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.
Easily side‐tracked : A simple route to the paclitaxel side chain and its analogues is based on the (R)‐proline‐catalyzed addition of aldehydes to N‐(phenylmethylene)benzamides, followed by oxidation of the resulting protected α‐hydroxy‐β‐benzoylaminoaldehydes (92–99 % ee). Esterification of the subsequent phenylisoserine derivatives with baccatin III gives paclitaxel analogues (see scheme).
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.
Best of both worlds : Reduction of an organometallic Co precursor on preformed CdSe nanorods yields two distinct semiconducting–magnetic heterostructures (see picture). The selective growth of Co on the tips of CdSe first gives nanosphere–nanorod dimers, which evolve into nanorod–nanorod structures. In the hybrid objects the magnetic properties of Co remain intact, while the luminescence properties of CdSe are affected but not completely quenched.
On a roll : Attachment of flexible coils to the middle of a rigid rod generates T‐shaped rod–coil molecules that self‐assemble into layers that roll up to form filled cylindrical and hollow tubular scrolls, depending on the coil length, in the solid state (see picture); the rods are arranged parallel to the layer plane.
Making ends meet : The L ‐gulopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate and 1,6‐anhydro‐2,3‐di‐O‐benzyl‐β‐L ‐gulopyranose, efficiently derived from L ‐ascorbic acid, were individually used as a starting unit and an elongation unit to prepare L ‐guluronic acid linked alginate oligosaccharides in excellent α selectivity and in good yields.
Wheels of steel : Two enantiomerically pure chiral {Fe28} wheel‐like aggregates have been synthesized from the acetate buffer solution containing ferric ions and chiral tartrate ligands (see picture). These compounds are the largest chiral ferric aggregates isolated to date.
