Bromide is best : The first [2]rotaxane incorporating the triazolium anion‐binding motif is prepared using bromide anion templation. Preliminary anion‐binding investigations reveal that the rotaxane exhibits the rare selectivity preference for bromide over chloride ions.
Small with control : For miniaturization of protein aggregation experiments the interfacial chemistry must be controlled to avoid protein aggregation caused by interfacial adsorption. Plug‐based microfluidics with defined surface chemistry (see schematic picture) can then be used to perform hundreds of aggregation experiments with volume‐limited samples, such as cerebrospinal fluid from mice.
Change happens : Acridine–carbon nanotube nanohybrids were built (see figure) and their photoinduced electron‐transfer properties investigated, showing variable behaviour depending on the acridine partner.
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.
Cross‐coupling carbenes : The coupling of a propargylic ester with a diazoalkane in the presence of [RuCl(cod)Cp*] catalyst leads to the formation of functionalized conjugated dienes with high stereoselectivity. The reaction involves the cross‐coupling of a vinylcarbene fragment, arising from a ruthenium‐catalyzed propargylic ester rearrangement, with a diazoalkane carbene.
Proton, all that matters! This Focus Review surveys representative examples of pH‐controllable supramolecular systems with interesting features and state‐of‐the‐art applications, which can lead to the construction of meaningful molecular machines for electronic and biological applications that can be controlled by simple perturbation with acid and base.
No hurdle is too high : The regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of the halohydroxylation of non‐activated allenes are controlled by a remote sulfinyl group through anchimeric assistance (see scheme). The resulting halohydrines are excellent chiral targets for the preparation of optically pure propargylic alcohols and Baylis–Hillman‐type products.
A complex mixture of products in an enzymatic reaction: Aplysia californica releases amino acid oxidase and its substrate lysine in defensive secretions to produce a mixture of multiple compounds (see figure).
Phosphorus meets carbohydrates : Dimethyl phosphite reacts with ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) to give phosphonyl radicals that add to glycals 1 . The derivatives 2 were isolated in high yields and during a subsequent Horner–Emmons reaction underwent an interesting elimination to give 3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrans 3 . The short sequence with simple precursors is applicable to the transformation of hexoses, pentoses, and disaccharides. Bn=benzyl.
Bioinspired dual activation : Dual activation within the bimetallic pocket of a bioinspired dicopper(II) complex suitably places two phenolato substrates for preferred ortho–ortho coupling. Spectroscopic data and the molecular structure of a unique Cu6 complex isolated from the reaction mixture reveal a novel terphenolato ligand and provide a clue about the activation mechanism (see picture).
Breaking point: Switchable peptide surfactants are used to demonstrate that the extent of cross‐linking in an interfacial surfactant layer can control the rate of emulsion coalescence. Pictured is the rupture of an aqueous thin film where the peptide layer lacks sufficient strength to prevent hole formation, but nonetheless dramatically slows the rate of hole expansion.
