Nanochannels for power generation: The confinement of fluid motion in a single boron nitride nanotube can provide an efficient means of power harvesting owing to the osmotically driven streaming current under a salt concentration difference (see picture). Devices based on this principle may open a new avenue in the exploration for new sources of renewable energy.

Heterocycles made green: New methodologies for the synthesis of pyrroles were recently developed based on domino Ir- and Ru-catalyzed amination and alkylations of alcohols. The concept provides a greener approach to interesting N-heterocyclic compounds.

Going native: The total synthesis of a homogeneous erythropoietin, possessing the native amino acid sequence and chitobiose glycans at each of the three wild-type sites of N glycosylation, has been accomplished. Herein is an account of the decade-long research effort en route to this formidable target compound.

Metal-based theranostics: This Review highlights recent examples of biologically active luminescent metal complexes that can target and probe a specific biomolecule, and offers insight into the future potential of luminescent metal-based therapeutics for the investigation and treatment of human diseases.

Micelles for mucosal immunity: A mucosal vaccine system based on γ-PGA nanomicelles and viral antigens was synthesized. The intranasal administration of the vaccine system induces a high immune response both in the humoral and cellular immunity (see picture).

Metal health: Ferroquine is a ferrocene-based analogue of the antimalarial drug chloroquine. In addition to the primary mechanism of quinoline action, fluorescent probe studies in infected red blood cells show another mechanism is at work. It is based on the production of HO^. in the acidic and oxidizing environment of the digestive vacuole of the malaria parasite and implies that, with ferroquine, reinvasion can be inhibited.

All-catalytic route to trisubstituted allenes: The first examples of catalytic enantioselective allylic substitution reactions that involve alkyne-based nucleophiles and lead to products having tertiary stereogenic centers are followed by an exceptionally stereospecific amine-catalyzed isomerization to trisubstituted allenes (see picture; NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene).

Quaternary stereocenters: Chiral α-magnesiated nitriles can be formed by deprotonation and are configurationally stable at low temperature, even for acyclic examples. These can be trapped with electrophiles to give enantiomerically enriched quaternary substituted products (see scheme; TMP=2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine).

Control of membrane traffic: Photoswitchable inhibitors of protein–protein interactions were applied to photoregulate clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) in living cells. Traffic light (TL) peptides acting as “stop” and “go” signals for membrane traffic can be used to dissect the role of CME in receptor internalization and in cell growth, division, and differentiation.

Jobs on the side: Substrate selectivity studies indicate that members of the biomedically important JmjC demethylase family of histone N^ε-methyllysine demethylases are capable of catalyzing the de-N-alkylation of groups other than N-methyl and can catalyze reactions that form stable hydroxylated products. The differences in binding preferences in this set of enzymes may be helpful in the design of selective inhibitors.

It's the water that matters. Pairs of benzo- and perfluorobenzoarylsulfonamide ligands bind to human carbonic anhydrase with a conserved binding geometry, an enthalpy-driven binding, and indistinguishable binding affinities (see picture). These data support the pervasive theory that the lock-and-key model disregards an important component of binding: the water, which fills the binding pocket of the protein and surrounds the ligand.

Light to wear: Aluminum coated fibrous materials with excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical endurance are fabricated at room temperature by a chemical solution process. The resulting aluminum-coated conductive papers and threads can be used in electric circuits for flexible and wearable electronics.

Chiral-anion phase-transfer catalysis (PTC) has been applied towards the enantioselective fluorocyclization reactions of 1,3-dienes. The method affords unprecedented fluorinated benz[f]isoquinoline and octahydroisoquinoline products in high yields and up to 96 % ee. New fluorinated amine reagents outperformed Selectfluor in the desired transformation.

Where there′s a wheel, there′s a way: The terpyridine-based title system has been synthesized through a facile self-assembly process. Two tris(terpyridine) ligands possessing angles of either 120° or 60° between adjacent tpy units were mixed with a stoichiometric amount of Zn²⁺ (2:6:12) to generate the desired coordination-driven bicycle-like wheel (90 % yield).

As you like it: The synthesis of supramolecular hierarchical nanostructures with designed morphologies has been realized through computer-simulation-guided multicomponent assembly of polypeptide-based block copolymers and homopolymers. By adjusting the attraction between hydrophobic polypeptide rods, as well as other parameters such as the molar ratio of copolymers and the rigidity of polymers, a variety of morphologies were obtained.

A correlation between ceria reducibility and the precious-metal d-band center is reported for ceria-supported precious-metal catalysts. The results could provide the missing link to fully explain the occurrence of strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) and hydrogen spillover in catalysts that consist of dispersed metals in contact with reducible metal oxides.

Peaceful coexistence: A double quadruplex composed of an i-motif and a G-quadruplex was constructed within one oligonucleotide strand (see picture). The defined double-quadruplex structure can serve as a NOTIF logic gate on the basis of the fluorescence of crystal violet.

The folding of DNA molecules by DNA origami is used in a nanosensor to analyze enzymatic DNA repair activity of hAGT. The method uses conformational changes that condition α-thrombin interaction with DNA aptamers, and illustrates the use of DNA origami as a proteinrecognition biosensor.

Molecular doping: The standard model for molecular p-doping of organic semiconductors (OSCs) assumes integer charge transfer between OSC and dopant. This is in contrast to an alternative model based on intermolecular complex formation instead. By systematically varying the acceptor strength it was possible to discriminate the two models. The latter is clearly favored, suggesting strategies for the chemical design of more efficient molecular dopants.

Let me get my nanoruler: Activatable probes based on radionuclide and quantum dots (QDs) were constructed using DNA as a linker. Cerenkov radiation from ⁶⁴Cu was used to excite the QDs in a distance-dependent manner. The luminescence was lowest nearest to the QD and increased with distance.

Compressed CO₂ triggers the formation of amphiphilic proline supramolecular assemblies in water, which catalyze the asymmetric aldol reaction without any additives. Compressed CO₂ can dynamically regulate the size of the assemblies and subsequently the catalyst activity and selectivity. Furthermore, CO₂ provides the merit of easy separation and purification, making the process sustainable and recyclable.

Bridging the gap: Rigid DNA linkers (blue, see picture) between microspheres (green) for high-resolution single-molecule mechanical experiments were constructed using DNA origami. The resulting DNA helical bundles greatly reduce the noise generated in studies of conformation changes using optical tweezers and were applied to study small DNA secondary structures.

A subtle interplay: In the formation of a 1.6 nm micelle containing up to six molecules of propofol, a hydrogen-bond network is shown to influence the structure of the micelle, whereas the nonpolar groups arrange in such a way that the remaining noncovalent interactions are maximized. Such globular structures present a characteristic signature in the IR spectrum that will allow their identification in more complex media.

Making sense: A novel polyacetylene composite material with incorporated aligned carbon nanotubes shows rapid changes in both fluorescent intensity and color appearance in response to applied electric currents, and these electrochromatic transitions remain reversible even after a thousand cycles. The composite material is anticipated to be suitable for various other sensing applications.

Mimicking nature: The reversible formation of self-assembled nanostructures of selenium-containing peptides can be controlled by redox triggers (see scheme, VC=vitamin C). As a consequence, the catalytic activity of these peptides is switchable. These results should lead to the development of nature-mimicking smart materials with promising properties.

A class of its own: A new class of fullerene C₆₀ hosts—polymeric in nature—has been developed by careful design of the molecular structure of the polymer repeat unit and the mode of interaction between the repeat unit and C₆₀ (see picture). As these hosts are synthesized by free-radical polymerization, polymer hosts with various chemical compositions and architectures can be constructed readily by appropriate design of the receptor monomer.

Polygons: [8]Circulenes were easily prepared by Pd-catalyzed annulations of tetraiodotetraphenylenes with alkynes. Their saddle-shaped structure with an [8]radialene character was identified by X-ray crystallography. Similar to 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene, they have a tub-shaped eight-membered ring, but all of the bond lengths and bond angles are almost equal. Variable-temperature NMR investigations showed interesting dynamic behavior.

Golden aryne? Gold aryne complexes are inferred as transition states in dual gold-catalyzed cyclizations of cis-enediynes (see scheme; DCE=1,2-dichloroethane). They are better described as ortho-aurophenyl cations, which react with weak nucleophiles and undergo facile intramolecular insertions into C(sp³)H bonds. Indanes, fused heteroarenes, and phenol derivatives are readily prepared using this method.

Helpful elements: A facile bottom-up method using citric acid and L-cysteine as a precursor has been developed to prepare graphene quantum dots (GQDs) co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur. A new type and high density of surface state of GQDs arises, leading to high yields (more than 70 %) and excitation-independent emission. FLQY=fluorescence quantum yield.

Particle get-together: Surface functionalization with a branched copolymer surfactant is used to create responsive inorganic particles that can self-assemble in complex structures. The assembly process is triggered by a pH switch that reversibly activates multiple hydrogen bonds between ceramic particles (see picture; yellow) and soft templates (n-decane; green).

Discrimination among equals: A catalytic method for the selective oxidation of unprotected glycosides, both monosaccharides and disaccharides, has been developed. The resulting ketosaccharides are isolated in moderate to excellent yields. This approach provides a basis for protecting-group-free synthetic transformations of carbohydrates.

Heart of gold (or silver): The pseudo-D_2d distorted MPd₁₄ cubic kernel of [(μ₁₄-M)Pd₂₂(CO)₂₀(PEt₃)₈]⁺ cations, with M=Au (1), Ag (2), has an encapsulated M atom (see picture; yellow) coordinated to eight cubic corner (black) and six face-capping Pd atoms (gray). Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained (28–60 % yields) from two-step/one-pot reactions of a Pd₁₀ precursor with CF₃CO₂H followed by coinage-metal ion exchange of protons.

The thiopeptide antibiotic baringolin has been synthesized, and its structure and stereochemistry have been confirmed. The use of a strategy based on palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings permitted a modular construction of this natural product.

Licensed to kill: A new antibiotic, anthracimycin (see scheme), produced by a marine-derived actinomycete in saline culture, shows significant activity toward Bacillus anthracis, the bacterial pathogen responsible for anthrax infections. Chlorination of anthracimycin gives a dichloro derivative that retains activity against Gram-positive bacteria, such as anthrax, but also shows activity against selected Gram-negative bacteria.

Rather crafty: 1,1-Difluoroallenes bearing an aryl group and a cyclopentene moiety undergo indium(III)-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts-type cyclization with subsequent ring expansion and dehydrogenation to afford fluorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in high yields. The introduction of an Ar group was effected by in situ halogenation of the intermediary indium species and a subsequent Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.

Rapid and efficient radioiodination of aryl and heteroaryl bromides has been achieved using a nickel(0)-mediated halogen-exchange reaction. This transformation gives direct access to [¹²³I]- and [¹²⁵I]-imaging agents for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), such as 5-[¹²³I]-A85380 (see scheme, Boc=tert-butyloxycarbonyl, cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene, TFA=trifluoroacetic acid).

High turnover: An highly efficient catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of δ-aryl-δ-ketoesters has been realized by using the chiral spiroiridium catalyst (R)-1. Chiral 1,5-diol products are obtained with excellent enantioselectivity and turnover numbers (TONs) as high as 100 000. TOF=turnover frequency.

CC bond construction: A palladium-catalyzed oxidative CH/CH cross-coupling is shown to forge CC bonds rather than CC bonds through reactions of indolin-2-ones or benzofuran-2-ones with O-benzoyl hydroxylamines in the absence of an added oxidant.

A multitalented system: N-Migratory oxytrifluoromethylation and one-pot three-component reactions of allylamines as well as the aminotrifluoromethylation of alkenyl amines all proceeded efficiently in the presence of the Togni reagent (1) and CuI to afford a variety of β-trifluoromethylamine derivatives (see scheme).

Palladium and CO: Carbonylation of 1 with [Pd(tfa)₂(±)-L1] (tfa=trifluoroacetate) affords the spirofuranone 2 with inversion of the stereochemistry at C17 in 96 % yield. C17-epi-1 also gave the same product 2 with retention of the stereochemistry at C17. Labelling studies show that ¹³CO was incorporated into the C5′ position of the furanone ring. The first asymmetric version of this new reaction was achieved.

Breakthrough: A novel catalyzed direct highly selective CC_sp bond functionalization of alkynes to amides has been developed. Nitrogenation is achieved by the highly selective CC_sp bond cleavage of aryl-substituted alkynes. The oxidant-free and mild conditions and wide substrate scope make this method very practical.

Going to SEA(lide): Total chemical synthesis of a 162-residue glycoprotein analogue of the monoglycosylated human GM2-activator protein (GM2AP) was achieved. Key steps were the use of N-sulfanylethylanilide (SEAlide) peptides in the kinetic chemical ligation synthesis of a large peptide fragment, and a convergent native chemical ligation for final fragment assembly.

Visible advance: A mild, one-pot Stadler–Ziegler process for CS bond formation has been developed. The method employs the photoredox catalyst [Ru(bpy)₃Cl₂]⋅6 H₂O irradiated with visible light. A variety of aryl–alkyl and diaryl sulfides were prepared from readily available arylamines and aryl/alkylthiols in good yields. The use of a photo microreactor led to a significant improvement with respect to safety and efficiency.

Tada! Highly functionalized chiral dibenzazepinones are obtained by a mild palladium(0)-catalyzed enantioselective CH arylation with excellent selectivities by using simple taddol phosphoramidite ligands. The amide tether allows exclusive regioselectivity through a rare eight-membered palladacycle intermediate.

Copper-catalyzed bond scission of pentafluorobutane-1,3-diones generates difluoroenolates that react with aldehydes to give a wide range of chiral α,α-difluoro-β-hydroxy ketones within a few hours in up to 99 % yield and 92 % ee. The synthetic utility of this reaction is demonstrated with the stereoselective synthesis of a chiral anti-1,3-diol exhibiting a central difluoromethylene unit and efficient conversion to a 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxy carboxylic acid.

Capped and gowned: A two-step approach can be used to site-specifically modify the 5′-cap of eukaryotic mRNAs. First, a trimethylguanosinesynthase variant recognizes the m⁷G cap structure and introduces bioorthogonal groups using S-adenosyl-L-methionine-based cosubstrates. Then, the enzymatically introduced reporter groups are further modified by thiol–ene or CuAAC click chemistry (see scheme).

By embedding an azobenzene unit into a chiral scaffold, switching of azobenzene from the trans-(P) isomer to the cis-(P) isomer and back was achieved (black arrows in picture). The embedding leads to a flipping process in which the phenyl rings can only move directly towards one another in the switching process.

A perfect match: Silver deposition is one of the fastest electrochemical reactions, even though the Ag⁺ ion loses more than 5 eV solvation energy in the process. This phenomenon, an example of the enigma of metal deposition, was investigated by a combination of MD simulations, DFT, and specially developed theory. At the surface, the Ag⁺ ion experiences a strong interaction with the sp band of silver, which catalyzes the reaction.