The right mix : SnO2:Sb nanocrystals (NCs) can be solubilized into organic solvents with a suitable solvent/surfactant combination to achieve a stable colloid (see picture). A single synthesis route and different solvent/amphiphilic molecule pairs are used to obtain soluble NC colloids, instead of requiring several syntheses to obtain soluble NCs in different solvents.
On an atomic scale and with high sensitivity, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy can provide information about the electronic spin density and coupling mechanisms in paramagnetic compounds. The picture shows how the hyperfine splitting collapses through relaxation. Insights into which compounds are suitable and which approximations have to be made are given.
A process of elimination : Optical spectra of the Br2 product eliminated from the photodissociation of 1,1‐dibromoethylene at 248 nm are obtained (see picture), and the subsequent dissociation pathways are proposed with the aid of ab initio potential energy calculations. The behavior of the compound is compared with that of 1,2‐dibromoethylene.
Size is not all! Investigation of the controlled release of tertiary alcohols from the surface of dendrimers and “stylomers” as polymer model systems (see scheme) showed that the polarity of the conjugates and structural modifications in close proximity to the release unit have a stronger influence on the rates of hydrolysis than the size (generation) or shape (linear or spherical) of the macromolecules.
Beam me up, Scotty! Laser irradiation of Langmuir monolayers of gold nanoparticles (NPs) and elaidic acid led to dramatic reorganization that was dependent on the laser power (see picture, scale bar=100 μm). Variable‐temperature experiments indicate that localized surface heating in an extremely small temperature range, induced by the laser beam, causes ordering of the NPs.
Diaminations are a girl's best friend : New reactions in the field of transition‐metal‐catalyzed diamination of olefins provide a powerful tool for the elaboration of more complex molecules bearing the 1,2‐diamine moiety. An overview of these methods, including asymmetric versions, is given.
Losing the grip : The synthesis of multivalent low‐molecular‐weight dendrons with lysine branching units coupled to disulfide‐linked spermine surface groups is described. It is furthermore demonstrated that the dendrons bind DNA with good affinity (see image), but are also able to release the DNA in a reductive environment.
When the truth stands on one leg : Arsenate coordinates at the water–goethite interface in a predominately monodentate fashion (see picture), a finding that impacts oxoanion bioavailability and challenges theories of mineral dissolution and surface complexation.
Get selective! A selective oxidation of 1,2‐diols to α‐hydroxyketones catalyzed by organotin compounds has been developed (see scheme). Invaluable chemo‐ and stereoselectivity were found in the reaction. The catalytic system has been achieved by electrochemical and chemical oxidation.
