Retained : An N‐heterocyclic carbene with eight cyclohexyl groups (see figure) provides increased electron density for a highly active olefin metathesis catalyst as well as sufficient steric bulk to allow the efficient separation of such a complex from the organic products in the solvent‐resistant nanofiltration.
Grind and cure: Using the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug naproxen, a novel concept is demonstrated to dramatically enhance the rate of the recently discovered process of deracemization using abrasive grinding. The process relies on a gradual feed of the racemic target material by an in situ conversion.
Click–click cyclopeptides : Well‐defined biomolecular assemblies are synthesized using orthogonal oxime bond formation and copper(I)‐mediated alkyne–azide cycloaddition reactions in a stepwise or in a one‐pot approach. To illustrate this strategy, regioselective ligation of biologically relevant peptides onto a cyclopeptidic scaffold was performed.
Novel thin‐film materials have been produced from indolo[3,2,1‐jk]carbazole (see picture). These are conducting and redox‐active and, unusually, consist of three distinct covalently coupled luminescent dimer species, consistent with a specific radical‐cation coupling mechanism.
Split‐and‐mix libraries are an excellent tool for the identification of peptides that induce the formation of Ag nanoparticles in the presence of either light or sodium ascorbate to reduce Ag+ ions. Structurally diverse peptides were detected in colorimetric on‐bead screenings that generate Ag nanoparticles of different sizes, as confirmed by SEM and X‐ray powder diffraction studies.
Functional monolayers : RuII and OsII bis‐terpyridine complexes have been attached through a piperazine‐supported dithiocarbamate to a gold substrate (see picture). The robust tether, and the favourable reduction in oxidation potential induced by the electron‐rich piperazine result in self‐assembled monolayers with excellent reversible redox behaviour and exceptional stability.
