Houk, Garg, and colleagues report in Nature a new and intriguing synthetic method for coupling strained cyclic allenes and bicyclo[1.1.0]butanes through σ-bond insertion along a diradical pathway under mild conditions and ambient temperature. Geometric distortion induces diradical behavior, driving the reaction. This study enables the direct synthesis of functionalized bicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes, opening

Alkaline zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are recognized as a promising candidate for next generation of safe battery systems, owing to their inherent advantages. However, the performance of traditional ZABs is constrained by a lower theoretical voltage of 1.65 V, presenting a significant challenge in enhancing their practical application. This paper demonstrates a prototype of acid-alkaline hybrid quasi-solid-state

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL)-active materials have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in various advanced technological fields. CPL activity typically requires compounds that crystallize in noncentrosymmetric chiral space groups. Achieving noncentrosymmetric crystal structures using achiral molecular architectures is highly appealing but remains a significant

Membrane-electrode assembly (MEA)-based CO electrolysis (COE) has demonstrated the capability to produce C2+ products with high faradaic efficiency at ampere-level current densities. However, most studies on COE have achieved performance benchmarks under strongly alkaline conditions (e.g., ≥1 M KOH, pH ≥ 14), raising the question of whether such high pH levels are essential for optimal performance

Inspired by the exquisite properties emerging from the sequence order in nucleic acids and proteins, researchers are increasingly considering synthetic sequence-defined macromolecules (SDMs) to reach precise functions, e.g. for catalysis, data storage, energy, and health. While researchers develop iterative techniques permitting the synthesis of perfectly defined sequences, there is still an important

The upcycling of waste polyolefins into light aromatics has great potential to generate hundreds of millions of tons of valuable aromatic carbon feedstock. However, the conventional high-temperature radical cracking method for aromatizing polyolefins on zeolites faces challenges in aromaticity control and rapid deactivation due to coke. Here, we present a unique strategy that integrates traditional

The ortho-carboranyl carbophosphinocarbene (CPC) has been synthesized through a click-type reaction between the super strained carborane-fused borirane 1,2-BN(SiMe3)2-1,2-C2B10H10 and Bestmann ylide Ph3PCCO. The [Cl(CO)2Ir-CPC] and [Cl3Ga-CPC] complexes were synthesized, allowing the measurement of their Tolman electronic parameter (TEP) and the sum of Cl-Ga-Cl bond angles (∑ClGaCl), respectively.

Electrochemical reforming presents a sustainable route for the conversion of nitrate (NO3-) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into value-added chemicals, such as ammonia (NH3) and formic acid (HCOOH). However, its widespread application has been constrained by low selectivity due to the complexity of reduction processes and thus energy scaling limitations. In this study, the atomically dispersed

Helix assemblies of chiral molecules can transfer microscopic unimolecular chirality to macroscopic supramolecular chirality, enhancing various chiral properties. In addition to the commonly observed spiral-column-like helix assembly, a small number of spiral-stair-like helix assemblies have also been reported in aromatic nanocarbons with multiple chirality-related irregularities. However, they require

Passivation of magnesium (Mg) anode in the chloride-free magnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Mg(TFSI)2) electrolyte is a key challenge for Mg metal batteries. Tailoring solvation structure and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) has been considered an effective strategy. Herein, a series of imidazole co-solvents with different branched-chain structures (methyl, ethyl and propyl) are introduced

Orientation and distance-dependent intervalence charge transfer phenomenon is demonstrated in far-red capturing zinc phthalocyanine dimers connected by a bis-acetylene-phenyl π-spacer (ortho, meta, or para positions) upon oxidizing one of the phthalocyanine rings, resulting in split oxidation waves and a new optical transition in the near-infrared region. Optical studies initially probed the symmetry-breaking

Optical components and circuits for signal generation and processing are essential for artificial neural networks (ANNs). We present a four-layered organic optical waveguide architecture that mimics an ANN. This structure is constructed from flexible organic crystals of (E)-1-(((5-methylpyridin-2-yl)imino)methyl)naphthalene-2-ol (MPyIN) using an atomic force microscopy cantilever tip-based micromanipulation

The synthesis and catalytic properties of Ni(II) complexes with the general formula Ni(NHC)[P(OR)3](Ar)Cl is described. These complexes are air-stable and extremely effective precatalysts in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The reaction protocols described allow for the cross-coupling of aryl chlorides and arylboronic acids, employing low catalytic loading, to deliver a large variety of

Aptamers, which are short, single-stranded DNA or RNA, are capable of binding to a wide array of targets with exceptional selectivity. Those with high affinity for theophylline have the potential to serve as biosensors, crucial for tracking theophylline levels in the treatment of respiratory conditions. Despite the extensive structural characterization of the RNA theophylline aptamer, the DNA counterpart’s

Photoreduction of CO2 using copper-based multi-atom catalysts (MACs) offers a potential approach to achieve value-added C2+ products. However, achieving MACs with high metal contents and suppressing the thermodynamically favored competing ethylene production pathway remain challenging, thus leading to unsatisfactory performance in ethanol production. Herein, we developed a ‘pre-locking and nanoconfined

Tuning the catalytic pathways of atomically dispersed single-atom catalysts (SAC) has emerged as an effective strategy to optimize their overall catalytic activity. Herein, we present Ru1@m-tube, a hollow carbon nitride-supported Ru SAC, coated with eutectic galinstan (GaInSn), as a model catalyst, we demonstrate a performance inversion in vanillin conversion. Vanillin, as a biomass-derived compound

The 2005 finding of cells and blood vessels in dinosaur bone launched a systematic search for fossil remnants of biomolecules, creating innovations in methods and applications.

Excavations at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, reveal evidence of the systematic use of animal bones as a raw material for prehistoric tools.

Inherited repeat mutations in the HTT gene expand in neurons over decades before crossing a toxic threshold, revealing a long time window for therapy.

The bioplastic was malleable, but is more expensive to produce than are plastics made from fossil fuels.

First glimpse of the colour of mammals who lived alongside dinosaurs. Plus, what anti-vaccine rhetoric in the US government will mean for the country’s health and, in a world first, a man has survived with a titanium heart for 100 days.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of porous crystalline materials based on reticular and dynamic covalent chemistry. Flexible molecular design strategies, tunable porosity, modifiable frameworks, and atomically precise structures have made them powerful platforms for developing advanced devices in energy storage and conversion. In particular, the emergence of COF membranes has dramatically

Non-fullerene acceptors-based organic solar cells (NF-OSCs) have achieved notable advancement during the past few years. Recently, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) has surpassed 20 % due to the development of new photovoltaic materials and device optimization strategies, however, inferior stability is still a key obstacle that limits its commercialization which is mainly due to a lack of understanding

Mechano-electric conversion fibers (MECFs) represent a groundbreaking innovation in smart textiles, integrating the high-efficiency mechanical energy conversion of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with superior wearability and comfort inherent in textile materials. Despite notable advancements in MECFs, comprehensive reviews and in-depth discussions of their fundamental principles and unique advantages

The surface post-treatment of perovskite films is regarded as one of the most effective methods for enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and is essential for achieving high-efficiency PSCs. However, a universal strategy for surface post-treatment that accommodates different A-site components and various bandgaps of perovskites has often been overlooked. In this study, we propose

The majority of host/guest materials used in organic solar cells (OSCs) are currently synthesized via Stille reaction, which suffers from poor atom/step economics, low cost-effectiveness, and environmental risks. Therefore, organic photovoltaic materials synthesized through low-cost and green methods are highly required. Here, an A-D-D-A type guest acceptor D-IDT was designed and synthesized by a tin-free

Sulfide electrolytes have emerged as the preferred choice for solid-state sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries due to their excellent compatibility with sulfur cathodes. Despite their advantages, such as high ionic conductivity, mechanical flexibility, and enhanced safety, challenges like narrow electrochemical stability windows and inadequate interfacial contact persist and require urgent resolution. Contrary

Hybrid energy harvesters offer promising solutions for powering distributed sensors. However, achieving optimal synergy among multiple energy sources to attain superior performance remains challenging. Herein, we proposed an ultrahigh performance electric-field and vibration hybrid energy harvester leveraging induced charge excitation strategy (ICE-EVH). Induced charges generated by the electric-field

Generation of structural analogs to “parent” molecule(s) of interest remains one of the important elements of drug development. Ideally, such analogs should be synthesizable by concise and robust synthetic routes. The current work illustrates how this process can be facilitated by a computational pipeline spanning (i) diversification of the parent via bioisosteric replacements, (ii) retrosynthesis

Precise regulation of the active site of molecular catalysts is appealing because it could catch a glimpse of the catalytic mechanism and possibly provide a new strategy for catalyst design. A ruthenium complex [Ru(dppMe, COMe)(bipy)(Cl)] (CSU-3) containing -Me and -COMe substituted dipyridylpyrrole as pincer ligand was designed and synthesized. Complex CSU-3 featured the Cl- ligand at axial position

Efficient synthetic methods are urgently needed to produce graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with diverse structures and functions. Precise control over the topological edges of GNRs is also crucial for achieving diverse molecular topologies and desirable electro-optical properties. This study demonstrates a highly efficient "Shotgun" synthesis of thiophene-backbone arcuate GNRs, offering a significant advantage

Macrocyclic hosts which can bind two guests simultaneously with high affinity, such as, cucurbit[8]uril, are highly useful for a wide range of application by acting as noncovalent connectors. However, the integration of stimuli-controlled release properties into such robust noncovalent connectors would be even more desirable. Here, we introduce Naph-SAC4A, a naphthyl-extended deep-cavity azocalix[4]arene

The traditional view of sulfides as stable active centers has hindered the development of a clear structure-activity relationship and the rational design of high-performance oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. In this study, we focus on regulating sulfide reconstruction and have synthesized a carefully designed Fe-Ni3S4/Cr2O3 pre-catalyst. Under the combined influence of the built-in electric