Direct Imaging of Octahedral Distortion in a Complex Molybdenum Vanadium Mixed Oxide

Complex Mo,V‐based mixed oxides that crystallize in the orthorhombic M1‐type structure are promising candidates for the selective oxidation of small alkanes. The oxygen sublattice of such a complex oxide has been studied by annular bright field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The recorded micrographs directly display the local distortion in the metal oxygen octahedra. From the degree of distortion we are able to draw conclusions on the distribution of oxidation states in the cation columns at different sites. The results are supported by X‐ray diffraction and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements that provide integral details about the crystal structure and spin coupling, respectively.     

Next‐Generation o‐Nitrobenzyl Photolabile Groups for Light‐Directed Chemistry and Microarray Synthesis

Light as an external trigger is a valuable and easily controllable tool for directing chemical reactions with high spatial and temporal accuracy. Two o‐nitrobenzyl derivatives, benzoyl‐ and thiophenyl‐NPPOC, undergo photo‐deprotection with significantly improved efficiency over that of the commonly used NPPOC group. The two‐ and twelvefold increase in photo‐deprotection efficiency was proven using photolithograph synthesis of microarrays.     

Reductive Catenation of Phosphine Antimony Complexes

Reactions of triarylphosphines with fluoroantimony(III) triflates give phosphine antimony(III) complexes, which undergo spontaneous reductive elimination of fluorophosphonium cations. The resulting phosphine antimony(I) complexes catenate to give the first examples of cationic antimony bicyclic compounds, [(R₃P)₄Sb₆]⁴⁺, featuring a bicyclo[3.1.0]hexastibine framework stabilized by four phosphine ligands. The unprecedented 14‐electron redox process illustrates the generality of the reductive catenation method.     

Tandem Chemoselective Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Enabled by Nucleophile Speciation Control

Control of boronic acid speciation is presented as a strategy to achieve nucleophile chemoselectivity in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction. Combined with simultaneous control of oxidative addition and transmetalation, this enables chemoselective formation of two C? C bonds in a single operation, providing a method for the rapid preparation of highly functionalized carbogenic frameworks.     

Controlled Light‐Mediated Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles by a Norrish Type I Reaction of Photoactive Polymers

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are subjects of broad interest in scientific community due to their promising physicochemical properties. Herein we report the facile and controlled light‐mediated preparation of gold nanoparticles through a Norrish type I reaction of photoactive polymers. These carefully designed polymers act as reagents for the photochemical reduction of gold ions, as well as stabilizers for the in situ generated AuNPs. Manipulating the length and composition of the photoactive polymers allows for control of AuNP size. Nanoparticle diameter can be controlled from 1.5 nm to 9.6 nm.     

Whole‐Genome Sequencing of a Single Viral Species from a Highly Heterogeneous Sample

Metagenomic studies suggest that only a small fraction of the viruses that exist in nature have been identified and studied. Characterization of unknown viral genomes is hindered by the many genomes populating any virus sample. A new method is reported that integrates drop‐based microfluidics and computational analysis to enable the purification of any single viral species from a complex mixed virus sample and the retrieval of complete genome sequences. By using this platform, the genome sequence of a 5243 bp dsDNA virus that was spiked into wastewater was retrieved with greater than 96 % sequence coverage and more than 99.8 % sequence identity. This method holds great potential for virus discovery since it allows enrichment and sequencing of previously undescribed viruses as well as known viruses.