{"title":"Counterintuitive chemoselectivity in the reduction of carbonyl compounds","authors":"Takanori Iwasaki, Kyoko Nozaki","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00608-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00608-z","url":null,"abstract":"The reactivity of carbonyl functional groups largely depends on the substituents on the carbon atom. Reversal of the commonly accepted order of reactivity of different carbonyl compounds requires novel synthetic approaches. Achieving selective reduction will enable the transformation of carbon resources such as plastic waste, carbon dioxide and biomass into valuable chemicals. In this Review, we explore the reduction of less reactive carbonyl groups in the presence of those typically considered more reactive. We discuss reductions, including the controlled reduction of ureas, amides and esters to aldehydes, as well as chemoselective reductions of carbonyl groups, including the reduction of ureas over carbamates, amides and esters; the reduction of amides over esters, ketones and aldehydes; and the reduction of ketones over aldehydes. Reversing the intuitive order of reactivity of functional groups provides new synthetic strategies and enables utilization of chemical feedstocks, such as plastic waste, carbon dioxide and biomass. This Review highlights the chemoselective reduction of carbonyl compounds with a counterintuitive reactivity order.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 7","pages":"518-534"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141237985","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":"Chromatic inclusivity in chemistry","authors":"Nicholas J. Roberts, Jennifer L. MacDonald","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00619-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00619-w","url":null,"abstract":"Reliance on colour-based experiments in the undergraduate laboratory is a considerable hurdle for those with colour vision deficiency. Designing course material that relies on interpretation and not perception creates a more accessible environment for all.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 7","pages":"487-488"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141236005","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":"Synthetic techniques for thermodynamically disfavoured substituted six-membered rings","authors":"Yangyang Li, Hongjin Shi, Guoyin Yin","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00612-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00612-3","url":null,"abstract":"Six-membered rings are ubiquitous structural motifs in bioactive compounds and multifunctional materials. Notably, their thermodynamically disfavoured isomers, like disubstituted cyclohexanes featuring one substituent in an equatorial position and the other in an axial position, often exhibit enhanced physical and biological activities in comparison with their opposite isomers. However, the synthesis of thermodynamically disfavoured isomers is, by its nature, challenging, with only a limited number of possible approaches. In this Review, we summarize and compare synthetic methodologies that produce substituted six-membered rings with thermodynamically disfavoured substitution patterns. We place particular emphasis on elucidating the crucial stereoinduction factors within each transformation. Our aim is to stimulate interest in the synthesis of these unique structures, while simultaneously providing synthetic chemists with a guide to approaching this synthetic challenge. The synthesis of thermodynamically disfavoured substituted six-membered rings provides a notable challenge compared with that of the thermodynamically stable stereoisomer counterparts. This Review provides a summary of current strategies for their synthesis.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 7","pages":"535-550"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141182535","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":"Catalytically faster power","authors":"Shengmei Chen, Chunyi Zhi","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00614-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00614-1","url":null,"abstract":"Improving zinc–air batteries is challenging due to kinetics and limited electrochemical reversibility, partly attributed to sluggish four-electron redox chemistry. Now, substantial strides are noted with two-electron redox chemistry and catalysts, resulting in unprecedentedly stable zinc–air batteries with 61% energy efficiencies.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 7","pages":"493-494"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140953970","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 synthesis behind the 2023 Nobel Prize","authors":"Mark Green","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00615-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00615-0","url":null,"abstract":"In 1993, a new route for the synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals was reported that exploited organometallic chemistry to afford nearly monodisperse particles. 30 years later the award of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry can be directly traced to this single publication.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 7","pages":"495-496"},"PeriodicalIF":38.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140953541","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":"Intercalation in 2D materials and in situ studies","authors":"Ruijie Yang, Liang Mei, Zhaoyang Lin, Yingying Fan, Jongwoo Lim, Jinghua Guo, Yijin Liu, Hyeon Suk Shin, Damien Voiry, Qingye Lu, Ju Li, Zhiyuan Zeng","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00605-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00605-2","url":null,"abstract":"Intercalation of atoms, ions and molecules is a powerful tool for altering or tuning the properties — interlayer interactions, in-plane bonding configurations, Fermi-level energies, electronic band structures and spin–orbit coupling — of 2D materials. Intercalation can induce property changes in materials related to photonics, electronics, optoelectronics, thermoelectricity, magnetism, catalysis and energy storage, unlocking or improving the potential of 2D materials in present and future applications. In situ imaging and spectroscopy technologies are used to visualize and trace intercalation processes. These techniques provide the opportunity for deciphering important and often elusive intercalation dynamics, chemomechanics and mechanisms, such as the intercalation pathways, reversibility, uniformity and speed. In this Review, we discuss intercalation in 2D materials, beginning with a brief introduction of the intercalation strategies, then we look into the atomic and intrinsic effects of intercalation, followed by an overview of their in situ studies, and finally provide our outlook. Intercalation of atoms, ions and molecules is a powerful tool for finely regulating atomically thin, 2D materials. This Review highlights the effects of intercalation in 2D materials and discusses their in situ studies.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 6","pages":"410-432"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140953537","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}
Avik Samanta, Lorena Baranda Pellejero, Marcos Masukawa, Andreas Walther
{"title":"DNA-empowered synthetic cells as minimalistic life forms","authors":"Avik Samanta, Lorena Baranda Pellejero, Marcos Masukawa, Andreas Walther","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00606-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00606-1","url":null,"abstract":"Cells, the fundamental units of life, orchestrate intricate functions — motility, adaptation, replication, communication, and self-organization within tissues. Originating from spatiotemporally organized structures and machinery, coupled with information processing in signalling networks, cells embody the ‘sensor–processor–actuator’ paradigm. Can we glean insights from these processes to construct primitive artificial systems with life-like properties? Using de novo design approaches, what can we uncover about the evolutionary path of life? This Review discusses the strides made in crafting synthetic cells, utilizing the powerful toolbox of structural and dynamic DNA nanoscience. We describe how DNA can serve as a versatile tool for engineering entire synthetic cells or subcellular entities, and how DNA enables complex behaviour, including motility and information processing for adaptive and interactive processes. We chart future directions for DNA-empowered synthetic cells, envisioning interactive systems wherein synthetic cells communicate within communities and with living cells. Structural and dynamic DNA nanosciences offer unique tools for engineering bottom–up synthetic cells. This Review provides a holistic overview for using DNA as a structural material, for designing functional entities, and for information-processing circuits for adaptive and interactive behaviour.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 6","pages":"454-470"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140945474","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":"Spearheading a new era in complex colloid synthesis with TPM and other silanes","authors":"Marlous Kamp, Stefano Sacanna, Roel P. A. Dullens","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00603-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00603-4","url":null,"abstract":"Colloid science has recently grown substantially owing to the innovative use of silane coupling agents (SCAs), especially 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (TPM). SCAs were previously used mainly as modifying agents, but their ability to form droplets and condense onto pre-existing structures has enabled their use as a versatile and powerful tool to create novel anisotropic colloids with increasing complexity. In this Review, we highlight the advances in complex colloid synthesis facilitated by the use of TPM and show how this has driven remarkable new applications. The focus is on TPM as the current state-of-the-art in colloid science, but we also discuss other silanes and their potential to make an impact. We outline the remarkable properties of TPM colloids and their synthesis strategies, and discuss areas of soft matter science that have benefited from TPM and other SCAs. Colloid science has developed through innovative use of silane coupling agents. We highlight the advances in complex colloid synthesis, focussing on 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (TPM) and related compounds. We outline the remarkable properties, unique synthesis strategies and ensuing pioneering applications of TPM colloids.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 6","pages":"433-453"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140914924","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":"Empowering women and young people in STEM","authors":"J. Catherine Ngila, Stephanie Greed","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00611-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00611-4","url":null,"abstract":"Catherine Ngila, executive director of the African Foundation for Women and Youth in Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (AFoWYESTI), talks about her experience of academia and her hopes to promote diversity in STEM.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 6","pages":"402-403"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140896964","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":"Join the club","authors":"","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00613-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00613-2","url":null,"abstract":"Following the success of our current journal club collaborations, we would like to encourage more groups of early-career researchers to get involved.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 6","pages":"401-401"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-024-00613-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140892042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}