Similar, but different : Possessing almost the same but not identical structures, the recently discovered natural products hopeahainol A ( 1 ) and hopeanol ( 2 ) exhibit important but differing biological properties (see structures). Their first total synthesis has now been achieved through a series of novel cascade reactions and skeletal rearrangements.
A game of Twister : The induced helicity of polyaniline and its supramolecular structures could be tuned by the methyl substitution of one of the monomers. By copolymerization of aniline with m‐toluidine, the helicity of copolymer (PMANI) nanofibers was totally inverted compared to that of polyaniline (PANI), while copolymer nanofibers with o‐toluidine (POANI) had the same helicity as that of polyaniline (see picture).
Buckybowls : The adsorption of penta‐tert‐butylcorannulene, a molecule with fivefold symmetry, on Cu(111), a surface with threefold symmetry, is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy complemented by structure calculations. The symmetry mismatch is resolved by the formation of threefold‐symmetric subunits consisting of three molecules, which combine with single molecules to form a nearly perfect filling of the plane (see picture).
Two birds with one auric stone : The title system acts as a highly efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the one‐pot tandem synthesis of imines or oximes from alcohols and the corresponding amines under mild conditions (see scheme; HAP= hydroxyapatite).
An N for Ir : The synthesis and X‐ray crystal structure of a late‐transition‐metal complex with a terminal nitrido ligand and its hydrogenation to the related amido complex are reported (see scheme).
Cys‐tematic modification : Cysteine is a versatile amino acid for selective chemical modification of proteins. Both chemical and biological innovations made possible by cysteine modification are highlighted in this Focus Review.
Insider dealing : Self‐assembled hosts applied as “molecular flasks” can alter and control the reactivity and properties of molecules encapsulated within their well‐defined, confined spaces. A variety of functional hosts of differing sizes, shapes, and utility have been prepared by using the facile and modular concepts of self‐assembly.
Manipulation makes light work : The morphology and rheological properties of a liquid‐crystalline system can be dynamically manipulated with UV light by attaching photoresponsive liquid‐crystalline moieties to a siloxane‐based polymer. Stimulation with UV light induces a conformational change in the molecule, which disrupts the liquid‐crystalline mesophase (see picture), and results in a dramatic change in its rheological properties.
Spot the difference : The five‐coordinate iron(II) cyanoporphyrinates, which are spin‐crossover compounds, can be used to synthesize previously unknown six‐coordinate complexes. Bis(cyano) and (cyano)imidazole complexes are presented, and the five‐ and six‐coordinate (cyano)iron(II) derivatives are compared with analogous CO complexes.
Electrochemistry down to the molecular level was the main theme of the 59th annual meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE, see logo). Around 1400 scientists from all over the world met in Seville to discuss modern aspects, progress in methods and new mechanistic insights.
Dendrimers for ion sensing : The synthesis and use of new tris‐alkynyl dendrons are reported. So‐called “click” reactions of the dendrimers described with azidomethylferrocene give 27‐ferrocenyl, 81‐ferrocenyl, and 243‐ferrocenyl dendrimers. Electrochemical recognition of oxo‐anions and Pd2+ cations has been compared using the three polyferrocenyl dendrimers.
