Comment: 2004's fastest organic and biomolecular chemistry!

In January 2003, the Royal Society of Chemistry launched Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry (OBC)--a journal promising to provide high quality research from all aspects of synthetic, physical and biomolecular organic chemistry. The journal was set to build upon the foundations laid down by its predecessor publications (J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 and J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2) as well as complement the subject coverage already published in prestigious general chemistry journals such as Chemical Communications and Chemical Society Reviews. Nearly two years on, just how is the programme developing and what can the community expect to see from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)?     

A generic approach for the catalytic reduction of nitriles

The scope of nickel boride mediated reduction of nitriles has been extended further to allow the preparation of Boc protected amines via a mild catalytic process. It is noteworthy that the toxicity of this procedure is greatly reduced due to its catalytic nature in nickel(II) chloride used in combination with excess sodium borohydride. The protocol is marked by its resilience towards air and moisture and hence an easy and general practical protocol.     

Multifunctional Redox Polymers: Electrochrome,Polyelectrolyte, Sensor,Electrode Modifier,Nanoparticle Stabilizer,and Catalyst Template

Simple “click” polycondensation metallopolymers of redox‐robust bis(ethynyl)biferrocene (biFc) and di(azido) poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG400 and PEG1000) were designed for multiple functions including improvement of water solubility and biocompatibility, the introduction of mixed valency and sensing capabilities, and as nanoparticle stabilizers for catalysis.     

Palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation using aryltrifluoroborates in conjunction with a MnIII oxidant under mild conditions

This paper describes the development of a mild Pd-catalyzed C–H arylation reaction using potassium aryltrifluoroborates in conjunction with Mn(OAc)₃ as the oxidant. The scope of this transformation is explored with a variety of different aryltrifluoroborates and arylpyridine substrates. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via a high-valent Pd mechanism with C–H activation occurring at or before the rate determining step.