Taking the reins : The title transformation of thioamides and N‐diphenylphosphinoyl imines is described. By harnessing the power of cooperative catalysis between a soft Lewis acid and a hard Brønsted base, thioamide carbon pronucleophiles can furnish Mannich products (see scheme). Divergent transformation of the thioamide functionality highlights the utility of this methodology.
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.
Chain change : Variations in the position, number, and chain length of the n‐alkoxy chains readily tune the liquid‐crystalline properties of 2,5‐diaryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives from smectic to hexagonal columnar mesophases at room temperature. The calamitic S‐heterocyclic compounds show electrical conductivity in both solid and liquid‐crystal states.
Finely tuned: Carbon nanotubes are exposed to a CF4 radio‐frequency plasma (see picture). High‐resolution photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the treatment effectively grafts fluorine atoms onto the MWCNTs, altering the valence electronic states. Fluorine surface concentration can be tuned by varying the exposure time.
Functionalized nanodiamonds : Various functional groups have been incorporated into the structures of the naturally occurring diamondoids [1(2)3]tetramantane and [12312]hexamantane (cyclohexamantane), which represent hydrogen‐terminated prism‐shaped nanodiamonds (see picture). The attachment points define the use of these diamond‐like molecules as geometric building blocks for a variety of applications.
Let's stick together : The gelation ability of a dendritic gelator has been enhanced by its complexation with a polyelectrolyte (see figure). This concept provides a route to construct novel functional or ordered materials by complexation of other low‐molecular‐mass functional species with polyelectrolytes.
