Suprapolymers : The synthesis of symmetrically end‐functionalized polymers in a single step has been developed by means of ring‐opening metathesis polymerization by using a bimetallic ruthenium initiator and functional chain terminators. Self‐assembly of the resulting polymers allows for the formation of supramolecular alternating block copolymers (see figure).
In‐source oxidation : In‐source photocatalytic redox reactions for inducing peptide fragmentation are achieved on a TiO2‐derived target plate during laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry in the presence of samples and glucose acting as both an electron donor and a hole conductor (see scheme).
To each his own : An addressable electrochemical device consisting of orthogonally arranged rows and columns of electrodes has been constructed to monitor protein expression in genetically engineered cells at the single‐cell level. The response based on redox cycling reflected the different expression levels of the enzyme from individual HeLa cells transfected with a plasmid vector including secreted alkaline phosphatase.
With a sting in its tail : An enantiopure neodymium complex (see scheme) acts as an efficient single‐site initiator for the controlled ring‐opening polymerization of rac‐lactide, forming isotactic polyester. The heteroscorpionate complex was characterized spectroscopically and by X‐ray diffraction.
Bright lights : Fullerene–silica hybrid nanoparticles have bright photoluminescence, high photostability, and low cytotoxicity, which are assets for bioimaging agents. The origin of the photoluminescence of the nanoparticle is the C–O–Si bond (see picture).
Uniform nanodonuts: Stable toroidal micelles that have a highly uniform size and shape spontaneously self‐assemble from a selective THF/ethanol solvent mixture (see 3D AFM image). The donut‐shaped micelles can be used as a template to grow gold nanoparticles, which form along the ring surface.
Trapped in a “tea bag” : Membrane bags, fabricated from a dialysis membrane, have been employed as semipermeable containers for dendrimer‐immobilised oxazoline–copper(II) Lewis acid catalysts. Dipping them into reactant solutions leads to the catalytic conversion of the substrates, which penetrate the membrane as does the product in the reverse direction (see scheme).
A new polarizing agent with superior performance in dynamic nuclear polarization experiments is introduced, and utilizes two TEMPO (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl) moieties connected through a rigid spiro tether (see structure). The observed NMR signal intensities were enhanced by a factor of 1.4 compared to those of TOTAPOL, a previously described TEMPO‐based biradical with a flexible tether.
Sensitive platform : The use of graphene oxide (GO) as a platform for the sensitive and selective detection of DNA and proteins is presented. The interaction of GO and dye‐labeled single‐stranded DNA leads to quenching of the dye fluorescence. Conversely, the presence of a target DNA or protein leads to the binding of the dye‐labeled DNA and target, releasing the DNA from GO, thereby restoring the dye fluorescence (see picture).
Cage me! A linear dumbbell‐shaped bipyridinium molecule can template cage formation around itself through sixfold imine bond formation to give an interlocked [2]rotaxane as the single product (see picture). This highly efficient [2+3] clipping occurs despite the symmetry mismatch between the template and the formed macrobicycle.
On edge : Self‐assembled monolayers of a bis(hydrazone)‐based molecular grid physisorbed on graphite are studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (see picture). High order is attained at the supramolecular level by thermal annealing of the grid‐based films. A preferential edge‐on configuration of the molecular grid with respect to the substrate is found.
