Involuntary association : Anionic β‐galactosidase enzymes associate with positively charged Au nanoparticles to produce reduced‐charge conjugates, which assemble at oil–water interfaces to result in stable microcapsules (see picture). The microcapsules were formed quickly and showed high enzymatic activity, which makes them promising materials for biotechnology applications.
First insights into the reaction between a Baylis–Hillman adduct and an allene moiety have been obtained from the novel domino heterocyclization/cross‐coupling reaction of α‐allenols and Baylis–Hillman acetates, which furnishes [(2,5‐dihydrofuran‐3‐yl)methyl]acrylate derivatives in moderate to good yields.
A facile wet route was applied to prepare a series of chalcogenide semiconductor nanocrystals (see figure) in controllable shapes and sizes, while a general bottom‐up approach was adopted to transform these cyclohexane‐soluble monodisperse nanocrystals into water‐soluble colloidal spheres.
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.
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).
Target detection by the naked eye : The action of an RNA‐cleaving allosteric DNAzyme in response to ligand binding was coupled to a rolling circle amplification process to generate long single‐stranded DNA molecules for colorimetric sensing (see scheme). Upon hybridization of the resulting DNA with a complementary PNA sequence in the presence of a duplex‐binding dye, the color of the dye changed from blue to purple.
Buckle up! The dimerization of small fluorescent guests is strongly enhanced in presence of a cyclodextrin host. The host cavity acts like a belt to assist the self‐assembly of guests (see picture). Small variations in the guest structure have significant influence on the stability and geometry of the aggregates.
Music of the spheres : Infinite coordination polymerization of Zn2+ ions and a multitopic ligand produces metal–organic micro‐ and nanospheres that can be used as functional matrices. The spheres can encapsulate combinations of active substances, such as organic dyes, magnetic nanoparticles, or luminescent quantum dots (see image), which results in spheres that are luminescent in the blue, green, and red regions of the spectrum.
All‐organic nanostructured host–guest materials (see picture) show enhanced, tunable fluorescence due to a high concentration of dyes with controlled spatial and geometrical organization that allows controlled resonant energy transfer. Homogeneous films of deoxycholic acid host–guests, provide coatings that convert near‐UV light into blue light with an efficiency higher than that of the standard polymeric blends.
Catalyze this! Detailed study of the mechanism of asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis catalyzed by VO(salen)X complexes (see figure) led to the development of VO(salen)NCS, as the most active vanadium‐based catalyst yet developed for this reaction.
