Archive for the ‘Hot Articles’ Category

The complete cookbook: multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures

Hollow micro-/nanostructures have a wide range of potential applications, including catalysis, drug delivery, sensors and fuel cells. This is thanks to their unique array of properties such as high specific surface area, low density and high loading capacity.   

As any child will tell you, two sweets are better than one, while three or four are better still, and the same holds true for the number of shells in a multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructure. These multi-shelled structures should have significantly prolonged release times for drug delivery and improved performance in heterogeneous catalysis, lithium ion batteries and photocatalysis applications. However, with increased complexity come increased synthetic challenges.  

In their recent review, titled, ‘Multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures, Dan Wang et. al. describe the myriad of synthetic approaches for multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures, before focusing on their compositional and geometric manipulation, as well as the range of potential applications. Finally, the authors look at the future challenges in the area, which include: expanding the components that can be used to make multi-shells, multi-shells whose individual shells are different, and control of inter-shell spacing.  

Preparation of a multi-shelled microstructure

Although other recent review articles have discussed hollow micro-/nanostructured materials, this is the first to focus exclusively on multi-shelled hollow structures.  

If you are interested in working on any of these challenges or others that the authors highlight, this review is a perfect starting place to get up to speed.  

To read the details, check out the Chem Soc Rev article in full:
Multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures
Jian Qi, Xiaoyong Lai, Jiangyan Wang, Hongjie Tang, Hao Ren, Yu Yang, Quan Jin, Lijuan Zhang, Ranbo Yu, Guanghui Ma, Zhiguo Su, Huijun Zhao and Dan Wang
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00344J  

 
 

 

  

   

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Hot Chem Soc Rev articles for July

Here are a few of the most recent referee-recommended articles in Chem Soc Rev – all free to read until 13th August:

Multi-shelled hollow micro-/nanostructures
Jian Qi, Xiaoyong Lai, Jiangyan Wang, Hongjie Tang, Hao Ren, Yu Yang, Quan Jin, Lijuan Zhang, Ranbo Yu, Guanghui Ma, Zhiguo Su, Huijun Zhao and Dan Wang
DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00344J, Review Article

C5CS00344J GA


Metal complexes of curcumin – synthetic strategies, structures and medicinal applications
Simon Wanninger, Volker Lorenz, Abdus Subhan and Frank T. Edelmann
DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00088B, Tutorial Review
Open Access

C5CS00088B GA 


Multifunctional metal–organic frameworks: from academia to industrial applications
Patrícia Silva, Sérgio M. F. Vilela, João P. C. Tomé and Filipe A. Almeida Paz
DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00307E, Review Article

C5CS00307E GA


Improving f-element single molecule magnets
Stephen T. Liddle and Joris van Slageren
DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00222B, Tutorial Review

C5CS00222B GA

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Hot Chem Soc Rev articles for April

We’ve listed some recent referee-recommended articles from Chem Soc Rev below for you to read. All are free to access until 21st May.

Photoluminescence imaging of Zn2+ in living systems
Yuncong Chen, Yang Bai, Zhong Han, Weijiang He and Zijian Guo 
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5CS00005J, Review Article
From themed collection Imaging Agents

C5CS00005J GA


Organic field-effect transistor-based gas sensors
Congcong Zhang, Penglei Chen and Wenping Hu 
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 2087-2107
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00326H, Tutorial Review

C4CS00326H GA


Nano- and micro-sized rare-earth carbonates and their use as precursors and sacrificial templates for the synthesis of new innovative materials
Anna M. Kaczmarek, Kristof Van Hecke and Rik Van Deun 
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015,44, 2032-2059
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00433G, Review Article

C4CS00433G GA


Chemistry at the interior atoms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Lawrence T. Scott 
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00479E, Review Article
From themed collection Challenges in Aromaticity: 150 Years after Kekulé’s Benzene

C4CS00479E GA

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Highly cited from Chem Soc Rev

ChemSocRev journal cover imageThere is something for everyone to enjoy amongst our this selection  of highly cited reviews published in ChemSocRev in 2013, each with more than 100 citations to date.*

From nanomaterials and photocatalysis to drug delivery and theory, the list reflects the diverse subject areas covered by ChemSocRev.

We hope you enjoy reading this selection if you haven’t already. Sign up to receive our table of contents e-alerts to make sure you don’t miss our latest content.

Most cited papers from 2013 to date*:

Metal dichalcogenide nanosheets: preparation, properties and applications
Xiao Huang, Zhiyuan Zeng and Hua Zhang
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 1934-1946
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35387C, Tutorial Review

Porphyrin-sensitized solar cells
Lu-Lin Li and Eric Wei-Guang Diau
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 291-304
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35257E, Review Article

Nano-graphene in biomedicine: theranostic applications
Kai Yang, Liangzhu Feng, Xiaoze Shi and Zhuang Liu
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 530-547
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35342C, Review Article

Inorganic nanostructures for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic water splitting
Frank E. Osterloh
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 2294-2320
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35266D, Review Article
From themed collection Solar fuels

Enhancing solar cell efficiency: the search for luminescent materials as spectral converters
Xiaoyong Huang, Sanyang Han, Wei Huang and Xiaogang Liu
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 173-201
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35288E, Review Article

Organic sensitizers from D–π–A to D–A–π–A: effect of the internal electron-withdrawing units on molecular absorption, energy levels and photovoltaic performances
Yongzhen Wu and Weihong Zhu
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 2039-2058
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35346F, Review Article

Far-red to near infrared analyte-responsive fluorescent probes based on organic fluorophore platforms for fluorescence imaging
Lin Yuan, Weiying Lin, Kaibo Zheng, Longwei He and Weimin Huang
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 622-661
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35313J, Review Article

Gold nanorods and their plasmonic properties
Huanjun Chen, Lei Shao, Qian Li and Jianfang Wang
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 2679-2724
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35367A, Review Article
From themed collection Chemistry of functional nanomaterials

Modifying enzyme activity and selectivity by immobilization
Rafael C. Rodrigues, Claudia Ortiz, Ángel Berenguer-Murcia, Rodrigo Torres and Roberto Fernández-Lafuente
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 6290-6307
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35231A, Tutorial Review
From themed collection Enzyme immobilisation


Arylamine organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells
Mao Liang and Jun Chen
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 3453-3488
DOI: 10.1039/C3CS35372A, Review Article

Click here for even more highly cited reviews

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Hot Chem Soc Rev articles for February

We invite you to take a look at some of the most recent referee-recommended articles published in Chem Soc Rev – all free to download until 23rd March!

Synthetic biology for the directed evolution of protein biocatalysts: navigating sequence space intelligently
Andrew Currin, Neil Swainston, Philip J. Day and Douglas B. Kell  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00351A, Review Article

C4CS00351A ga


Electronic structures and theoretical modelling of two-dimensional group-VIB transition metal dichalcogenides
Gui-Bin Liu, Di Xiao, Yugui Yao, Xiaodong Xu and Wang Yao
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00301B, Review Article
From themed collection 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMD) Nanosheets

C4CS00301B ga


Molecules with a sense of logic: a progress report
Joakim Andréasson and Uwe Pischel  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00342J, Tutorial Review

C4CS00342J ga


Recent advancements in Pt and Pt-free catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction
Yao Nie, Li Li and Zidong Wei  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00484A, Review Article

C4CS00484A ga

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Hot Chem Soc Rev articles for October

All of the referee-recommended articles below are free to access until 9th November 2014

Self-assembling small molecules for the detection of important analytes
Chunhua Ren, Jianwu Zhang, Minsheng Chen and Zhimou Yang  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 7257-7266
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00161C, Tutorial Review

C4CS00161C GA


Taming molecular collisions using electric and magnetic fields
Mark Brouard, David H. Parker and Sebastiaan Y. T. van de Meerakker  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 7279-7294
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00150H, Tutorial Review

C4CS00150H GA


Strategies for improving the performance and stability of Ni-based catalysts for reforming reactions
Shuirong Li and Jinlong Gong  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 7245-7256
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00223G, Tutorial Review

C4CS00223G GA


Steam electrolysis by solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) with proton-conducting oxides
Lei Bi, Samir Boulfrad and Enrico Traversa  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00194J, Review Article

C4CS00194J GA

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Hot Chem Soc Rev articles for September

All of the referee-recommended articles below are free to access until 15th October 2014

Biological metals and metal-targeting compounds in major neurodegenerative diseases
Kevin J. Barnham and Ashley I. Bush  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 6727-6749
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00138A, Review Article
From themed collection Molecular medicine and neurodegenerative diseases


Steam electrolysis by solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) with proton-conducting oxides
Lei Bi, Samir Boulfrad and Enrico Traversa  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00194J, Review Article


Metal-catalyzed activation of ethers via C–O bond cleavage: a new strategy for molecular diversity
Josep Cornella, Cayetana Zarate and Ruben Martin  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00206G, Review Article


Strategies for improving the performance and stability of Ni-based catalysts for reforming reactions
Shuirong Li and Jinlong Gong  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00223G, Tutorial Review

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Hot Chem Soc Rev articles for July

All of the referee-recommended articles below are free to access until 19th August 2014

Learning from photobiology how to design molecular devices using a computer
S. Gozem, F. Melaccio, H. L. Luk, S. Rinaldi and M. Olivucci  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 4019-4036
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00037D, Tutorial Review
From themed collection Supramolecular photochemistry


Pyrene-fused pyrazaacenes: from small molecules to nanoribbons
Aurelio Mateo-Alonso  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00119B, Review Article


Water adsorption in MOFs: fundamentals and applications
Jérôme Canivet, Alexandra Fateeva, Youmin Guo, Benoit Coasne and David Farrusseng 
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00078A, Review Article
From themed collection Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs)


Design, synthesis and excited-state properties of mononuclear Ru(II) complexes of tridentate heterocyclic ligands
Amlan K. Pal and Garry S. Hanan  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00123K, Tutorial Review


Recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and derived products – closing the loop
Alain Goeppert, Miklos Czaun, John-Paul Jones, G. K. Surya Prakash and George A. Olah  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00122B, Review Article


Smart chemistry in polymeric nanomedicine
Rong Tong, Li Tang, Liang Ma, Chunlai Tu, Ryan Baumgartner and Jianjun Cheng  
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00133H, Review Article

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Developments in bioorthogonal protein chemistry

This review article by Chen et al., based at Peking University in Beijing, encompasses a wide range of recent work on bioorthogonal protein chemistry mediated by transition metals in living cells.

The definition of bioorthogonal chemistry is a reaction which can take place inside a living system without disrupting the biological processes surrounding it. The reactants must be inert to any molecules or biomolecules in the surrounding environment, selective in their reaction with each other and non-toxic. The aim of bioorthogonal reactions is to label or influence a key biomolecule so that either it, or its effects, can be tracked. Successful bioorthogonal reactions will allow for the study of biomolecules such as proteins within living systems, in real time. This review focuses on recent work by groups who have significantly contributed to protein chemistry and have widened the scope of bioorthogonal reactions.

Unsurprisingly, most reaction conditions do not meet the strict criteria of bioorthogonal reactions. The use of transition metals is discussed with a focus on the well-known Cu(I)-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) which is described as a ‘hallmark of bioorthogonal chemistry’ due to its high specificity, reaction rate and selectivity. The triazole product is stable and unreactive but this reaction is prevented from being bioorthogonal by the toxicity of the Cu(I) ions.

Chen and co-workers review research focused on overcoming the toxicity problems seen with Cu(I), including the strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). This work developed by Bertozzi et al. is a ‘copper-free’ version of the CuAAC reaction. Chen et al. additionally discuss their own work, on ligand-assisted CuAAC reactions, using a BTTAA ligand (2-[4-({bis[(1-tert-butyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl]amino}methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]acetic acid) to reduce toxicity. The authors also assess the use of other transition metals, such as palladium, as replacements for copper in bioorthogonal conjugation reactions, both on the cell surface and within an intracellular environment.
bioorthogonal protein chemistry
Ligand-assisted CuAAC labelling of proteins in the bacterial periplasm.

To download the full article for free* click the link below:
Maiyun Yang, Jie Li and Peng R. Chen
DOI: 10.1039/C4SC00646A

This article is part of the Chem Soc Rev Emerging Investigators themed issue, which showcases up-and-coming scientists who are internationally recognised for making outstanding contributions to their respective fields.

*Access is free through a registered RSC account – click here to register
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Molecular Capsules from Resorcinol derived Calixarenes: Host-Guest Chemistry

In this Chem. Soc. Rev. review article, Kenji Kobayashi and Masamichi Yamanaka from Shizuoka University, Japan, give a detailed account of the host guest chemistry of a particular type of calixarene. Simple calixarenes are usually derived from, for example, a phenol and formaldehyde in an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction. This yields a puckered basket structure containing a ring of methylene spaced phenols groups.

Calixarenes based on 1,3-dihydroxybenzene, also known as resorcinol (calix[4]resorcinarenes) are derived from similar chemistry and are described in this review. Capsule like materials containing covalently bound spacers between pairs of calix[4]resorcinarene units are briefly mentioned, while the majority of the review is devoted to capsules (or cavitands) containing substitutents capable of hydrogen bonding, metal coordination and other dynamic bonding, resulting in powerful, self-assembled host-guest interactions. The calix-[4]-resorcinarenes have extra rigidity in their structure, due to methylene bridging between the resorcinol oxygens of neighbouring units, with functional groups at the in-between 2-position.

Functionality introduced includes carboxylic acids, nitriles, halides, boronic acids, aldehdyes, alcohols and even a biypridyl unit. For example, a cavitand, containing phenol groups, not involved with other bonding, can be deprotonated to neatly bind pyrazine, in a hydrogen bound network, resulting in a dimeric self assembled cavitand.

Generic calix[4resorcinarene structures and a host-guest interaction with pyrazine]

Other examples are provided with mixed donors such as phenols and pyrdine groups in the same material. These heterodimeric cavitands can give access to a more advanced level of specificity, in these cases, for a variety of organic guests. Stronger bound capsule systems are described based on metal coordination. A nitrile substituted calix-[4]-resorcinarene and its palladium, platinum and counter-anion host-guest chemistry are briefly described, while examples self-assembled capsules with coordinating bipyridyl and dithiocarbamate units are also included.

The molecular and synthetic variety in this review is impressive. It is an enjoyable read, and should prove valuable to researchers in many disciplines. The application of such designed and potentially specific calix[4]resorcinarenes, and their mode of action in self-assembling and modifying guest reactivity is a  fascinating research area!

Read this Chem. Soc. Rev., Review Article today for free:

Self-assembled capsules based on tetrafunctionalized calix[4]resorcinarene cavitands
Kenji Kobayashi and Masamichi Yamanaka
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00153B

*Access is free untill the 31.07.14 through a registered RSC account – click here to register

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