Chiral 1,3-substituted fragments are ubiquitous in pharmaceutical molecules and natural products, prompting the development of numerous methods to access these structures. Herein, we developed a nickel-catalyzed enantioselective migratory arylboration reaction of boron-containing alkenes using a chiral 1,2-diamine ligand, yielding a range of chiral 1,3-bis(boronates) with high enantioselectivity. The protocol is characterized by its simple operation, good substrate tolerance, and high application value. More details are discussed in the article by Yin et al. on pages 261—267.

gem-Difluoroalkenes are highly regarded for their use as fluorinated synthetic building blocks and are also recognized for their numerous applications in the pharmaceuticals. A practical zinc-mediated approach for the synthesis of 3-gem-difluorovinyl lactams through a sequential reductive hydrodehalogenation has been disclosed. Additionally, such a strategy could also enable the generation of the high value-added vicinal dideuterated gem-difluoroalkenes with excellent deuterium (D) incorporation at both α- and β-positions with the presence of inexpensive deuterium oxide. More details are discussed in the article by Hu et al. on pages 255—260.

We report a practical method for synthesis of 3-gem-difluorovinyl lactams and their dideuterated derivatives with excellent deuterium (D) incorporation. This zinc-mediated sequential reductive hydrodehalogenation proceeds via a radical process. The in-situ generated zinc cation complex plays a key role in facilitating the transformation due to its strong Lewis acidity.

The chiral 1,3-substituted skeleton is a fundamental structure present in organic molecules, and thousands of methods have been developed for this purpose. Herein, we report a nickel-catalyzed migratory carboboration of boron-containing alkenes for the preparation of chiral 1,3-diboron compounds, which serve as versatile precursors to 1,3-substituted skeletons. This method is featured by its simple operation, good substrate tolerance, and high application value.

Six new acorane-type sesquiterpenes, penijanacoranes A—F (1—6) were isolated from the YES medium of the deep-sea-derived fungus P. janthinellum SH0301. Penijanacorane A (1) was identified as a rare acorane-type sesquiterpene lactone with a novel 6/5/6 tricyclic system, while penijanacoranes E—F (5—6) were elucidated as undescribed examples of nor-acorane sesquiterpenes at C-1.

We developed the Ti-catalyzed regioselective reductive coupling of readily available aldehydes and racemic propargyl bromides to rapidly access a wide range of α-allenols. This method proceeds efficiently in a reductive radical-polar crossover manner featuring mild conditions, excellent regioselectivity control, broad substrate scope, and eco-friendliness. Preliminary mechanistic studies support the radical-involved catalytic cycle. DFT calculations demonstrate that the regioselectivity is determined by the Zimmerman-Traxler-type transition states.

The oxidation of Ni⁰ on the surface of CoNi@CN-2 nanoenzymes generates Ni²⁺, which significantly enhances the electron-donating ability of Co⁰. When excess PMS is introduced, it results in reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as SO₄^•−, •O₂⁻, •OH and ¹O₂ attacking specific sites in ox-TMB. Additionally, a new smartphone-integrated autonomous detection software has been developed to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of detecting RS in environmental water.

An electrochemical reaction involving alkynes, NaHSO₃, and alcohols has been developed. This method yields functionalized alkenylsulfonates in good yields with broad functional group tolerance. Mechanism studies indicate that anodic oxidation of inorganic sulfite, radical insertion process, and HAT process are involved in this transformation.

The design and development of efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for fuel cells and rechargeable metal-air batteries have become increasingly urgent. In this study, our investigation reveals that NiN₃H₂ consistently exhibits optimal ORR activity across a wide pH range, regardless of the source of proton-electron pair (solvent or catalyst surface).

A heterojunction of Co₃O₄ and CoMoO₄ nanosheet is constructed to boost the photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of thiophenic sulfides with enhanced separation of electron-hole pairs.

This review focuses on the construction of indolizine scaffolds using a variety of starting substrates, such as pyridine derivatives, pyrrole derivatives and unoriginal ring substrates since 2016. The corresponding reaction mechanisms of synthetic methodologies are also elaborated.

The concept of mechanical gating offers a promising solution by embedding mechanophores into polymers for controlled degradation.

The cover picture displays six new acorane-type sesquiterpenes penijanacoranes A—F isolated from a Mariana Trench-derived fungus Penicillium janthinellum SH0301. Penijanacorane A was a rare acorane-type sesquiterpene lactone featuring a novel 6/5/6 tricyclic system, and penijanacoranes E and F represented undescribed examples of nor-acorane sesquiterpenes at C-1. Penijanacorane C exhibited significant inhibitory activity against LPS-induced NO production in Raw264.7 macrophages. More details are discussed in the article by Wang et al. on pages 268—274.