ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102746
Hyunjoo Lee
{"title":"Depositing atom by atom: Pt–Ru–Co triple-atom catalysts","authors":"Hyunjoo Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this issue of <em>Chem</em>, Sun and co-workers report the synthesis of Pt–Ru–Co triple-atom catalysts immobilized on N-doped carbon nanotubes via atomic layer deposition. These asymmetric triple-atom sites exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions as a result of the optimized electronic structure of the d orbitals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102746"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144924342","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":"Stable and responsive atropisomerism around a carbon–iodine bond","authors":"Shohei Abe , Jun Kikuchi , Arimasa Matsumoto , Naohiko Yoshikai","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Atropisomerism, a unique form of chirality arising from restricted bond rotation, enriches molecular diversity and plays a pivotal role in drug discovery, catalysis, and materials science. Although atropisomers with chiral axes based on second-row elements (e.g., biaryls) are common, stable atropisomerism around a long, flexible axis involving heavier elements remains rare. Here, we introduce stable atropisomers featuring a carbon–iodine bond as a sole chiral axis, achieved through pairing a rigid benziodoxole scaffold with a bulky fused aryl group. These molecules exhibit thermally robust atropisomerism, with rotational barriers over 30 kcal mol<sup>–1</sup> and racemization half-lives surpassing 50 years. Notably, these C–I atropisomers exhibit acid-responsive racemization rates that vary with acidity, enabling semi-static or dynamic atropisomerism. This feature enables the use of <sup>19</sup>F NMR to characterize their enantioselective interactions with weak chiral acids and their deracemization mediated by strong chiral acids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102527"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143776228","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102548
Xiaofan Jiang , Mingyuan Li , Yu Tao , Meng Zhang , Xinyu Li , Tianhao Zhang , Jiazhen Gu , Guangsheng Bai , Nanlong Zheng , Xuan Zhao , Huilong Hong , Leyang Jin , Xu Huang , Sanli Xu , Yan Guan , Chen Li , Wenkai Zhang , Yongping Fu
{"title":"One-dimensional lead halide perovskite quantum ribbons with controllable edge terminations and ribbon widths","authors":"Xiaofan Jiang , Mingyuan Li , Yu Tao , Meng Zhang , Xinyu Li , Tianhao Zhang , Jiazhen Gu , Guangsheng Bai , Nanlong Zheng , Xuan Zhao , Huilong Hong , Leyang Jin , Xu Huang , Sanli Xu , Yan Guan , Chen Li , Wenkai Zhang , Yongping Fu","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One-dimensional (1D) halide<span><span> perovskite quantum ribbons, featuring 1D corner-sharing octahedral networks, are promising for optoelectronics<span> and photonics due to quantum confinement in two dimensions. However, the rational design of 1D perovskites remains challenging, and existing materials with narrow ribbon widths predominantly form self-trapped excitons, which limit their potential applications. Here, we synthesize 30 1D perovskites with controllable ribbon widths and edge octahedra terminations by </span></span>organic cation<span> engineering. We observe the absence of self-trapped excitons as the ribbon width increases up to four octahedra, alongside the ability to modulate their optoelectronic properties by tailoring the edge terminations. The 1D free excitons result in in-plane anisotropic photoluminescence (PL) emission with polarization degree reaching 60%. Moreover, we observe robust exciton-photon coupling with Rabi splitting energies up to 800 meV, which is significantly larger than those of three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) perovskites, demonstrating a class of 1D quantum materials for advanced optoelectronics and photonics.</span></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102548"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143832147","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102747
Xu Guan , Xin Zhang , Xishan Wang
{"title":"Synergistic nanotherapy enhances tumor and lymph node immunity","authors":"Xu Guan , Xin Zhang , Xishan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102747","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102747","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adenosine is a key regulator of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In the August issue of <em>Cell Biomaterials</em>, Chen et al. introduce a synergistic tumor immunotherapy: magnetothermal immunotherapy. Using external magnetic control, this approach enhances immune activation by promoting ATP release while preventing its conversion to immunosuppressive adenosine. This synergistic nanotherapy offers a promising new strategy for cancer immunotherapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102747"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144924343","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102594
Helena R. Keller , James K. Utterback , Hayden Hamby , Carolyn E. Lubner , David W. Mulder , Paul W. King , Gordana Dukovic
{"title":"Rate-limiting regimes in photochemical H2 generation by complexes of colloidal CdS nanorods and hydrogenase","authors":"Helena R. Keller , James K. Utterback , Hayden Hamby , Carolyn E. Lubner , David W. Mulder , Paul W. King , Gordana Dukovic","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102594","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102594","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>Driving redox enzyme catalysis with photoexcited semiconductor nanocrystals is a compelling approach for chemical conversion. We examined how the interplay of the many chemical steps involved determines the rates of photochemical H</span><sub>2</sub><span> production with complexes of colloidal CdS nanorods<span> and an [FeFe]-hydrogenase. We elucidated the roles of three critical and previously elusive processes—scavenging of photoexcited holes from nanorods, back-electron transfer, and H</span></span><sub>2</sub><span><span> oxidation. Kinetic </span>Monte Carlo simulations and fitting to experimental data revealed that hole transfer becomes the rate-limiting step at high illumination intensities. Comparisons of simulations to experimental H</span><sub>2</sub> production showed that both back-electron transfer and H<sub>2</sub><span><span> oxidation play an efficiency-limiting role at high catalyst loadings. This work provides guiding principles for tuning experimental parameters to minimize energy-wasting pathways and optimize photochemical product formation. More broadly, we demonstrate how critical but elusive chemical steps in </span>photochemical reactions can be probed with a combination of experiments and simulations.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102594"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144122861","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102745
David A. Leigh
{"title":"Reaction: Of myths, misconceptions, and motors—A matter of equilibrium","authors":"David A. Leigh","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>David Leigh earned a PhD in crown ether chemistry from the University of Sheffield in 1987 and has held professorial positions at the Universities of Warwick, Edinburgh, Manchester, and East China Normal University. Landmark examples from his laboratory include the introduction of synthetic molecular ratchets and the first catalysis-driven small-molecule motors. The latter were recently used to demonstrate the transduction of chemical energy through motor catalysis, the fundamental process underpinning biology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102745"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145043335","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102578
Monika Wenisch , Yinqing Li , Marius G. Braun , Lukas Eylert , Fabian Späth , Simone M. Poprawa , Bernhard Rieger , Christopher V. Synatschke , Henrike Niederholtmeyer , Job Boekhoven
{"title":"Toward synthetic life—Emergence, growth, creation of offspring, decay, and rescue of fuel-dependent synthetic cells","authors":"Monika Wenisch , Yinqing Li , Marius G. Braun , Lukas Eylert , Fabian Späth , Simone M. Poprawa , Bernhard Rieger , Christopher V. Synatschke , Henrike Niederholtmeyer , Job Boekhoven","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102578","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102578","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The <em>de novo</em> synthesis of life from non-living matter represents a bold scientific challenge, advancing our understanding of life’s minimal requirements and offering revolutionary applications in biotechnology. We explore fuel-dependent synthetic cells based on complex coacervate droplets, which lack membranes and readily take up reactants. Given their fuel-dependent nature, these droplets emerge and grow when fuel is abundant but dissolve under starvation conditions, mimicking the non-equilibrium nature of life. However, their ability to produce offspring—a key requirement for life—has remained elusive. Moreover, their rescue in repetitive fueling-starvation experiments has not been demonstrated. Our work elucidates a mechanism of producing offspring by synthetic cells driven by solid-like speckles in droplets liberated as offspring. By fine-tuning parameters, we control offspring number and survival. Finally, refueling sustains second-generation synthetic cells. This system provides a platform for coupling offspring production with self-replicating molecules, paving the way for synthetic cells capable of Darwinian evolution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102578"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143927098","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102596
Dong Yang , Yi Hu , Shuai Liu , Wenhui Yang , Xi Ren , Yanbing Li , Feng Xu , Min Gong , Yunlong Zhao , Xiaozhong Qiu , Honghao Hou
{"title":"Synthesis and assembly strategy of electroactive biomaterials and systems for soft tissue engineering applications","authors":"Dong Yang , Yi Hu , Shuai Liu , Wenhui Yang , Xi Ren , Yanbing Li , Feng Xu , Min Gong , Yunlong Zhao , Xiaozhong Qiu , Honghao Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soft tissue injuries are a common issue affecting human health, and the extent and duration of injuries often constrain the healing process. Electroactive biomaterials have become a key medium for tissue regeneration by modulating cellular behavior, but a systematic evaluation of their potential and challenges is still limited. This review comprehensively explores electroactive biomaterials, focusing on their chemical synthesis, assembly processes, application potential, challenges faced, and future directions. First, this work elaborates on the unique and innovative features of electroactive biomaterials’ chemical synthesis and preparation techniques. Subsequently, the principles of electroactive devices and their interactions with biological tissues are described to optimize tissue repair. Finally, the application prospects of electrical stimulation technology in soft tissue engineering are explored, emphasizing its role in cell and tissue regeneration and its clinical potential. In conclusion, this review provides theoretical and practical insights into the development and application of electroactive biomaterials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102596"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144088048","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}
ChemPub Date : 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102748
Raorao Yang , Liang Zhang
{"title":"Weaving in polyhedra","authors":"Raorao Yang , Liang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The programmable design and synthesis of topologically complex architectures through rational ligand engineering open new avenues for exploring the effects and potential applications of entanglements across chemistry, physics, and biology. In this issue of <em>Chem</em>, Fujita, Sawada, and co-workers extend the folding-and-assembly approach to construct an M<sub>60</sub>L<sub>60</sub>-entangled capsid featuring 60 crossings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102748"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144924390","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":"Cancer nanomedicine: Concepts, promises, and challenges","authors":"Chunlei Zhu , Eduard Preis , Udo Bakowsky , Younan Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.chempr.2025.102706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite improved understanding and enormous breakthroughs in treatment, ultimately defeating cancer remains challenging. Cancer nanomedicine, one of the most active areas in nanotechnology, focuses on improving the efficacy of chemotherapeutics and/or the imaging capability of diagnostic probes by enabling therapeutic and/or diagnostic functionalities on a nanoscale platform. This review aims to provide a tutorial on the current landscape of cancer nanomedicine. We start with a few biological examples to illustrate the general concept of nanomedicine. We then highlight several major advantages of nanomedicine and explain its significant role in reshaping the pharmaceutical industry. Afterward, we discuss key factors affecting the efficacy of nanomedicines in cancer therapy. We also discuss the primary challenges by focusing on the gap between <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies. Finally, we conclude this review by illustrating the opportunities in the rational design of next-generation nanomedicines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":268,"journal":{"name":"Chem","volume":"11 9","pages":"Article 102706"},"PeriodicalIF":19.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145047594","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}