Simone Pezzotti, Wanlin Chen, Fabio Novelli, Xiaoqing Yu, Claudius Hoberg, Martina Havenith
{"title":"Terahertz calorimetry spotlights the role of water in biological processes.","authors":"Simone Pezzotti, Wanlin Chen, Fabio Novelli, Xiaoqing Yu, Claudius Hoberg, Martina Havenith","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00712-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-025-00712-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Terahertz (THz) calorimetry is a framework that allows for the deduction and quantification of changes in solvation entropy and enthalpy associated with biological processes in real-time. Fundamental biological processes are inherently non-equilibrium, and a small imbalance in free energy can trigger protein condensation or folding. Although biophysical techniques typically focus mainly on structural characterization, water is often ignored. Being a generic solvent, the intermolecular protein-water interactions act as a strong competitor for intramolecular protein-protein interactions, leading to a delicate balance between functional structure formation and complete solvation. Characteristics for biological processes are large, but competing enthalpic and entropic solvation contributions to the total Gibbs free energy lead to subtle energy differences of only a few kJ mol<sup>-1</sup> that are capable of dictating biological functions. THz calorimetry spotlights these intermolecular coupled protein-water interactions. With experimental advances in THz technology, a new frequency window has opened, which is ideally suited to probe these low-frequency intermolecular interactions. The future impact of these studies is based on the belief that the observed changes in solvation entropy and enthalpy are not secondary effects but dictate biological function.</p>","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":" ","pages":"481-494"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144044439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The future of reviews writing in the AI era.","authors":"Zhiling Zheng","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00738-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00738-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Threading the needle","authors":"Ashley Mapile","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00739-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00739-x","url":null,"abstract":"In separation or filtration membranes, polymers can clog the active sites of porous materials. A recent adaptation of solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy allows for quantification of polymer intrusion in metal–organic frameworks.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"36 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144341353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rethinking carbanion chemistry from donor substituents to weakly coordinating carbanions.","authors":"Arpan Das, Quentin Le Dé, Viktoria H Gessner","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00725-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00725-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Carbanionic compounds provide unique reactivity patterns resulting from the high negative partial charge at the carbon centre, making them invaluable in chemical synthesis. They are important reagents in synthesis, including for challenging metalation reactions or the formation of C-C bonds. Despite this, broader applications have long been limited by their high reactivity and sensitivity to air and moisture. However, recent studies have underscored the versatility of carbanions beyond their traditional role as strong bases and nucleophiles. Utilization of molecular design strategies has opened applications such as their use as electron-donating groups isoelectronic with amines, ambiphilic reagents and even as weakly coordinating anions. In this review article, we provide an overview of these emerging uses of carbanionic compounds, aiming to inspire a broader rethinking of their potential and to encourage the development of new applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unchained power","authors":"Chenjie Lou, Ming Liu","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00730-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00730-6","url":null,"abstract":"Fifty-two years ago, Wright and colleagues discovered that complexes of alkali metal ions with polyethylene oxide conduct ions, and that this conductivity is temperature-sensitive. This seminal work unveiled the potential application of such complexes as solid-state electrolytes. Here, we discuss the history of and advances in polymer solid-state electrolytes, and future research directions.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144296179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Core mission: mRNA endosomal escape","authors":"Sihan Xiong, Chuang Liu","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00734-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00734-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As a promising therapeutic tool, messenger RNA (mRNA) must be directed toward specific subsets of cells, enter them, and be translated into proteins. Yet this journey is not without biological barriers. For scientists aiming to use mRNA to treat tumours, it must overcome insufficient endosomal escape. This problem occurs when our cells encounter exogenous materials, including naked mRNA, and sequester them in endosomal vesicles to be degraded. To avoid being trapped, therefore, mRNA needs to be encapsulated in specialized delivery vehicles to achieve endosomal escape for protein translation.</p><p>With these RNCs, the research group can now escort mRNA to its destination and observe in vitro how effective the mRNA therapy is. They delivered RNCs carrying a reporter mRNA to a macrophage cell line that serves as a model for TAMs, where RNCs surpassed a commonly used commercial transfection agent by producing more reporter protein. Moreover, they investigated and confirmed that adding endosomal escape-enhancing small molecules to the mRNA payload would further boost mRNA endosomal escape. However, incorporating these small molecules to the RNCs increased dose-dependent cellular toxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144269088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The ideal recyclable solar cell","authors":"I. M. Peters, C. J. Brabec","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00728-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00728-0","url":null,"abstract":"Introducing recyclability into photovoltaic design adds complexity. Recyclability depends on parameters governing material cohesion and separability, often conflicting with traditional criteria such as efficiency, stability and cost. Achieving circularity transforms solar-cell design into the art of managing intrinsic trade-offs, harmonizing the ease of material recovery with photovoltaic performance.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144260437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Enping Du, Xianhui Tang, Wenqiang Zhang, Jinqiao Dong, Yong Cui, Yan Liu
{"title":"Emerging mechanically interlocked cages","authors":"Enping Du, Xianhui Tang, Wenqiang Zhang, Jinqiao Dong, Yong Cui, Yan Liu","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00721-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00721-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Mechanically interlocked molecules, including catenanes, rotaxanes and knots, are an intriguing class of synthetic targets with potential applications in molecular switches and machines. Although mechanically interlocked molecules are typically constructed using macrocyclic frameworks, the interlocking of two or more three-dimensional, shape-persistent cages remains relatively underexplored. Recent advances have accelerated the development of mechanically interlocked cages (MICs), which consist of interlocked three-dimensional molecular cages rather than macrocycles. Despite their potential in areas such as molecular recognition, separation and catalysis, the design and synthesis of MICs remain challenging. This Review examines the synthetic strategies used to construct MICs, along with their interlocked architecture characteristics, structural dynamics and potential applications. Special attention is given to the guest-binding properties and catalytic performance of monomeric versus catenated cages. We conclude with perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities for future development of MICs.</p><figure></figure>","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144219205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inhibiting and rejuvenating dead lithium in battery materials","authors":"Chengbin Jin, Ouwei Sheng, Guoying Wei, Hongyan Li, Qingyue Han, Qiang Zhang, Xinyong Tao","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00722-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00722-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Lithium and other alkali-metal-based batteries are promising candidates for next-generation energy-storage technologies. However, such batteries suffer from limited lifespans caused by the continuous inactivation of their electrodes during operation and even storage, creating inactivated or ‘dead’ Li, which is a combination of electrically insulated metallic Li and solid–electrolyte interphases (SEIs). Numerous efforts have been devoted to uncovering the origins of this inactivation and how it could be mitigated. Given that dead Li cannot be entirely prevented, rejuvenating it has emerged as a solution for prolonging the lifetimes of batteries and energy-storage systems. Here, we discuss the origins of dead Li and its effects on battery operations. We summarize the emerging challenges related to dead Li, such as SEI dissolution, dead Li migration and Li corrosion. We evaluate the limitations of the present strategies devoted to reducing the formation of dead Li, and how to recover and rejuvenate dead Li through redox chemistry and electrochemical protocols. We conclude with development opportunities in operando diagnoses and the rejuvenation of other inactivated electrode materials beyond Li chemistry in cells and large-scale systems already on the market.</p><figure></figure>","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144201627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The cosmochemistry of planetary systems.","authors":"Martin Bizzarro, Anders Johansen, Caroline Dorn","doi":"10.1038/s41570-025-00711-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-025-00711-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Planets form and obtain their compositions from the leftover material present in protoplanetary disks of dust and gas surrounding young stars. The chemical make-up of a disk influences every aspect of planetary composition, including their overall chemical properties, volatile content, atmospheric composition and potential for habitability. This Review discusses our knowledge of the chemical and isotopic composition of Solar System materials and how this information can be used to place constraints on the formation pathways of terrestrial planets. We conclude that planetesimal formation by the streaming instability followed by rapid accretion of drifting pebbles within the protoplanetary disk lifetime reproduces most of the chemical and isotopic observables in the Solar System. This finding has important implications for planetary habitability beyond the Solar System because in pebble accretion, volatiles important for life are accreted during the main growth phase of rocky planets as opposed to the late stage. Finally, we explore how bulk chemical inventories and masses of planetary bodies control the composition of their primordial atmospheres and their potential to develop habitable conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":" ","pages":"378-396"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144012045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}