ReacTiO 2 ns for rings : Gold nanoparticles supported on TiO2 are used as a novel heterogeneous catalyst for the isomerization of epoxides to allylic alcohols by a concerted mechanism (see scheme). The reaction proceeds in high yields and the product selectivity is often remarkable.
Doing the hula twist? A photochemically stimulated inversion of an sp2‐hybridized oxygen atom upon simultaneous rotation of two adjacent bonds may be possible in a pure singlet excited potential energy surface in uninhibited fluid media (see scheme).
Fast moving : A new pentad (see figure) composed of silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc), as electron donor, that is connected with two units of naphthalenediimide (NDI) and fullerene C60, as electron acceptors, undergoes fast and efficient charge‐separation processes via the NDI and SiPc singlet excited states.
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).
Storage facility : A dihydrogen complex formed in transition‐metal‐doped NaAlH4 was found to play important roles in hydrogen release/uptake (see figure). Electronic structure analysis revealed that the electron transfer between hydrogen and Al groups was mediated by the d orbitals of transition metals. Hydrogen release/uptake from the transition‐metal‐doped NaAlH4 was accompanied by an exchange of Al? H and H? H bond ligands through σ‐bond metathesis.
Squashy cage : A flexible, spongelike, and reversible metal‐binding Cu2L2 cage that can adjust its internal space in response to pyrazine and its derivatives based on a recognition sequence of pyrazine, 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine, and 2‐methylpyrazine (see figure) is described.
Symbiosis: Far‐infrared spectra can be used to check the quality of force fields for molecular dynamics simulations of ionic liquids. On the other hand, MD simulations can explain the molecular basis of measured properties for this new liquid material (see picture).
Sialome sweet sialome : As sialic acids are involved in many host–pathogen recognition events and are markers of embryonic and malignant tissues, there is great interest in methods for the enrichment and identification of sialylated glycoproteins from complex tissues. Now N‐(4‐pentynoyl)mannosamine can be used to metabolically label sialylated glycoproteins in living animals, enabling future identification of new biomarkers.
The first ratiometric fluorescent probe for hypochlorite has been developed through regulation of the electron‐withdrawing ability of the electron acceptor in an intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) system by a deoximation reaction (see figure; EWG=electron‐withdrawing group).
Cyclization versus propagation : The copolymerization behavior of a dendritic macromonomer with a metal‐containing linker is controlled by the dendrimer size and its structural rigidity. Structurally more flexible dendritic monomers tend to form more cyclic oligomers than structurally rigid monomers (see figure).
Triethylamine hydroiodide crystals were formed during Sonogashira reactions; after complete reaction the solution retains a characteristic light color (see picture). Very sluggish Sonogashira reactions of electron‐enriched aryl diiodides have been carried out in high yield in an oxygen‐free, two‐chamber reaction system. The formation of triethylamine hydroiodide crystals was monitored to determine the completion of reaction.
Don′t tell azole : The first metal‐catalyzed direct coupling of metal sulfides with aryl halides and subsequent intramolecular condensation provided substituted benzothiazoles (see scheme). A wide range of functional groups are tolerated under the reaction conditions.
