The hazardous production of HF poses a major chemical and societal challenge. How to incorporate fluorine (F) atoms into organic molecules, circumventing HF generation? Recently, Gouverneur and co-workers reported an innovative method to activate fluorspar (CaF₂), mitigating the environmental impact of the fluorination process.

This article showcases recent breakthroughs by Scheidt and co-workers in the photoexcited structural reconstruction of carboxylic acids. By leveraging hydrogen-atom transfer and cyclization sequences, the generated diradicals facilitate the synthesis of valuable α-hydroxyl and amino phosphonates in a highly efficient and sustainable manner.

Under visible light, an enantioselective multicomponent reaction was achieved by exploiting natural enzyme diversity and biocompatible photochemistry.

C. Wang et al. recently developed a near-infrared-activated charge transfer complex-based nanoparticle with donor- acceptor (D–A) units, which enhances photothermal conversion and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) synergistically combines photothermal and photodynamic therapies (PTT/PDT). Preclinical experiments have shown a strong immunotherapeutic effect by integrating programmed cell death protein 1 antibody combination therapy. While the use of D–A units in nanosystems for photoimmunotherapy is still emerging, it holds great potential to revolutionize cancer treatment.

Fallon, Shende, Moore, and co-workers have identified for the first time genes encoding giant type I polyketide synthases (PKZILLA-1 & 2) in the “golden alga” Prymnesium parvum for the biosynthesis of the polyether toxin prymnesin-1, corroborating long-held biosynthetic postulates. The authors’ approach may serve as a blueprint for the future discovery of the biosynthetic machineries underlying other polyether toxins.