The cover picture shows a new and green transformation path for the synthesis of γ-valerolactone from biomass-derived ethyl levulinate, which is realized by iron-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation. γ-Valerolactone is a valuable chemical, which can be used as liquid fuel, food additive, solvent and also intermediate for organic synthesis. By utilizing Casey's catalyst and cheap isopropanol as hydrogen source, γ-valerolactone can be generated in 95% yield. Addition of catalytic amount of base is important to achieve good yield. More details are discussed in the communication by Fu et al. on page 405–408.

A novel and concise method for the direct synthesis of γ-nitro ketones and 1,3-dinitro compounds has been developed. It is the first time to report a domino reaction to synthesize aliphatic nitro compounds via domino Michael/retro-Claisen fragmentation reaction.

The conversion of biomass-derived ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone was realized efficiently by utilizing Casey's catalyst and isopropanol via catalytic transfer hydrogenation.

A novel methodology for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methanes by the reaction of aromatic aldehydes and indole in water has been developed, and a series of desired products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (from 65% to 97%) using 1.2 mg/mL α-chymotrypsin as biocatalyst.

A novel pseudorotaxane was synthesized by directly mixing CB[n] with [C4mim]Br, which form 3D structure by aid of hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure demonstrated that CB[6] and [C4mim]Br formed a complex with the ratio 1:1. Besides the bound guest, there were two free ones in the pseudorotaxane as the solvent.

Enantioselective synthesis of biologically active dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles has been achieved through a squaramide-catalysed Michael addition/Thorpe-Ziegler type cyclization cascade reaction between arylidenepyrazolones and malononitrile. A series of optically active dihydropyano[2,3-c]pyrazoles were obtained in excellent yields (up to 99%) and moderate to good enantioselectivities (up to 79% ee) under mild reaction conditions.

The fluorescent properties of a new planar Cu(II) coordination complex with conjugated, rigid and planar ligand in different organic solvents have been studied based on X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis and the viewpoint of controlling supramolecular aggregation/deaggregation through π-π stacking in different organic solvents.

Ladder polymers and model compounds were obtained through intramolecular cyclization reaction in the presence of acid from the precursors. The planar polymers and model compounds show untypical UV and PL properties for a rigid, planar, one-dimensional π-system. The regioisomers in intramolecular cyclization reaction can be clearly identified from syn- and anti-structures.

A Grubbs-Hoveyda pre-catalyst having a trimeric resting state is presented. It was characterized by NMR, HRMS and elemental analysis. Catalytic study for ring-closing metathesis was evaluated. Highly activity for RCM of many substrates was showed.

The fluorescence microscope images of different methyl viologen concentration (a, 0 µmol/L ; b, 38.89 µmol/L; c, 388.86 µmol/L and d, 3.89 mmol/L) droped onto 50% CdTe-paper-based substrates; e) intensity of the dotted plots from image a to d. The scale bar is 1000 µm.

A sequential extraction project, an HPLC-IT-MSⁿ and an HPLC-Q-TOF-MS method were successfully established to separate and identify the constituents of DZXW.

The application of helical poly[(S)-3-vinyl-2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl] (L*) in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes has been studied. The catalytic system employing 10 mol% of L* and 150 mol% of Ti(OⁱPr)₄ was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes, giving up to 99% enantiomeric excess (ee) and up to 93% yield of the corresponding secondary alcohol at 0°C. The chiral polymer can be easily recovered and reused without loss of catalytic activity as well as enantioselectivity.

Thermal and pH dual responsive P(NIPAM-co-VI) copolymer was used as carriers to load Ag nanoparticles for the first time. The nanoparticles could be stably dispersed at all pH values, and were favorable to be used as a catalyst at a wide pH range, but more efficient at low pH.

Cu(I)-(DAB-R) complexes were synthesized and used as catalyst for N-arylation. Cu(I)Cl(DAB-ⁱPP)₂ was found to be an efficient catalyst system for N-arylation of diarylamines and anilines with aryl halides, affording the desired products in good to excellent yields.

An intermolecular two CC bond formation procedure for the synthesis of carbocycles mediated by hypervalent iodine(III) reagents was developed.

A series of new chalcone derivatives which showed activator effect on tyrisinase were synthesized for the first time. Several compounds exhibited better activities than the control drug. Aftert that, the SAR of the compounds was summarized. Besides, several crystal structures of the compounds were got.