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.
Simple, versatile and green : Diels–Alder “click” chemistry is a simple, versatile and “greener” approach in the design of a diverse range of dendritic macromolecules (see scheme).
Like pearls on a string , molecular building blocks have been preorganized and then interlinked on a surface (see STM images). In this way both the supramolecular self‐assembly of the reactants as well as the subsequent thermal activation to release the protecting group are controlled.
Triangular luminescent box : Self‐assembly of a new multidentate receptor with europium cations results in the formation of trinuclear discrete complexes. X‐ray crystallography shows that nine‐coordinate cations are linked by ligands to provide a triangular complex in the solid state and in solution. Despite the coordinated solvent molecules, this topologically unusual complex exhibits remarkable luminescent properties.
What a difference ! The energy differences between anti and syn conformers as well as the energy barrier for the rotation around the aryl–aryl bond of a number of 2,2′‐bipyridine molecules were examined by quantum‐chemical methods. The energy differences were found to be governed by the substituents directly attached to the bipyridine and their ability to form intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
How deep is your orbital? Density functional theory studies on the axial ligand effect of aliphatic versus aromatic hydroxylation of ethylbenzene by iron–oxo complexes with a variable axial ligand show that strong (anionic) ligands pull the metal inside the plane of the haeme and destabilise cationic intermediates through orbital interactions (see picture).
Osmabenzenes can be easily synthesized from two η2‐coordinated olefin osmacycles in the presence of benzonitrile by means of facile hydrogen‐transfer conversions (see graphic). Mechanisms for the formation of osmabenzenes are proposed based on DFT calculations.
United in effort : The combined application of iminium (Im) and enamine (En) catalysts can effect a range of valuable asymmetric transformations including 1,2‐hydroamination, ‐hydro‐oxidation, and ‐amino‐oxidation of olefins (see picture). An enantioselective organocascade catalysis was also applied in the synthesis of a complex natural product.
Synthetic sequel : The transition‐metal‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition is an established method for the construction of carbocyclic frameworks but is often plagued by poor selectivity. Recent literature paints a promising picture—a more general metal‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition can be accomplished intermolecularly using three separate alkynes to furnish highly substituted arenas (see scheme).
Propelling magnetism : Supramolecular organization leads to a remarkable dodecanuclear {Cu3Dy3}2 cluster with a “double–propeller” shape (see picture). The linkages of the CuDy units, both intramolecular and supramolecular, appear to be responsible for a drastic change in the single molecule magnetic behavior.
