Dibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocines are a class of eight-membered heterocycles with a rigid, saddle-shaped conformation that exhibit distinct inherent chirality. A straightforward catalytic enantioselective synthesis method for these saddle-shaped structures has been disclosed through the asymmetric dimerization of 2-acylbenzoisocyanates, enabled by the cooperative catalysis of chiral phosphoric acid and 2-acylanilines. More details are discussed in the article by Yang et al. on page 1953—1959.

A machine learning-based comprehensive Bond Dissociation Energy (BDE) prediction model was established, which is useful for understanding the chemical properties and reactivities of molecules. Differential Structural and PhysicOChemical (D-SPOC) descriptors that reflected changes in molecules’ structural and physicochemical features in the process of bond homolysis were developed as input features, which enabled the precise prediction. More details are discussed in the article by Zhang et al. on page 1967—1974.

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of inherently chiral saddle-shaped dibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocines was achieved through chiral phosphoric acid catalyzed asymmetric dimerization of 2-acylbenzoisocyanates. Remarkably, the incorporation of corresponding 2-acylaniline as a co-catalyst significantly enhanced the reaction efficiency, providing products with excellent enantiopurity through a straightforward phase separation process.

A covalent organic framework (COF) with heavy-atom selenium (Se) was synthesized and applied into the window ledge photocatalytic oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides.

A D-SPOC model enables fast and accurate prediction of BDE across a variety of bond types. An online fast prediction platform is established free for the scientific community.

The construction of CdS/CFR core-shell structure provides a new avenue for catechol-formaldehyde resin in sustainable H₂O₂ photocatalytic synthesis with excellent AQY efficiency and photocatalytic stability.

A rhodium-catalyzed regioselective C—O and C—C bonds formation of 3-oxopent-4-enenitriles with alkynes has been proposed for the synthesis of polysubstituted 2H-pyrans. Different from the traditional “1-oxatrienes pathway”, this method for the synthesis of useful 2H-pyrans possesses certain highlights in terms of readily available substrates, stable and easily derivatized products, gentle and convenient operation process, and step and atom economy.

A general and straightforward catalytic method for the stereochemically defined synthesis of Danishefsky-type highly substituted dienes has been achieved through Pd-catalyzed chemo- and stereoselective dienylation of readily available propargylic esters.

In this work, we report a metal-organic frameworks (MOF) nanozymes-gated organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) biosensor. The bifunctional MOF could not only enable photo-induced charge transfer but also catalyze biomimetic precipitation for advanced OPECT biosensing.

Chiral BINAM-derived selenide/achiral acid co-catalyzed atroposelective electrophilic sulfenylation of pyrrole derivatives has been realized for the first time.

The report presented a method for generating a broad atomic oxygen (AO) beam with high flux-density. The feasibility of the method was verified through theoretical simulations. The device successfully generated high flux-density AO, which can facilitate the surface oxidation of materials. An AO-assisted atomic layer deposition process was employed to produce Al₂O₃ films that exhibited better performance.

A peptide-mimic phosphonium salt-catalyzed asymmetric reductant-free aerobic hydroxylation of α,β-unsaturated and/or β,ϒ-unsaturated compounds has been developed, which provided modular and practical access to challenging enantioenriched allylic alcohols in high regio- and stereoselectivities and excellent yields. This protocol is characterized by the easy availability of starting materials, simple operation, and good functional group compatibility.

A copper and photoredox dual-catalyzed multicomponent 1,4-perfluoroalkylcyanation of 1,3-enynes has been developed, allowing for the facile synthesis of structurally diverse perfluoroalkylated allenes.

A [2 + 1 + 1 + 1] cyclization reaction has been developed for the synthesis of multisubstituted β-pyrrolidinones from commercially available aryl methyl ketones, primary amines, and ethyl nitroacetate. In this I₂–DMSO-meditated process, the C—NO₂ bond of ethyl nitroacetate is cleaved, affording a C1 synthon, and the formation of two C—C and two C—N bonds and a quaternary carbon center are constructed in one pot. This method has good substrate compatibility and permits the late-stage modification of pharmaceutical compounds.

In this study, the bulk ring-opening copolymerization of bio-renewable δ-caprolactone and trans-hexahydro-(4,5)-benzofuranone was achieved to produce closed-loop recyclable copolyesters by using an organobase/urea binary catalyst at room temperature. The obtained copolyesters can be directly used as pressure sensitive adhesives, which exhibited comparable peel strength with the commercial PSA scotch tapes.

A fulleride based complex [Na(THF)₅]C₆₀ was isolated as single crystals, characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, EPR spectroscopy and SQUID measurement. The complex exhibits magnetic multistability with a large hysteresis loop, observed in the field of fullene chemistry for the first time. The magnetic multistability is associated with structural phase transitions.

An electrocatalytic multicomponent cascade cross-coupling for the synthesis of chalcogenosulfonates under transition-metal-, acid- and external-oxidant-free conditions in an undivided cell has been developed. The robustness of this protocol has also been highlighted by successful late-stage modification of complex and widely used molecules.

Weak solvent-driven prelithiation achieves efficient and uniform prelithiation effects, yielding LiF-rich, homogeneous, and stable solid electrolyte interphases without any alterations to the SiO_x or electrolyte. The prelithiation process splits the SEI film formation process into two parts: pre-decomposition of the organic component and post-filling of the inorganic component, which broadens the idea of SEI film modulation strategy.

Recent efforts have been devoted to leveraging polymer mechanochemistry in bio-relevant applications. This perspective is aimed at providing a conceptual overview of how mechanophore platforms are developed to release bioactive payloads and exploring biocompatible activation strategies for potential biomedical and clinical usage. The potential and challenges in relevant fields are discussed at the end.

This review examines key scientists who have made significant contributions to the emerging carbene chemistry of N-sulfonyl hydrazones. Current challenges in this field are summarized, and a brief outlook for future development is prospected.

An electrocatalytic multicomponent cascade cross-coupling for the synthesis of chalcogenosulfonates from indoles, sulfinic acid sodium salts and the simple chalcogen has been established. This approach does not require the use of transition metals, acids, and external oxidants. More details are discussed in the article by Gu et al. on page 2049—2055.

Chemical prelithiation based on prelithiation reagents is the efficient method to compensate for active Li⁺ and improve electrode ICE and energy density of SiO_x anode. In the efficient prelithiation reagent driven by the weak solvent cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME), the lithium-biphenyl compound carries Li⁺ and transfers it to the interior of the active material to achieve the aforementioned purpose. The entire process is analogous to “dragonfly skimming the surface of the water”, whereby the dragonfly's tail contacts the surface of the water and discharges the dragonfly eggs into the water, thus completing the reproductive behaviour. Lithium-biphenyl compounds act in the manner analogous to that of dragonflies, facilitating the transfer of Li⁺ to the active materials, thereby completing the prelithiation process. More details are discussed in the article by Wu et al. on page 2056—2065.