A black whole : The black insoluble biopolymer eumelanin is prepared through the oxidative polymerization of 5,6‐dihydroxyindoles (see scheme). It has a largely unknown heterogeneous structure and unique optoelectronic properties. Current structural models are presented and possible applications are discussed.
Oil and water : A new energy‐efficient and atom‐economical catalytic route for the production of alkanes and methanol by upgrading the phenolic fraction of bio‐oil has been developed. The one‐pot aqueous‐phase hydrodeoxygenation process is based on two catalysts facilitating consecutive hydrogenation, hydrolysis, and dehydration reactions.
Smaller nonmetallic nanoparticles are more inert: Metal–insulator transition of Au nanoparticles on silica is closely related to the metal–support charge transfer, which has a strong influence on chemisorption reactivity of Au. Smaller nonmetallic Au nanoparticles are more resistant towards butanethiol chemisorption (see picture and graph).
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.
'Onium rings : Incorporation of the trivalent oxygen atom as a structural element within the tricyclic core of 1 – 3 imparts unprecedented stability to this “extraordinary” class of tertiary oxonium ions. Cation 1 is the least reactive and can be refluxed in water for 72 hours with no noticeable decomposition.
Deep‐water scrolls: It is demonstrated that amphiphilic rods containing lateral flexible chains self‐assemble into two‐dimensional sheets in aqueous solution (see picture). Remarkably, the sheets roll up reversibly into tubular scrolls upon heating, as confirmed by cryo‐transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.
Our Schiff has come in : A homochiral porous lamellar solid based on chiral unsymmetrical Schiff base metal complexes was assembled by using coordination and hydrogen bonds (see picture). The host features a flexible helical framework and chiral amphiphilic channel surfaces capable of multiple interactions with guest species.
Self‐sorting dynamic library : The effector‐induced modulation of the shape and constitution of the members of a constitutional dynamic network (see scheme) allows for the regulation of the interconnected constituents and for the control of an emergent function, here the generation of an optical output which originates from a charge‐transfer interaction.
