Going through the phases : The title reaction was found to proceed by an initial base‐mediated isomerization to allenyl esters and subsequent phase transfer catalyzed alkylation at the α position of the ester (see scheme).
Self‐assembly line : In the presence of a DNA analyte or low‐molecular‐weight substrates, multicomponent nucleic acids self‐assemble into cooperatively stabilized functional nanostructures (see scheme) that activate DNAzyme cascades.
In a new light : The NADPH:protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) oxidoreductase (POR; see structure, green Pchlide, yellow NADPH) is a good model to investigate catalytical processes in enzymes, as its light activation allows an immediate start of the catalyzed reaction. By irradiation with weak, short laser pulses it is possible to detect conformation changes during the reaction and thus to uncover the elementary steps of the catalytic process.
Perfluorination: The fully fluorinated analogue of pentaphenylborole (see structure; B gray, C black, F green) has been prepared using successive transmetallation reactions involving Zr and Sn heterocycles. The highly moisture‐sensitive borole is a new member of the perfluoroaryl borane family, a class of antiaromatic compounds of fundamental significance to concepts of aromaticity.
Molecular switches : Highly efficient acido‐ and photoswitchable frequency doublers (see scheme) based on the indolinooxazolidine core are studied by means of hyper‐Rayleigh experiments and quantum‐chemical calculations.
Double trouble : A hybrid organic–inorganic (organometallic) inhibitor was designed to target glutathione transferases. The metal center is used to direct protein binding, while the organic moiety acts as the active‐site inhibitor (see picture). The mechanism of inhibition was studied using a range of biophysical and biochemical methods.
