Molecular organization : Chiral benzene tricarboxamides with methyl substituents at defined positions self‐assemble into supramolecular polymers of preferred helicity by three‐fold α‐helical‐type hydrogen bonding. The odd–even effect is operative and all derivatives are liquid crystalline showing a Colho phase (see figure).
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.
Get selective! A selective oxidation of 1,2‐diols to α‐hydroxyketones catalyzed by organotin compounds has been developed (see scheme). Invaluable chemo‐ and stereoselectivity were found in the reaction. The catalytic system has been achieved by electrochemical and chemical oxidation.
Reduction of alizarin molecules coupled to TiO2 nanoparticles occurs on UV irradiation in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor. Reduction is mediated by conduction‐band electrons and yields a 1,2,9,10‐tetrahydroxyanthracene species which remains coupled to the TiO2 nanoparticles (see figure). The process can be reversed by addition of an acceptor (i.e. oxygen).
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.
Three that matter : Metal acetylides from alkyl propiolates allow C3 homologations with transference of their versatile reactivity profile to products that can then react without further elaboration. Metal‐free acetylides, which are generated by the action of a good nucleophile on the alkyl propiolate, react with suitable electrophiles through different domino reactions to generate skeletal diversity.
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.
Shine a light with cyanates : A novel approach for the synthesis of urea complexes and homoleptic cyanates of alkaline earth metals and europium is described. The compounds have been fully characterized, including their magnetism and temperature‐dependent luminescence properties (see graphic).
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.
A facile, self‐seeded , solution–liquid–solid growth of soluble InP and GaP nanowires with a very low amount of native point defects with respect to the carrier concentrations have been synthesized (see scheme) and characterized. They are potentially promising building blocks in optoelectronic applications.
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.
