Review Articles

Disorder in redox-active monolayers arising from pinhole defects, loose packing, heterogeneous distribution of redox-active headgroups, and lateral interactions between immobilized redox-active molecules can cause non-ideal cyclic voltammetry behaviour.

Compartmentalization is crucial for life’s evolution. Yet, the origin of modern phospholipid membranes and their species-dependent homochirality remains unknown. Amphiphile detection in extraterrestrial samples suggests diverse interstellar chemistry, enriching Earth’s prebiotic chemistry with vital membrane precursors. Moreover, chiroptical properties guide research into membrane homochirality origins.

In this Review, synthetic approaches to polycyclic scaffolds, which can act as saturated, three-dimensional bioisosteric replacements of ortho-substituted, meta-substituted and multi-substituted benzenes, are discussed. Their application in medicinal chemistry is also summarized.

Disorder can be used as a design parameter to improve the electrochemical performance of cathode materials. In this Review, the advantages of disorder engineering are highlighted by revisiting cathode materials and the chemical interactions that lead to different types of disorder.

The catalyst-controlled stereoselective synthesis of atropisomers is feasible by four main concepts: desymmetrization, (dynamic) kinetic resolution, direct formation of the stereogenic axis and de novo ring construction. In this Review, pioneering work in atroposelective catalysis is discussed alongside recent advances.

Electronic waste (e-waste) can be recycled by physicochemical reactions. This Review discusses the principles, limitations and improvement strategies from a photo-induced, thermal-induced, force-induced, electro-induced and sonication-induced chemical reaction perspective, aiming to guide future e-waste recycling efforts towards more efficient, sustainable and economical procedures.

Reversing the intuitive order of reactivity of functional groups provides new synthetic strategies and enables utilization of chemical feedstocks, such as plastic waste, carbon dioxide and biomass. This Review highlights the chemoselective reduction of carbonyl compounds with a counterintuitive reactivity order.

The synthesis of thermodynamically disfavoured substituted six-membered rings provides a notable challenge compared with that of the thermodynamically stable stereoisomer counterparts. This Review provides a summary of current strategies for their synthesis.

Intercalation of atoms, ions and molecules is a powerful tool for finely regulating atomically thin, 2D materials. This Review highlights the effects of intercalation in 2D materials and discusses their in situ studies.

Structural and dynamic DNA nanosciences offer unique tools for engineering bottom–up synthetic cells. This Review provides a holistic overview for using DNA as a structural material, for designing functional entities, and for information-processing circuits for adaptive and interactive behaviour.

Colloid science has developed through innovative use of silane coupling agents. We highlight the advances in complex colloid synthesis, focussing on 3-trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate (TPM) and related compounds. We outline the remarkable properties, unique synthesis strategies and ensuing pioneering applications of TPM colloids.

Substantial progress in halide chemicals and redox mechanisms has spawned a boom in halogen-powered static conversion batteries. This Review tracks the natural benefits and intricate redox behaviour of halogen conversion chemistry, highlighting its pivotal role in electrochemical energy storage.

Analog-quantum simulations derived from tracking the evolution of trapped-ion systems hold the potential to simulate molecular quantum dynamics that are beyond the reach of classical-digital strategies. This Review explores the prospects for developing this quantum advantage.

Biological assays are essential to pharmaceutical, agrochemical and cosmetics research. However, false readouts pose substantial challenges in screening small molecules. This Review explores the current methods for tackling assay interference, focusing on computational approaches and their integration with experimental methods.

Peptide stapling is a powerful technique used to lock peptide conformations and modulate peptide functions. This Review highlights the newest development in non-symmetric stapling of native peptides bearing natural amino acids, elucidating current advances, challenges and future opportunities.

The use of water for electrochemical hydrogenation and oxidation of organic species provides a sustainable route for synthesizing chemicals. The electrode types, general electrocatalyst selection principles and interface microenvironment control are elucidated, conducive to designing efficient electrocatalysts and reaction systems.

Organic-based triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion-mediated photochemical reactions utilize low-energy photons to obtain high-energy excited states leading to notable advancements in photoredox catalysis, photoactivation, 3D printing and immunotherapy. Classifications, design principles, challenges and possible solutions are discussed in this Review.

Anion recognition in competitive, aqueous media remains a critical challenge. Bulk and local solvation models for anion recognition events are herein explored, as well as targeted design approaches to retain strong anion binding in highly polar media.

Gold catalysts have attracted attention for their ability to activate hydrogen towards the hydrogenation of organic molecules. This Review explores strategies to enhance hydrogen–gold interactions to help design new efficient hydrogenation catalysts.

Electrochemical devices enable clean energy technologies such as hydrogen cells, batteries and solar fuels. Their design is hindered by incomplete information about the electrochemical interface during operation. Complementary optoelectronic probes offer a path to improved mechanistic insights into such interfaces.