Hype in science is commonplace, compounded by the hypocrisy of those who engage in or tolerate it while disapproving of the consequences. These are first steps along a slippery slope of hype, hypocrisy, data falsification, and dissemination of fake science, encouraged by systemic drivers in the contemporary structure of the science establishment. Collective, concerted intervention is required to discourage entry to this dangerous pathway; chemists must play an active role.

From synthesis to function: [2.2]Paracyclophane (PCP) is a prevalent scaffold in asymmetric synthesis, π-stacked polymers, energy materials, and functional parylene coatings that finds broad applications in bio- and materials science. This Minireview highlights the enormous progress made in PCP chemistry that has enabled the fine-tuning of its structural and functional properties.

Getting into shape: This Minireview gives a summary of the latest progress in characterizing and modeling the equilibrium shape of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in reactive environments through the combination of state-of-the-art in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) experiments and the multiscale structure reconstruction (MSR) model.

The low efficiency of ammonium fertilizers used in agriculture contributes to significant environmental issues and economic losses. This Review discusses the chemistry and enzymatic mechanisms of microbial nitrification in the soil and highlights phytochemicals which can act as nitrification inhibitors, thus providing opportunities to stabilize ammonium in farm soils to increase the efficiency of nitrogen use.

Taking the lead: A large library of fluorinated fragments was designed and synthesized to address the need for better sampling of chemical space and easier screening workflows. The incorporation of fluorine enabled efficient screening by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy, which was demonstrated for screening against four disease-relevant targets, providing a series of starting points for drug discovery.

In phase: δ-Lactams having a chiral quaternary carbon center were synthesized through an asymmetric alkylation of 3-arylpiperidin-2-ones under phase-transfer conditions. A 2,2-diarylvinyl group on the δ-lactam nitrogen atom plays a crucial role as a novel protecting group and an achiral auxiliary for improving both yield and enantioselectivity of the reaction.

The biporous nature of UiO-66 is utilized to incorporate conducting polymer moieties into the voids of the metal–organic framework. In this way the resulting nanocomposites display significant porosity and simultaneous million-fold enhancement in electrical conductivity along with ultralow thermal conductivity.

A rhodium(I)-BINAP-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition of enynes with alkynes has been developed. Diverse fused tricyclic hydronaphthofuran scaffolds with three consecutive stereogenic centers were constructed in one step from easily available materials with excellent chemo-, regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivity. Notable features of these reactions include 100 % atom economy, very broad scope, and mild reaction conditions.

A microfluidic device, consisting of a microfluidic chip and capillary, was developed to produce multicompartmental particles. By adjusting various parameters of the device, the size of the particles and the number of different compartments within the particle could be varied. These were used to encapsulate magnetic beads, fluorescent nanoparticles, and cells.

Adaptable porphyrin-based macrocycles: Macrocycles containing aromatic porphyrin and quinoidal bithiophene units were synthesized by a template-free method. The molecules adopted a distorted conformation with local aromaticity in the neutral state, but a more planar geometry with global aromaticity in the dication state (see picture).

A tip of the hap: A time-resolved chemical proteomics strategy enables host and pathogen temporal interaction profiling (HAPTIP) for tracking the entry of bacteria into host cell.

Design! The factorial design approach was adopted for synthesizing phase-pure AgInO₂ using a hydrothermal route. Silver nitrate and indium nitrate with KOH as a mineralizer promote the formation of AgInO₂ in the form of hexagonal nanoplates. The optimum condition of 180 °C and 4 m KOH was the crucial combination to obtain the pure phase.

Wacker anti attack: Asymmetric anti attack of weak nucleophiles on cyclic alkenes proceeded without the aid of directing groups or tethering of the alkene to the palladium center. The three-component oxyallenylation reaction (see scheme) gave trans adducts exclusively with excellent enantioselectivity and is applicable to a wide range of oxygen nucleophiles and some electron-poor aryl amines.

The separation of haloalkane isomers is of high practical value in both synthetic chemistry and petrochemical industry. Herein, a simple-operating and energy-efficient separation method by using nonporous leaning towerarene crystals to separate bromoalkane isomers is provided.

The speed of light: The syntheses of polycyclic alkaloids (−)-FR901483 and (+)-TAN1251C through a common spirolactam intermediate are reported. Photocatalytic olefin hydroaminoalkylation brings together three readily available building blocks to produce the majority of the carbon framework in one step, leading to concise total syntheses.

Let's Cu hydrogenate: Cage-type copper hydride clusters with the tetraphosphine ligand, dpmppm, have an unprecedented apex-truncated supertetrahedral {Cu₉H₇}²⁺ and square-face-capped cuboctahedral {Cu₁₆H₁₄}²⁺ framework. An unsymmetric {Cu₈H₆}²⁺ cluster promotes the catalytic hydrogenation of CO₂ to formate in the presence of strong base.

A Type I porous liquid is synthesized by transforming porous organic cages into porous ionic liquids via a supramolecular complexation strategy. Simple physical mixing of 18-crown-6 with an anionic porous organic cage affords a porous ionic liquid with anionic porous organic cages as the anionic parts and 18-crown-6/potassium ion complexes as the cationic parts.

A high-performance cathode for use in deep-cycle aqueous zinc-ion batteries was created by extracting oxygen from vanadium oxide lattices. The mobility of Zn²⁺ is facilitated and capacity and reversibility of the battery thereby improved. The cathode achieves a stability of 200 cycles with a high capacity of 400 mAh g⁻¹ and a utilization efficiency of 95 %, and a long-term stability of 2 000 cycles at a utilization of 67 %. Key: graphene oxide (GO).

GiantCEST: Giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) loaded with Ln^III complexes can be used as chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI contrast agents. Upon osmotic shrinkage, GUVs yielded a saturation-transfer effect three orders of magnitude higher than small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs). Confocal microscopy showed that the shrinkage of GUVs resulted in multilamellar particles whereas the shrinkage of SUVs yields asymmetrical, discoidal particles.

Photochemical ligation between BODIPY thioether and propiolate, triggered by green light, enables formation of hydrogel and photo-patterning of bioactive molecules.

Direct conversion: 43 % alanine was achieved from crude glycerol over a Ru₁Ni₇/MgO catalyst. Ni-doped Ru remarkably promoted lactic acid amination, a key step in the reaction. The catalytic route creates new opportunities for glycerol utilization and enriches the substrate scope of renewable feedstock to access value-added amino acids.

Pulstrode! A solid-state reference electrode principle is proposed that relies on a self-referencing Ag/AgI element. An applied current pulse generates iodide ions that dictate the reference electrode potential, which are subsequently recaptured.

A new generation: Reduction of the uranium(III) metallocene [(η⁵-C₅ⁱPr₅)₂UI] with potassium graphite produces the “second-generation” uranocene [(η⁵-C₅ⁱPr₅)₂U], which contains uranium in the formal divalent oxidation state. The geometry of [(η⁵-C₅ⁱPr₅)₂U] is that of a perfectly linear bis(cyclopentadienyl) sandwich complex.

Seeing is believing: A newly developed approach for monitoring living-cell metabolism in a cell-friendly environment is reported, paving the way for bringing NMR spectroscopy closer to personalized medicine.

Total determination: The total structure determination of an alkynyl-protected gold nanocluster, Au₂₂(^tBuC≡C)₁₈, has been achieved. It consists of a Au₁₃ cuboctahedron kernel and three [Au₃(^tBuC≡C)₄] trimeric staples. The cluster displays strong thermochromic luminescence characterized as thermally activated delayed fluorescence.

Atomically anchored ferric iron on ultrathin titanium dioxide (Fe-UTN) was synthesized through an adsorption–oxidation strategy. Benefiting from the regulated spin-state of Fe^III and improved electronic conductivity, the Fe-UTN exhibits outstanding OER performance over noble metal catalysts (that is, RuO₂ and IrO₂).

Into the black: The energy-storage properties of black phosphorus are reported for Li/Na/K ion batteries. BP shows the lowest utilization for K⁺ storage than for Na⁺ and Li⁺, which is ascribed to the highest formation energy and the lowest ion diffusion coefficient of the final potassiation product K₃P compared with Li₃P and Na₃P.

Organothiols with various functional endgroups could be self-assembled into (water) stable and adaptable ultra-flat organothiol monolayers on muscovite mica over homogenous areas as large as 1 cm². The strength of the mica–organothiol interactions could be tuned by exchanging the potassium surface ions for copper ions.

Catalytic enantioselective installation of two unique functional groups into an unactivated alkene can rapidly increase the molecular complexity of a compound. Reported here is a Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-electrophilic 1,2-carboamination of terminal alkenes which permits rapid access to a variety of β-chiral amines with an enantioenriched aryl-substituted quaternary carbon center.

A practical approach for the asymmetric synthesis of 4H-3,1-benzoxazines was achieved by the kinetic resolution of 2-amido benzyl alcohols in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid (CPA). The method demonstrates broad substrate scope and excellent kinetic resolution (with an s factor of up to 94).

A simple thioetherification between 1,1-diphenylethene as an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-imparting unit and sodium sulfinates provides a new route for the conversion of compounds with aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) properties into AIE luminogens. This reaction delivers up to 99 % yield under mild conditions without additional oxidant, and gives access to novel trisubstituted-ethene-type AIEgens with potential for use in sensing applications.

Connect four: Heteronuclear Group 3 metal/iron carbonyl anion complexes ScFe(CO)₃⁻, YFe(CO)₃⁻, and LaFe(CO)₃⁻ are prepared in the gas phase and studied by mass-selective infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy as well as quantum-chemical calculations. The results show an unprecedented quadruple bond between the two metal atoms.

A collective total synthesis of 11- deoxylandomycins is reported using Pd-catalyzed asymmetric hydroalkoxylation of alkoxyallene as the key strategy. This de novo approach allowed for an access to various natural and non-natural congeners of 11-deoxylandomycins.

Flower power: Electrosynthesized flower-like γ-In₂Se₃ with abundant defects and a 3D structure on carbon paper (F-γ-In₂Se₃/CP) shows outstanding performance for the electroreduction of CO₂ to syngas.

Let's see: A rhodium-catalyzed remote C(sp³)−H borylation of silyl enol ethers (SEEs, E/Z mixtures) by alkene isomerization and hydroboration is reported. This method is compatible with an array of SEEs, including linear and branched SEEs derived from aldehydes and ketones, and provides direct access to a broad range of structurally diverse 1,n-borylethers in excellent regioselectivities and good yields. These compounds are precursors to various valuable chemicals, such as 1,n-diols and aminoalcohols.

Big metal magic: Dihydrosilylation of aryl- and silyl-substituted internal alkynes is successfully achieved by a lanthanum bis(amido) ate complex to yield geminal bis- and tris(silanes), respectively. The high activity could be attributed to the large lanthanum ion and anionic nature of the catalyst.

Break the cycle: Simple branched acyclic vinyl and alkynyl fluoro ketones undergo direct asymmetric Mannich reactions with aldimines to form β-fluoro amines bearing tetrasubstituted fluorine stereocenters. The zinc-ProPhenol-catalyzed transformation proceeds in excellent yield, and with high levels of diastereo- (up to <20:1) and enantioselectivity (up to 99 %).

Shine on you crazy Pd! The dicarbofunctionalization of tri- and tetrasubstituted olefins to form (hetero)cyclic compounds under photoinduced palladium catalysis is described. A broad range of highly decorated olefins tethered to aryl or alkyl bromides were coupled with styrenes or acryl amides. One or two contiguous all-carbon quaternary centers can be formed in a single step with this procedure.

Protein spins in a new dimension: The correlation of five resonance frequencies of nuclear spins within one NMR experiment is now feasible for rapidly rotating protein solids by using projection spectroscopy. The dramatically reduced ambiguity means that the assignment of backbone resonances of proteins can be obtained automatically without the need for manual spectral analysis.

Origin of capacity decay: Structural evolutions within a primary LiNi_0.835Co_0.15Al_0.015O₂ (NCA83) particle, as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries, were investigated during various electrochemical processes using TEM. Significant reduction in the electrochemical capacity of NCA83 in the second charge is correlated with the development of nano-scale and micro-scale structural inversions.

Biocompatible in vivo solid-phase microextraction was used to measure 52 eicosanoids and other oxylipins directly in brains of awake moving rats with high temporal and spatial resolution. In vivo profiles of extracellular brain fluid did not reflect oxylipin concentrations in post-mortem tissue and provide a novel tool to elucidate oxylipin pathways and function.

Magnetic personality: Electrocrystallisation of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and the magnetic precursor [Co(pdms)₂] (H₂pdms=1,2-bis(methanesulfonamido)benzene) afforded a 3D conducting single-ion magnet. Multiple charge-transfer interactions between the components produce partial oxidation states for TTF, the Co ion, and the pdms ligand, allowing electrical conductivity at low temperatures.

Chemical pinching increases the distance between spin centers. This should result in reduced through-space exchange spin coupling. In naphthalene-bridged biscobaltocenes, the bridge plays a larger role than anticipated, with pinching leading to an increase of spin coupling. This is important for tuning interactions in spin wires for information transfer.

High-spin iron(III) complexes with an open coordination site for solvent interactions are effective T₁ MRI contrast agents in phantoms and in live mice. A coordinated water ligand and the deprotonation of a pendant alcohol stabilize the trivalent iron center to produce strong second-sphere water interactions.

Chemical proteomics and phenotypic profiling illustrate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a target of ezutromid, the first-in-class utrophin modulator for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ezutromid binds to AhR with an apparent K_D of 50 nm and functions as an AhR antagonist. Other reported AhR antagonists also upregulate utrophin, showing that this pathway, which is currently being explored in other clinical applications, could also be exploited in future DMD therapies.

Fishing around: The benzoxepane derivative A was effective in vivo, ameliorating both sickness behavior through anti-inflammation in LPS-induced neuroinflammatory mice model and cerebral ischemic injury through anti-neuroinflammation in rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Target fishing identified PKM2 as the target protein for A. Furthermore, A exhibited an anti-neuroinflammatory effect in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting PKM2-mediated glycolysis and NLRP3 activation.

Stereo sensing: The combination of optical sensing and machine learning streamlines the analysis of small amounts of complex stereochemical mixtures of chiral compounds based on a simple mix-and-measure workflow that uses inexpensive chemicals while cumbersome protection chemistry and any type of sample work-up are avoided.

A new NASICON-type high-voltage cathode material of Na₃V(PO₃)₃N was synthesized and its electrochemical performance was improved by carbon matrix decoration. An in-depth investigation of the material was performed through in situ XAS and XRD, and its 3D sodium pathways were clearly identified through DFT calculations.

HP-MOFs: A crystal-growth-dominated synthetic strategy is proposed to achieve hierarchically porous metal–organic frameworks. The HP-MOFs have a wide pore size distribution and an orderly distributed porosity in the radial direction. Benefitting from the hierarchical architecture, HP-MOFs exhibit enhanced catalytic efficiency in styrene oxidation.

Multi-wall Sn/SnO₂@carbon composite hollow nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and carbonization reduction. They have solid wire core that is wrapped by a double-wall-tube. This wire-in-double-wall-tube strategy perfectly combines high energy density and high cycling stability. It produces superior electrochemical performance, with a capacity of 986.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and 508.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹ after 2000 cycles.

V₃S₄@C in the shell: Ultrathin core–shell V₃S₄@C nanosheets assembled into hierarchical nanotubes are synthesized for alkali-ion batteries. Alkali-ion-dependent charge storage mechanisms are put forward with systematic in situ/ex situ structural/physicochemical characterizations and DFT calculations.

Earth-abundant elements and a built-in support: A novel iron porphyrin aerogel was prepared that has a very high concentration of atomically dispersed catalytic sites (9.7×10²⁰ sites g⁻¹) capable of catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solution (E_onset=0.92 V vs. RHE, TOF=0.25 e⁻ site⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 0.80 V vs. RHE).

Do the locomotion with me: A super-soft and super-elastic DNA robot is fabricated based on magnetic DNA hydrogel. Our DNA robot presents a shape-adaptive property and enables magnetically driven navigational locomotion in confined space, which can work as a vehicle to deliver living cells.

Cyanogen diluted in argon was reacted with laser-ablated Zn atoms to produce the NCZnCN and NCZnZnCN cyanides and their higher energy isocyanide counterparts, as well as ZnNC, which were isolated in excess argon at 4 K. CCSD(T) calculations find a short 2.367 Å Zn−Zn bond in the NCZnZnCN cyanide, and a short 2.347 Å Zn−Zn bond in the higher-energy isocyanide CNZnZnNC.

Copper surfer: The atomic-scale surface activation process of copper during CO oxidation was observed through environmental transmission electron microscopy. 2–3 atomic layers of the Cu surface are activated with CO and with the help of O₂, which intercalates into Cu lattices. CuO_x is also observed and believed to be an active species catalyzing the CO oxidation reaction.

Controlled growth of metallic nanoparticles at the surface and bulk of perovskite oxides induce strain and promote oxygen exchange with a methane stream leading to syngas production.