Effective devotion : An efficient cobalt‐catalyzed method devoted to the formation of symmetrical biaryls is described avoiding the preparation of organometallic reagents. Various aromatic halides functionalized by a variety of reactive group reagents are employed. Preliminary DFT calculations have shown that the involvement of a CoI/CoIII couple is realistic at least in the case of 1,3‐diazadienes as ligands (FG=functional group).
Tungsten tryst : A 4‐H‐butatrienylidene complex of tungsten was successfully isolated and structurally characterized. It undergoes a unique self‐coupling, which leads to a dimer (see picture; P pink, O red) with a cross‐conjugated π system and with electrochemically and magnetically active metal centers.
The novel Yb succinate metal–organic framework exhibits a reversible single‐crystal to single‐crystal polymorphic transformation (see figure) when it is heated above 130 °C, returning to its initial form when back at room temperature. This transformation produces a change in the coordination sphere of the Yb atoms, which influences the catalytic activity of the material.
Finding a clear route to new structures : The design of an adaptable time warping (ATW) methodology (see figure) for automatically, quickly, and reliably deciphering X‐ray diffraction patterns is described.
A sensitive family : The first total synthesis of the antitumor agents neolaulimalide and isolaulimalide as well as a highly efficient route to laulimalide is described. A Kulinkovich reaction followed by a cyclopropyl–allyl rearrangement is used to install the exo‐methylene group. The cytotoxicity of neolaulimalide could be confirmed for the first time since its original isolation and it could be shown that it induces tubulin polymerization as efficiently as laulimalide.
Double or nothing : The title reaction converts a range of aromatic aldehydes and allenylmethyl/allyl silanes into 1,6‐dioxecane derivatives in good to excellent yields (see scheme; Ar=aryl, Tf=triflate, THF=tetrahydrofuran, TMS=trimethylsilyl). In addition, the bisdiene product has been transformed into the corresponding tricyclic compound through a Diels–Alder reaction.
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.
Shining metal cups : A luminescent tube of triangular cross‐section and stoppered by a silver ion (see picture: Re yellow, N blue, O red) is formed in two steps from commercial materials. The silver ion can be removed to give a tube, and both species are potential hosts for small ions and molecules; a change in luminescence is triggered by the encapsulation of silver.
A practical and sustainable chemical process for the synthesis of highly substituted aldol?lactol products was achieved for the first time through the asymmetric Barbas–List aldol (BLA) reaction of 2‐hydroxybenzaldehydes with acetone in the presence of a catalytic amount of trans‐4‐OH‐L ‐proline (see scheme).
