Into my arms : Photochemical cyclization of diarylethenes that have two chiral side arms showed up to 100 % de (see scheme). Introduction of these chiral side arms onto the carbon atoms where ring closure occurs is a general strategy for the highly diastereoselective cyclization of diarylethenes.
Quick access : A concise and efficient formal synthesis of platencin has been accomplished in nine steps from a commercially available starting material. The synthesis utilized only one protecting group. The base‐catalyzed Michael cyclization of precursor 1 afforded the key diketone 2 , which was converted into the desired core structure 4 via the radical intermediate 3 .
Slip between the sheets! The intercalation properties of lamellar solid acids have a profound impact on nitrogen doping as well as on the resultant visible‐light photocatalysis, and the effects depend strongly on the protonic acidities of the samples (see figure).
Nanoparticle brushes : Complex nanostructures can be formed by self assembly of amphiphilic CdSe/CdS core–shell nanoparticles that bear a brushlike layer of poly(ethylene oxide) chains. This route is based on controlling the volume fractions of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties within the particles and allows the formation of micellar, cylindrical, or vesicular nanoobjects (see picture).
On the big screen : A chiral biphenol catalyst screening protocol was developed for the rapid identification of enantioselective nucleophilic boronate reactions with acyl imines (see scheme). The approach successfully identified a unique catalyst for the reaction of aryl, vinyl, and alkynyl boronates. Mechanistic studies demonstrate boronate ligand exchange with the catalyst is necessary for activation towards nucleophilic addition.
En route to molecular electronics : As extended, conjugated oligomers are desirable for molecular electronics, their electrical conductance should display a low attenuation factor. Zinc‐complexed oligo(ethynyleneporphyrindiylethynylene)s have been prepared that are distinguished by ultralow attenuation factors in single‐molecule conductance.
