Divergent Chemistry Paths for 3D and 1D Metallo‐Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs)

The marriage of dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) and coordination chemistry is a powerful tool for assembling complex architectures from simple building units. Recently, the synthesis of woven covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with topologically fascinating structures has been achieved using this approach. However, the scope is highly limited and there is a need to discover new pathways that can assemble covalently linked organic threads into crystalline frameworks. Herein, we have identified branching pathways leading to the assembly of three‐dimensional (3D) woven COFs or one‐dimensional (1D) metallo‐COFs (mCOFs), where the mechanism is underpinned by the absence or presence of ligand exchange.     

Recent developments in chemical conjugation strategies targeting native amino acids in proteins and their applications in antibody–drug conjugates

Many fields in chemical biology and synthetic biology require effective bioconjugation methods to achieve their desired functions and activities. Among such biomolecule conjugates, antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) need a linker that provides a stable linkage between cytotoxic drugs and antibodies, whilst conjugating in a biologically benign, fast and selective fashion. This review focuses on how the development of novel organic synthesis can solve the problems of traditional linker technology. The review shall introduce and analyse the current developments in the modification of native amino acids on peptides or proteins and their applicability to ADC linker. Thereafter, the review shall discuss in detail each endogenous amino acid''s intrinsic reactivity and selectivity aspects, and address the research effort to construct an ADC using each conjugation method.

The review shall introduce and analyse the current developments in the chemical modification of native amino acids on peptides or proteins and their applicability to ADC linkers.     

Femtosecond laser ionization and fragmentation of molecules for environmental sensing

Recent studies have demonstrated that femtosecond laser pulses have high potential in application to environmental science. Because of the properties of ultrafast, broadband and high power, the propagation of femtosecond laser pulses in air can lead to the generation of a strong field of 10¹³–10¹⁴ W/cm² with a large distance range from meter to kilometers. The strong laser field induces ionization and fragmentation of molecules in the laser propagation path, resulting in characteristic fingerprint emissions. This paper mainly focuses on recent research advances in environmental sensing by using femtosecond laser pulses through strong‐field‐induced ionization and fragmentation of molecules. The fingerprint emissions of molecules in strong laser fields are discussed based on the understanding of strong‐field–molecule interactions in atmospheric as well as in vacuum environments. This is followed by a comprehensive review of several recently developed optical methods for coherent control of fingerprint emissions of molecules. Lastly, both current challenges and a future perspective of this dynamic field are discussed.

     

Tetracopper σ-Bound μ-Acetylide and -Diyne Units Stabilized by a Naphthyridine-based Dinucleating Ligand

Reactions of a dicopper(I) tert-butoxide complex with alkynes possessing boryl or silyl capping groups resulted in formation of unprecedented tetracopper(I) μ-acetylide/diyne complexes that were characterized by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These compounds possess an unusual μ₄-η¹:η¹:η¹:η¹ coordination mode for the bridging organic fragment, enforced by the rigid and dinucleating nature of the ligand utilized. Thus, the central π system remains unperturbed and accessible for subsequent reactivity and modification. This has been corroborated by addition of a fifth copper atom, giving rise to a pentacopper acetylide complex. This work may provide a new approach by which metal-metal cooperativity can be exploited in the transformation of acetylide and diyne groups to a variety of substrates, or as a starting point for the controlled synthesis of copper(I) alkyne-containing clusters.     

An investigation on electrochemical behavior of nanosize zinc sulfide electrode in lithium-ion cells

Nanosize zinc sulfides were synthesized through the chemical reaction method. The as-prepared zinc sulfide nanopowders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical testing. The results revealed that zinc sulfide electrodes exhibited a reversible lithium storage capacity of about 400 mAh/g with stable cyclability. Zinc sulfide nanopowders show promise as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.