Dipolar aggregation : Examples of a novel class of tweezer molecules have been constructed through the tethering of two dipolar merocyanine chromophores. The electrostatic‐interaction‐directed self‐assembly of these tweezers affords centrosymmetric bimolecular complexes with a unique aggregate geometry of four π‐stacked chromophores (see picture) with an alternating arrangement of their dipole moments and very high dimerization constants, even in the good solvating solvent chloroform.
Very long range surface‐enhanced Raman scattering is observed from a nickel nanowire that is separated by 120 nm from a pair of gold nanodisks. The excitation of the surface‐plasmon resonance (SPR) from the gold nanodisk pair generates an enhanced electromagnetic field near the nickel segment (SEM, left), leading to Raman intensity greater than the nickel alone (right).
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.
Easy come, easy go: Hydroquinone forms a channel structure of cages with hydrogen‐bonded hexagons. These may provide an ideal route for the fast inclusion and facile release of hydrogen molecules (see figure), which can lead to reversible hydrogen storage under mild conditions.
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.
