Binary light-up aptameric sensors (BLAS) consist of two RNA or DNA strands and a fluorogenic organic dye added as a buffer component. When associated, the two strands form a dye-binding site, followed by an increase in fluorescence of the aptamer-bound dye. This Minireview summarizes the state of the art in BLAS development and outlines perspectives and applications.

The development of isoform-selective activity-based probes enables the identification of enzyme activity within living systems. In this Minireview, key examples are highlighted and the relevance of isoform differentiation, design strategies, and applications are discussed.

Porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks can be designed and constructed for powerful biomedical applications. Recent progress and future expectations are discussed in this Review.

This Review describes approaches to improve the performance of PEDOT:PSS/Si hybrid solar cells. The main strategies include modifying PEDOT:PSS, optimizing the light-trapping effect, passivating the silicon surface, inserting an interface layer, and improving the back contact and the transparent conductive electrode.

A convergent single-step synthesis of sulfonamides directly from (hetero)arenes, SO₂, and amines by electrochemical C−H activation is presented. No prefunctionalization of the aromatic compound is required and halogen substituents are tolerated. The in situ formation of the amidosulfinate species serves a dual role as nucleophile and supporting electrolyte.

Multi-omics analysis, including affinity proteomics, revealed that the anticancer drug candidate BOLD-100/KP1339 may target the ribosomal proteins RPL10/RPL24 and GTF2I. Swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the observation of polyribosomes using imaging techniques indicate that BOLD-100 treatment may not only inhibit proliferation, but also lead to a functional disturbance of the ER.

The first application of a bidentate iodine(III)-based halogen bond donor as organocatalyst is presented. In three benchmark reactions, it markedly outperforms “classical” iodine(I)-based noncovalent organocatalysts. The bidentate mode of activation as well as the crucial relevance of halogen bonding are confirmed by comparison experiments.

The cluster compound [Mo₃S₁₃]²⁻ is an interesting model system for hydrogen evolution catalysis. Herein, we probe the protonation site of the cluster by coupling mass spectrometry with infrared action spectroscopy. One distinct band at 2450 cm⁻¹ together with DFT calculations and IRMPD kinetics reveals the nature of this S−H stretching vibration.

The self-metalation of 2H-tetraphenylporphyrin on the surface of MgO is believed to be feasible only at defect sites. It is shown that this reaction is promoted by charge transfer and does not necessarily require the presence of defects. Using ultrathin MgO films as substrate and tuning its work function allows the charge and metalation state of the adsorbed molecules to be controlled.

To realize on-demand microglia polarization for controllable ischemic stroke therapy, a sono-sensitive hybrid microglia machine was prepared. Platelet membrane fused microglia have strong accumulation in cerebral vascular injury and can specifically polarize to anti-inflammatory phenotypes, upon external control by ultrasound irradiation, for angiogenesis and nerve regeneration, leading to survival and behavioral improvement of the stroke mice.

An adjustable pH transition point sensor is reported. It functions by regulating the FRET donor-acceptor ratio for dynamic pH visualization of a tumor through NIR-II ratiometric fluorescence imaging.

The ability of the chloride anion to simultaneously bind a thiourea catalyst and a hydrazone nucleophile results in a highly ordered termolecular transition structure stabilized by a cooperative set of noncovalent interactions, ultimately resulting in an exquisite stereocontrol in the dearomatization of isoquinolines.

Networking for success: N,N-Dialkylhydrazones have been identified as versatile nucleophiles with multiple-networking ability to enable self-assembled chiral contact ion pair complexation for enantioselective anion-binding catalysis. The resulting network of highly ordered noncovalent interactions with the anion as a central template motif led to high enantiomeric induction in a model Reissert-type reaction with quinolines (see scheme).

The non-noble metal-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of N-heteroaromatics, quinolines, has been realized by using a well-defined chiral pincer manganese catalyst, with up to 97 % ee and 3840 TON.

Mg-templated hard carbon as an extremely high capacity negative electrode material for Na-ion batteries is successfully synthesized by heating a freeze-dried mixture of magnesium gluconate and glucose. The hard carbon demonstrates an extraordinarily large reversible capacity of 478 mAh g⁻¹ with a high Coulombic efficiency of 88 % at the first cycle. Owing to the low potential operation, estimated energy density of the full cell is very high.

In N-doped carbon catalysts, pyridinic nitrogen (pyri-N) provides active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The roles of pyri-N in the ORR mechanism were investigated using pyri-N-containing molecules as model catalysts. In acidic media, pyri-N species were protonated to pyri-NH⁺ and then reduced upon the simultaneous thermal adsorption of O₂. The reduction was accelerated by hydrophobic environments.

A multimodal imaging study of chabazite is used to analyse emissive deposits. A notable difference is seen in the morphology of agglomerated surface deposits and larger subsurface deposits. Comparison of the distribution of organic residue throughout the crystal volume and XRF mapping is demonstrating that a fluorescence-based technique can also be used to indirectly comment on the compositional chemistry of the inorganic framework.

According to Loewenstein's rule Al−O−Al motifs are energetically unstable in zeolites; here, using atomic scale simulations, the limitations of this rule are demonstrated and a rational extension is shown.

Enantioselective Pd⁰-catalyzed C(sp²)−H arylation allows the synthesis of warped molecules possessing congested stereocenters. The polycyclic compounds were obtained in high yields and with good to excellent enantioselectivities using chiral bifunctional ligands and could serve to the bottom-up construction of chiral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

A concise total synthesis of (−)-berkelic acid in eight linear steps was developed. This synthesis features a Catellani reaction/oxa-Michael cascade for the construction of the isochroman scaffold, a one-pot deprotection/spiroacetalization operation for the formation of tetracyclic core structure, and a late-stage Ni-catalyzed reductive coupling for the introduction of the lateral chain.

Triazenyl alkynes serve as versatile building blocks in multicomponent reactions for diastereoselective synthesis of β-amino amides. The alkyne moiety acts as C2 fragment and the triazene group serves as directing group to modulate the transition state thus to achieve both chemical reactivity and diastereoselectivity. The triazene group also enables late-stage transformation. Diverse β-amino amides were rapidly assembled in an operationally simple and atom-economic process.

Optoelectronic properties of boron formazanate dyes are usually tuned by varying the substituents of the formazan moiety. We show that the wavelength and type of the lowest-energy electronic excitation of these compounds can also be modulated through variation of the charge, coordination number, and supporting ligands at the cationic boron atom.

The fabrication of photo-responsive hydrogel-nanopipette system ensures both precision single-cell operation and high cell preservation. Upon light-controlled, non-invasive operation, a high cell viability over 90 % as well as precise quantification of injection are obtained. Hence, a single-cell precise-dosing is achieved with a minimum lethal dose of 163–217 fg cell⁻¹.

Yaku'amide A, an anticancer peptide, was synthesized by a route featuring a one-pot anti dehydration–azide reduction–O→N acyl transfer process for stereospecific construction of the E- and Z-ΔIle residues. The β-hydroxy amino acids were produced by aminohydroxylation catalyzed by OsO₄.

A fluorinated carbanionic substituent enhanced both water solubility and lipophilicity of organic fluorescence dyes, including BODIPYs, fluorescein, and aminocoumarin, without impairing the photophysical properties of the parent fluorophores. Considering that incorporation of conventional ionic substituents reduces the lipophilicity, the present carbanion structure is a new and promising candidate to tune such macroscopic properties.

A photo-responsive prion-like foldamer is designed to act as spatio-temporal molecular template, which can be activated by selective photo-irradiation without changing other experimental conditions. It is able to induce a fast transition to the β-sheet conformation for aS monomers that undergo fibrillar polymerization. This method allows the study of protein aggregation relevant to misfolding diseases.

A cyclic Cu^II-Ni^II arrangement was efficiently formed using a flexible tripeptide and it exhibits effective antiferromagnetic spin coupling through the tripeptide amide groups.

Vacancy-ordered double perovskites, A₂RuCl₆ and A₂RuBr₆, were studied. The synthesis, crystal structures, and optical and magnetic properties of the materials were determined. Differences in the halide and the A cation size influence the charge-transfer spectra. On the basis of temperature-dependent magnetic moments, accurate values were estimated for the spin-orbit coupling constants of the Ru^IV d⁴ ion.

The palladium-catalyzed site-selective [3+2] annulation of amides with maleimides via the activation of ortho benzylic C−H and meta C−H bonds is reported. The presence of a 2-methylthiophenyl directing group is a key for the success of the reaction.

Concise synthesis of all-nitrogenated sugar derivatives was achieved in seven steps from commercially available monosaccharides. The sequential Overman rearrangement enabled formal simultaneous substitution of four or five hydroxy groups in the monosaccharides with amino groups. A variety of ANSs were available by the same synthetic route starting from different carbohydrates. Transformation and biological activities of ANS derivatives were also reported.

O-heteroacenes are now available by a one-step LOOP reaction by SET-induced S_NAr-radical de-tert-butylation-S_NAr. tBuOK serves as a reliable oxygen atom source and O²⁻ synthon, enabling synthesis of dibenzofuran, benzoxanthenes, and benzooxepines, and a range of longer ladder-type O-heteroacenes from fluorinated oligophenylenes.

By taking advantages of the high chemical stability and moderate reduction of Ti and Ce ions under reducing atmosphere, a novel Ti-based dual-phase oxygen-permeable membrane was developed for H₂ purification. The Ce_0.9Pr_0.1O_2−δ/Pr_0.1Sr_0.9Mg_0.1Ti_0.9O_3−δ (CPO-PSM-Ti) membrane has excellent chemical stability and mixed oxygen ionic-electronic conductivity under reducing atmospheres.

In an enzyme-based approach involving commercial isotope reagents, ergothioneine isotopologues with programmable ²H, ¹⁵N, ¹³C, ³⁴S, and ³³S isotope patterns were synthesized (see scheme). Such isotope-labeled ergothioneine derivatives are expected to be useful for deciphering the distribution, function, and metabolism of this compound in vivo. The labeling method is directly applicable to the synthesis of radio-isotopologues.

Multi-Layer π-stacked molecules are designed to realize efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Spatially confined molecules with stereochemical structures are constructed in donor/acceptor/donor architectures with different conformations. Their organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices exhibit high external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 28.0 %/26.6 %, respectively.

The cis isomer of an azobenzene-based artificial pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) racemase effectively deprotonates and racemizes L-alanine. A histidinyl unit bearing an imidazole group in close proximity to the racemizable C_α-H of the L-alanine aldimine residue is responsible for racemization using light as the stimulus. The trans isomer is less effective in terms of deprotonation and racemization.

A stable Au₂₃ nanocluster with preorganized open sites has been conducted through surface geometric mismatch strategy. The 35 % accessibility of Au₂₃ was confirmed by luminescent titration with 2-naphthalenethiol. The preorganized open sites make intact Au₂₃ a high-performance catalyst for aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol.

C–N coupling of aryl halides with nitroarenes is achieved by nickel catalysis under light irradiation and mild basic conditions, with no need for any external photosensitizers, offering a nitro version for the Buchwald–Hartwig C–N coupling reaction.

Newly structured smart surfactants, N⁺-(n)-N, were synthesized with a tertiary amine group at the end of the hydrophobic chain. At neutral and alkaline pH they behave as a cationic surfactant and can stabilize oil-in-water emulsions alone or, together with charged nanoparticles, conventional Pickering, or oil-in-dispersion emulsions. In acidic media they turn to the Bola form, resulting in demulsification, returning into the aqueous phase which is then recycled when triggered by pH change.

Well-defined active sites are created at the surface in mesoporous CeO₂ single crystals at the 2 cm scale. Complete CO oxidation with air at 67 °C is demonstrated with no degradation observed after operation of 300 hours.

An artificial photocatalysis system consisting of a carbon nitride polymer and phytic acid nickel biomimetic complex has been successfully constructed. It was adopted as an active and stable NIR harvesting photosystem toward scalable solar-to-H₂ production.

The sub-second crystal structure analysis of noble gas uptake by nanoporous γ-Mg(BH₄)₂ sheds light on its diffusion mechanisms and activation barriers. It resolves two kinetic barriers for noble gas adsorption: one with diffusion along the 1D channels and the other by diffusion between the channels via a smaller aperture.

The key step of Li-mediated non-aqueous NRR is electrocatalytic Li reduction. Gold greatly improved Li adsorption energy and thus highly accelerated the domino-like nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR).

A method for general asymmetric addition of arylborons to simple ketones is reported, which is enabled by nickel/N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis. Chiral tertiary alcohols are furnished with high efficiency and excellent levels of enantio- and chemocontrol, and the method offers a broad substrate scope.

The first kinetic resolution of hydroquinoline derivatives with α,α-disubstitution was realized through organocatalyzed asymmetric remote aminations with azodicarboxylates, which represents a powerful protocol for asymmetric synthesis of N-heterocycles with α-quaternary stereocenters. Mechanistic studies elucidate the reaction mechanisms and highlighted the role of attractive non-covalent interactions between the substrate and catalyst.

A nickel-catalyzed domino reductive cyclization of alkynes and o-bromoaryl aldehydes provided straightforward access to biologically significant indanones and spiroindanone pyrrolidine derivatives (see scheme). The reaction was found to be tolerant of a variety of functional groups and proceeded in good yields with excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity.

The (R) enantiomer of Praziquantel is more active against schistosomiasis (bilharzia, snail fever). The cheaper, commonly used, racemate can be deracemized via a conglomerate derivative to this enantiomer, which is obtained in 98 % ee using a flow system in which Pd-catalyzed high-temperature racemization is coupled to low-temperature cycled crystallization.

A new type of ultra-strong C₂H₂ nano-trap featuring the synergistic effect of multiple open metal sites has been proposed for separating C₂H₂/CO₂ mixture gas. The unique C₂H₂ nano-trap shows the strongest binding interaction with C₂H₂ and a benchmark for C₂H₂/CO₂ separation. The binding mechanism for C₂H₂ was studied through single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments and molecular simulation studies.

A series of amino acid functionalized phenazines for AORFB negolytes have been synthesized and studied. The 3,3′-(phenazine-1,6-diylbis(azanediyl))dipropionic acid (1,6-DPAP) full cell against a ferrocyanide posolyte with 1.0 M electron concentration has an OCV of 1.15 V and an extremely low capacity fade rate of 0.5 % per year.

The magnetic hysteresis of a metallacrown magnet opens after introducing axial ferromagnetic by linking two mono-decker Dy[15-MC_Cu-5] units with a single hydroxide bridge to give the double-decker {Dy[15-MC_Cu-5]}₂ single-molecule magnet in which the anisotropy axes of the two Dy^III ions are nearly collinear and the magnetic relaxation times are approximately 200 000 times slower than for the mono-decker unit.

A CRISPR/Cas9-mediated triple-line lateral flow assay was developed and combined with multiplex reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) for simultaneous dual-gene diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. With this platform, the cell-cultured SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA standards, and nasopharyngeal swab clinical samples could be sensitively and specifically detected.

A cornucopia: Sessile soft corals as well as certain higher plants produce a multitude of casbane diterpenes with different oxygenation patterns. A new synthetic approach to this family of natural products (see structural framework) was designed that allows a large subset to be encompassed, yet is short, efficient, and selective. Key to success was a combination of catalytic cyclopropanation, alkyne metathesis, and trans-hydrometalation chemistry.

The subtle discrepancy between the experimental and theoretical structures of the Ph₂CO-(H₂O)₃ complex has been unveiled. An open-looped structure, instead of the cyclic structure, of the water trimer moiety above one of the π clouds was determined by rotational spectroscopy.

A non-catalytic, mild, and easy-to-handle protecting group switching normal-electron-demand or inverse-electron-demand 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between bi- or mono-N-protected Dha and C,N-cyclic azomethine imines is disclosed and applied in the late-stage peptide modification, labeling, and peptide–drug conjugation.

The membrane orientation of the hepatitis C virus NS5A protein was assessed by combining a cell-free protein synthesis approach with highly sensitive ¹H-detected solid-state NMR. Insertion of lipids chelated with a paramagnetic Gd³⁺ ion allowed to orient the protein with respect to its membrane anchor using PRE. This information allowed to propose a model for the interaction of NS5A with a direct acting antiviral.

The rational design of a novel class of trivalent thrombin inhibitors is described through the hybridization of natural sulfopeptides produced by blood feeding organisms. The hybrid sulfopeptides were rapidly assembled using peptide ligation chemistry and shown to exhibit femtomolar inhibition constants against thrombin. A lead inhibitor also showed potent inhibition of thrombin generation and platelet aggregation in vitro, as well as antithrombotic effects in a murine model.

An organocatalytic method for the enantioselective conjugate addition of carbon radicals to aliphatic and aromatic enals is reported. The system imparts consistently high stereoselectivity for the interception of a wide variety of radicals, including highly reactive primary radicals. The protocol also serves to develop radical cascade processes leading to stereochemically dense chiral products in one-step.

A strategy was developed for selective growth of isomeric covalent organic frameworks by designing monomer isomers and tuning reaction conditions. Three A₂B₂ type tetraphenyl benzene monomers (p-, m-, and o-TetPB) afford five different 2D TetPB-COF isomers that exhibit selective adsorption of vitamin B₁₂ owing to a great difference in their pore shape and size.

Challenging macrolactones can now be modularly assembled through a photocatalytic aerobic oxidative ring expansion of cyclic ketones. With the assistance of an organophotocatalyst, α-alkoxyketones can be transformed into macrolactones with 20 min of blue LED irradiation, ultimately enabling the rapid assembly of a large collection of structurally diverse lactones.

A genetically encoded all-DNA nanomedicine with targeted gene regulation property was produced from E. coli after a range of bioprocessing. This study provides a new approach for production of DNA nanomedicines, which will greatly promote their clinical applications in the future.

The ROS of type I mechanism generated from AIEgen photosensitizers can reeducate the tumor-associated macrophages towards M1 phenotype, leading to a complete ablation of the tumor without recurrence through single PDT treatment.

Phosphocholine derivative of docetaxel-conjugated lithocholic acid can form stable sub-100 nm nanomicelles (DTX-PC NMs). DTX-PC NMs exhibit superior tolerance and pharmacokinetics over FDA-approved formulation. DTX-PC NMs can retard tumor progression in murine models and induce upregulation of tumor suppressor genes. Superior pharmacokinetic profiling in non-human primates makes them an ideal platform for clinical applications.

Anthracene-based π-congested cyclic dimer and tetramer were obtained using Ni(cod)₂. These cyclic π-clusters exhibit narrow HOMO–LUMO gaps, reflecting the face-to-face distance between the anthracene units. This π-congestion endows the cyclic anthracene dimer with multi-stimuli responsiveness such as photoisomerization and thermal reversion, accompanied by chromism, mechanochromism, and the photosalient effect.

Taking advantage of the useful emitting features of two platinum complexes, we show how the media regulates the assembly pathways from self-sorting to an unprecedented reversible, dynamic molecular wrapping of a complex on another assembled structure.

An unusual reductase (mnOpccR) in phytosterol catabolism is found to catalyze the formation of 4-HBC through two different routes. Inactivation or overexpression of mnOpccR leads to exclusive production of 4-androstenedione (4-AD) and 4-HBC from phytosterols. By a two-step synthesis, 4-HBC can be further efficiently converted into progesterone (PG). This work provides two green and economical methods for 4-AD and PG manufacturing.

Hierarchically porous biocatalytic MOFs provide sufficient space for accommodation of enzymes to reorientate and spread in their lower surface energy state as well as to decrease the inherent barriers to accelerate the diffusion of reactants and intermediates. The promoted intermolecular correlation of enzymes and MOFs, and polyphenol coating, safeguards the enzymes from inactivation, showcasing their promise for diverse biotechnological applications.

Self-assembly of Ada-MOC and host–guest interaction with β-cyclodextrin-conjugated polyethylenimine (PEI-βCD) affords supramolecular nanoparticles. Hierarchical self-assembly of Ada-MOC and PEI-βCD maintains high efficiency and orthogonality in the presence of protein, enabling protein encapsulation into nanoparticles for intracellular protein delivery for therapeutic application and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.

A first crystal structure for a novel GCase activator is obtained and a novel non-inhibitory binding mode at a dimer interface, rationalizing the observed structure–activity relationship, is identified. Mechanistic insights and key information for future drug discovery efforts towards GCase activation are provided.

High-energy magnesium hybrid full batteries were built by coupling a Mg_1.5VCr(PO₄)₃ cathode with an FeVO₄ anode in an aqueous/organic Mg²⁺/Na⁺ hybrid electrolyte. Benefiting from enhanced electrochemistry and carrier-hosting potential compensation, the batteries delivered a high voltage plateau and a capacity that is ≥1.75-fold higher than those in conventional aqueous electrolytes.

DNA quadruplex and triplex nanosensors are designed for simultaneously monitoring of K⁺ and pH by assembling upconversion nanoparticle luminophores and gold nanoparticle quenchers. Co-delivery of the two sensors with ATP stimulation indicates lysosomal acidification is accompanied with the efflux of K⁺.

Mixtures of poor solvents are always not poor. Water and amphiphilic organic solvents (poor solvents), that individually promote the supramolecular polymerization of cationic π-systems, readily depolymerize them into monomers in their mixtures (good solvent). Segregation of water and organic solvents around the molecular surface of the π-system is the key for this surprising phenomenon.

A photoinduced C(sp³)−H trifluoromethylation reaction of alkanes was developed by employing bpyCu(CF₃)₃ as a multifunctional reagent: photoinduced-reaction initiator, precursor of the hydrogen-atom-transfer reagent, and trifluoromethyl anion source (see scheme). The operatively simple reaction enables the direct, late-stage trifluoromethylation of complex molecules under mild reaction conditions.

A highly efficient strategy for the rapid assembly of bicyclooctadienes starting from simple diazo esters and EBX reagents through a one-pot sequential oxyalkynylation/ [4+2] allene-arene cycloaddition reaction at low temperature (23–90 °C) is reported. The obtained products are good chiral ligands for rhodium-catalyzed conjugate addition.

Oxidations with reducing agents? Fact and not fiction in a reaction featuring titanocene(III) catalysis, H-atom transfer, and an organometallic oxygen rebound. Acetals and hemiaminals can be readily prepared from benzylic ethers and amines, respectively, under mild reaction conditions and in high yields. The structures of the radical intermediates were elucidated by the CREST program.

Porphyrinic zirconium MOFs act as heterogeneous photocatalysts for photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization of various monomers under a broad range of wavelengths, producing polymers with high monomer conversions, narrow molecular weight distributions, low dispersity and good chain-end fidelity

A series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-bridged furazans was prepared. The thermal stability, friction sensitivity, impact sensitivity, detonation velocity, and detonation pressure were evaluated. The hydroxylammonium salt 8 shows great potential as a high-performance insensitive explosive. The synthetic method for introducing 1,3,4-oxadiazole and the systematic study of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-bridged compounds provide a theoretical basis for future energetics design.

The down-sizing of metal oxide semiconductors to ultrathin nanosheets creates intrinsic crystalline defects which alters the electronic structure of the semiconductor and activates SERS performance as a result of promoted charge-transfer efficiency and charge-transfer pathways.

A radical cyclization initiated by metal-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) was used to construct the cis-decalin framework, further leading to the asymmetric synthesis of dankasterones A and B and periconiastone. Interconversion of dankasterone B and periconiastone A was observed.

In this work we introduce the synthesis of a pillar-like Co-CAT-1 MOF nanoarchitecture on gold-coated woven stainless steel meshes. These nanostructured mesh surfaces feature extreme superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic wetting properties, allowing for gravity-driven, highly efficient oil–water separation with ultra-high flux of up to nearly one million L m⁻² h⁻¹.

While plastic waste upcycling has attracted increasing worldwide concern, catalytic routes capable to convert a mixture of plastics selectively and effectively into useful chemicals remain exceedingly rare. Here, we report a salient example of the catalytic upgrading of various aromatic plastic waste to simple arenes in high yield via the selective cleavage of interunit C−O and C−C linkages.

Shape-switching liquid crystal elastomers are formulated where light is used to trigger a shape change which is then stable indefinitely. The original shape can be recovered on heating. These materials can be 4D printed into reconfigurable Braille-like actuators capable of displaying letters “L”, “C” and “E” by switching the shape-morphing of the Archimedean chord patterns with UV light and heating.

A new concept for asymmetric hydroboration of ketones is shown, in which an ammonium halide initiates a hydride transfer to a Lewis acid activated ketone. Advantages of the bifunctional catalyst include remarkable turnover numbers (up to 15 400, 50 ppm catalyst) and high enantioselectivity. The catalyst was recycled 10 times still providing high efficiency. Mechanistic and DFT studies confirm the cooperative mechanism.

Biological alkylation is highly selective, yet it depends on complex leaving groups. Now, promiscuous and engineered enzymes achieve selective enzymatic alkylation using simple haloalkanes.

Self-organization in a system of fatty acids and activated amino acids leads to vesicle-encapsulated amyloids. The fatty-acid vesicles act both as a filter, allowing the selective passage of activated amino acids, and as a barrier, blocking the diffusion of the amyloidogenic peptides that form spontaneously inside the vesicles. Hence, a simple mixture of prebiotically plausible starting materials leads to organizationally complex structures.