted tellurophenes act as anion receptors through noncovalent chalcogen bonding interactions. Linking two tellurophenes through an ethynylene group results in a significant level of chelate cooperativity, thus demonstrating that chalcogen bonding can be used to achieve multidentate anion recognition.

We have developed a new ratiometric fluorescent probe composed of a coumarin-merocyanine dyad based on the FRET mechanism. The probe showed clear dual-emission signal changes in blue and red spectral windows upon addition of H2S in a dose dependent manner under a single wavelength excitation. The probe targeted mitochondria with high selectivity and sensitivity toward H2S.

In this review we have collated various supramolecular designs, all surrounding H-bonding among well-known functional groups (peptides, nucleic acids, amides, ureas, carboxylic acids, pyridine-hydroxyls, urethanes, imides and others), to dictate self-assembly of naphthalenediimide (NDI) π-systems (both small molecules and polymeric building blocks) that exhibit several exciting features including strong propensity for π-π interactions, π-acidity, excellent n-type semiconductivity, CT-complexation, ion-π interactions, ring-substitution dependent redox properties and photophysical properties. This article reveals that H-bonding can indeed serve as a very powerful and versatile tool to programmed self-assembly of a single or multiple dye system producing a wide range of tailored soft materials, including fibrillar gels, chromonic mesophases, foldamers, nanotubes, vesicles, reverse micelles and polymersomes, both in water and organic medium with distinct photophysical properties, charge transport properties, conductivity properties and functional group displays that are highly relevant…

Computational crystal structure prediction (CSP) methods can now be applied to the smaller pharmaceutical molecules currently in drug development. We review the recent uses of computed crystal energy landscapes for pharmaceuticals, concentrating on examples where they have been used in collaboration with industrial-style experimental solid form screening. There is a strong complementarity in aiding experiment to find and characterise practically important solid forms and understanding the nature of the solid form landscape.

Hypoxia, a condition in which the tissue is deprived of adequate oxygen supply, is a salient feature of various intractable diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic stroke, and solid tumors. In particular, hypoxic regions in tumors are often associated with invasiveness, metastasis, and resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Given its unique role in tumor progression, hypoxia has been considered to be a primary target for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Owing to their sizes and tailorable physicochemical characteristics, nanocarriers are an emerging class of materials that are increasingly utilized in biomedical applications. Particularly, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, which release their payloads specifically at the tumor-microenvironment, are materials of interest. Owing to the aberrant vascular properties of tumors, the transportation of anticancer drugs to hypoxic regions is challenging because they are distant from blood vessels. In addition, hypoxia upregulates various genes involved in drug resistance such as P-glycoprotein. To surmount the issues…

A β-ketoenamine based covalent organic framework, COF-JLU4, was synthesized by condensation of 2,5-dimethoxyterephthalohydrazide with triformylphloroglucinol under solvothermal conditions. This COF has strong crystallinity, good porosity, photoluminescence properties and wettability for water. It can serve as the first COF-based fluorescent pH sensor in aqueous solutions.

The advent of cycloaddition reactions in the synthesis of heterocycles and their ever burgeoning applications in the fields of material chemistry, catalysis and drugs have been a profound scientific development. In particular, isocyanide based cycloaddition reactions have been harbingers of an exciting new chapter in the realms of organic synthesis. The emergence of numerous synthetic protocols utilizing formal cycloaddition of isocyanides with conjugated heterodienes has unleashed countless opportunities to design and synthesize diverse heterocyclic scaffolds. To date, there has not been any exclusive review on a formal [4+1] cycloaddition involving isocyanides. The present review highlights the journey of formal [4+1] cycloaddition reactions of isocyanides with diverse electrophilic substrates viz. oxadienes, azadienes, thioacyl imines, alkylidene amides, alkylidene hydrazines, α,β-unsaturated nitro compounds, α-thioxothioamides, nitroso alkenes, acyl imines, vinyl ketenes, vinyl isocyanates, etc. to afford functionalized pyrroles, imidazoles, furans, oxazoles, pyrazoles, etc.

A new protocol for the synthesis of a highly stable (over 2 months under ambient conditions) solution-processed core-shell type structure of mixed methylammonium-octylammonium lead bromide perovskite nanoparticles (5-12 nm), having spherical shape, color tunability in the blue to green spectral region (438-521 nm) and a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of up to 92% is described. The color tunability, high PLQY and stability are due to the quantum confinement imparted by the crystal engineering associated with core-shell nanoparticle formation during growth.

We utilized a facile method for creating unique defects in the activated carbon (AC), which makes it highly active for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The ORR activity of the defective AC (D-AC) is comparable to the commercial Pt/C in alkaline medium, and the D-AC also exhibits excellent HER activity in acidic solution.

An emerging field of triplet energy migration-based photon upconversion (TEM-UC) is reviewed. Highly efficient photon upconversion has been realized in a wide range of chromophore assemblies, such as non-solvent liquids, ionic liquids, amorphous solids, gels, supramolecular assemblies, molecular crystals, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The control over their assembly structures allows for unexpected air-stability and maximum upconversion quantum yield at weak solar irradiance that has never been achieved by the conventional molecular diffusion-based mechanism. The introduction of the "self-assembly" concept offers a new perspective in photon upconversion research and triplet exciton science, which show promise for numerous applications ranging from solar energy conversion to chemical biology.

We designed and synthesized a single polymer with TADF characteristics by grafting the TADF emitter, 10-(4-(5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)phenyl)-10H-phenoxazine, onto the side chain of the polymer backbone of polycarbazole. Employing these copolymers as emitting layers, an efficient bluish-green polymer LED with a maximum external quantum efficiency of 4.3% was achieved, corresponding to a high exciton utilization efficiency (EUE) of 63.7%.

Recent advances regarding the synthetic chemistry of fluorinated aziridines, azetidines, pyrrolidines and their lactam/amino acid counterparts are presented. These heterocycles are of high importance both as building blocks for more complex structures and as active parts of medicinal chemistry-oriented compounds.

Low molecular weight gels can be responsive to a range of external stimuli. The use of light as an external stimulus to modify gels is of particular interest for a number of reasons. Light is a non-invasive trigger. For example, using light it is possible to spatially target a specific area of the gel leading to patterned gel surfaces. Here, we review the different approaches that have been used to form low molecular weight gels that respond to light.

Mechanochemical synthesis has been applied to the rapid synthesis of Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs), including Reline 200 (choline chloride : urea, 1 : 2), in a continuous flow methodology by Twin Screw Extrusion (TSE). This gave products in higher purity and with Space Time Yields (STYs), four orders of magnitude greater than for batch methods.

[(18)F]FMTEB, [(18)F]FPEB, [(18)F]flumazenil, [(18)F]DAA1106, [(18)F]MFBG, [(18)F]FDOPA, [(18)F]FMT and [(18)F]FDA are prepared from the corresponding arylboronic esters and [(18)F]KF/K222 in the presence of Cu(OTf)2py4. The method was successfully applied using three radiosynthetic platforms, and up to 26 GBq of non-carrier added starting activity of (18)F-fluoride.

AIE-active luminogen tetraphenylethene (TPE) was incorporated into a UiO-isoreticular zirconium metal-organic framework via the strategy of mixed dicarboxylate struts, and the resulting functionalized MOF shows a strong blue-green emission and selective sensing of nitroaromatic explosives 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) through fluorescence quenching. Moreover, the luminescent MOF exhibits efficient photocatalytic activity for aerobic cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions mediated by visible light.