Multistep in flow: The Seyferth–Gilbert reagent 1 has been applied in a flow system to rapidly synthesize terminal alkynes. The system has been further applied to synthesize triazole 3 from alcohol 2 in a three‐step oxidation/homologation/copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition sequence without isolation of intermediates (see scheme).
Silica scaffolding : By employing functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 silica, novel fluorescent cruciform‐silica hybrid materials are generated which preserve the desirable solution properties of cruciforms in the solid state for potential use in sensory schemes.
All light and no heat? Structure–property relationships for photochromic and thermochromic N‐salicylideneanils have been revised (see picture). One derivative has a packed crystal structure, is photochromic and exhibits an infinitely slow thermal back relaxation of technological interest. Complexation of the anils to transition metals has also been studied.
Dynamic transformation : A racemization catalyst and the enzyme Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) were combined in a one‐pot dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of primary amines, which were transformed to their corresponding amides in up to 95 % yield and >99 % ee. This chemoenzymatic DKR was also applied to the synthesis of norsertraline (see scheme).
Getting organized : Assemblies of ferromagnetic FePt nanoparticles were generated with large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by a magnetic‐field‐assisted layer‐by‐layer method, and subsequently layer‐by‐layer films consisting of L10‐FePt nanoparticles and organic polymers were prepared. These films are phototunable when photochromic molecules are used as polymer layers.
The true ground state of 1 is a matter of debate, but for clarity and convenience the allene resonance form 1 a , is the most appropriate. The arguments for aromaticity made by Christl and Engels are shown to be incorrect.
A simple but effective copper‐catalyzed borylation of aryl halides, including electron‐rich and sterically hindered aryl bromides, with alkoxy diboron reagents occurs under mild conditions (see scheme). Preliminary DFT studies of the mechanism suggest that σ‐bond metathesis between a copper–boryl intermediate and the aryl halide generates the aryl boronate product.
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).
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.
En route to molecular electronics : As extended, conjugated oligomers are desirable for molecular electronics, their electrical conductance should display a low attenuation factor. Zinc‐complexed oligo(ethynyleneporphyrindiylethynylene)s have been prepared that are distinguished by ultralow attenuation factors in single‐molecule conductance.
Slip between the sheets! The intercalation properties of lamellar solid acids have a profound impact on nitrogen doping as well as on the resultant visible‐light photocatalysis, and the effects depend strongly on the protonic acidities of the samples (see figure).
