Kept in the dark : The non‐photocatalytic generation of free radicals from fine and ultrafine TiO2 particles has been studied by means of a spin‐trapping/ESR spectroscopy technique (see figure). The amount and kind of free radicals generated depends on the crystalline structure, but not on the particle dimensions.
Active but unselective : Nucleoside triphosphates possessing glucose moieties (such as those depicted) instead of the natural furanose rings are recognised by the active sites of polymerases. Polymerases therefore seem to be very unspecific in their recognition patterns.
Finally, a structure with well‐resolved C 60 3? ions and S=1/2 spin system : The two novel title compounds have clearly S=1/2 and not S=3/2 electronic states, as expected for the occupation of the triply degenerate LUMO of C60. These structures with well‐ordered fullerene trianions show that the expected Jahn–Teller distortion is not observable in X‐ray diffraction experiments.
Easy and direct : Regioselective Mizoroki–Heck‐coupling reactions using heteroaromatic tosylates as electrophiles were achieved, thus providing direct and easy access to highly functionalized α‐heteroarylvinyl amides and ethers.
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.
Beyond stripes : The extreme lipophobicity of perfluorinated chains attached to amphiphilic thiolates triggers the formation of “stars” (or patches) surrounded by amphiphilic alkylthiolates in three‐dimensional self‐assembled monolayers. This strategy led to the first example of a water‐soluble multicompartment monolayer wrapped around a gold core.
Something fishy : Ciguatoxin (see structure) is one of the principal toxins involved in ciguatera poisoning and the target of a total synthesis involving the coupling of three segments. The key transformations in this synthesis feature acetylene–dicobalthexacarbonyl complexation.
Silica scaffolding : By employing functionalized mesoporous SBA‐15 silica, novel fluorescent cruciform‐silica hybrid materials are generated which preserve the desirable solution properties of cruciforms in the solid state for potential use in sensory schemes.
Secondary, but second to none : The use of secondary alkyl halides in transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions (see scheme) has advanced significantly over the last five years. Selected examples of these transformations are examined, including mechanistic and stereochemical aspects.
