“My first experiment was preparation of proline‐derived chiral ligands for asymmetric alkylation. My favorite subjects at school were history and English…?.” This and more about Keisuke Suzuki can be found on page 2635.
Ring any bells? The differential capacitance curve of Au(100) in neat [BMI]BF4 (BMI=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) ionic liquid has a bell‐shaped feature (see picture). The adsorption of BMI+ shows a disorder–order transition and depends on the structure of the surface. Ordered adsorption in a micelle‐like structure stabilizes the underlying Au surface.
Last but not least : A simple molecular redox system is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen photochemically. Two separate photolyses are combined to a cyclic process (see scheme). Osmocene ([Cp2OsII] with Cp?=C5H5?) serves as photocatalyst.
As simple as it gets! Potassium tert‐butoxide alone catalyzes the direct dehydrogenative Si? O coupling of several synthetically important silanes with 1°, 2°, and even 3° alcohols without the need for stoichiometric hydrochloric acid scavengers. The stereoretentive mechanism is probed with a silicon‐stereogenic silane.
Preferred protonation : Does electrospray ionization mass spectrometry produce gas‐phase or liquid‐phase structures? The preferred protonation site in p‐aminobenzoic acid depends upon the medium, and the structure of its conjugate acid varies with the solvent used during spraying.
Mark us bent! The synthesis, structure, and single‐ and two‐photon spectroscopic properties of a series of pyrimidine‐based (bent‐shaped) molecules are reported. These allow structure‐property relationships and guidelines for both the development and application of TPA compounds to be derived.
?The biggest challenge facing scientists is finding a way to make clean energy. If I could have dinner with three famous scientists from history, they would be Marie Curie, Dmitri Mendeleev, and Henri Moissan. …?“ This and more about Véronique Gouverneur can be found on page 3559.
Macrolide magic : An enyne cross‐metathesis reaction of an alkynyl boronate with an alkene derivative as well as a radical cyclization reaction of a homopropargylic β‐alkoxyacrylate are the key transformations in the total synthesis of the cytotoxic macrolide (?)‐amphidinolide K.
The true ground state of 1 is a matter of debate, but for clarity and convenience the allene resonance form 1 a , is the most appropriate. The arguments for aromaticity made by Christl and Engels are shown to be incorrect.
Forces to reckon with : Supramolecular complexes, such as the one shown, are normally based on a combination of different interactions such as ion pairing, hydrogen bonds, and stacking interactions. The not always simple characterization of the nature and strength of intermolecular forces provides assistance to the understanding of biomimetic systems, as well as for the design of synthetic receptors, drugs, and intelligent materials.
Conditional cleavage : Photochemical S? N bond cleavage of the Zn2+ complex of N‐dansylcyclen (ZnL2) in aqueous solution was investigated. Moreover, photolysis of ZnL2 (see scheme) facilitated photoreversion of cis,syn‐thymine photodimer (T[c,s]T).
Always on the move : Molecular dynamics of perylene cores in columnar structures influences the processability and self‐healing of these materials. A combination of X‐ray scattering and advanced solid‐state NMR methods show that these systems have restricted angular mobility of the cores even in the frozen phase, and a cooperative spiral type of motion in the liquid crystalline phase (see picture).
Eines der Haupttoxine bei Fischvergiftungen, das Ciguatoxin (siehe Struktur), war Ziel einer Totalsynthese. Der Syntheseweg beruht auf der Kupplung dreier Segmente, und die Schlüsselumwandlungen umfassen eine Komplexbildung zwischen Acetylen und Dicobalthexacarbonyl.
Bright funnels : A series of dendritic systems, which are capable of funneling energy from the periphery to the core, have been synthesized. The photophysical properties of dendrimers have been determined. Selective excitation of the donor leads to an efficient energy transfer (>90 %) to the acceptor. The approach provides a facile synthesis for the modification of near‐infrared BF2‐Azadipyrromethenes.
Tea time! Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) could be readily prepared by a general strategy involving the reduction of aqueous HAuCl4 in the presence of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Spheroidal and triangular gold nanoparticles were observed depending on the TCM used. The strategy exemplified the universal application of plant bioresources for the synthesis of GNPs and catalytic purposes.
