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REMINDER: ChemComm-RSC Prizes and Awards Symposium in Oxford on Wednesday

21 May 2012

Don’t miss out on Wednesday’s ChemComm–RSC Prizes & Awards Symposium jointly organised with the RSC Dalton Division!

Date: Wednesday 23rd May 2012
Location: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory lecture theatre, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, UK
Time: 11am – 6.45 pm

The purpose of this event is to bring together scientists in a stimulating and friendly environment to recognise the achievements of individuals in advancing the chemical sciences and also to foster collaborations. The symposium will appeal to academic and industrial scientists with an interest in inorganic and supramolecular chemistry. Attendance at the symposium is FREE OF CHARGE and student participation is strongly encouraged.

The following distinguished scientists have agreed to speak:

Professor Manfred Scheer, University of Regensburg, Germany (ChemComm sponsored speaker) – Polyphosphorus Ligands in Supramolecular Chemistry
Professor Kay Severin, EPFL, Switzerland (ChemComm sponsored speaker) – Multicomponent Assembly of Molecular and Polymeric Nanostructures
Professor Andrew Cooper, University of Liverpool, UK (ChemComm sponsored speaker) – Porous Organic Cages: MOFs Minus the Metals?
Professor Lawrence Que, University of Minnesota, USA (Inorganic Mechanisms Award 2011 Winner) – C-H Bond Cleavage by High-Valent Non-haem Iron-Oxo Complexes
Professor Russell Morris, University of St Andrews, UK (Applied Inorganic Chemistry Award 2011 Winner) – Adsorption, storage and delivery of medically important gases in porous solids
Dr Jonathan Nitschke, University of Cambridge, UK (Corday-Morgan Prize 2011 Winner ) – Designing complexity and function within self-assembled chemical systems

To register for the symposium, please complete the online registration form.

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Free ChemComm inorganic and supramolecular content

04 May 2012

The ChemComm–RSC Prizes & Awards Symposium jointly organised with the Dalton Division takes place at the University of Oxford on 23rd May with the theme of inorganic and supramolecular chemistry.

This is ChemComm’s second UK-based symposium and to celebrate we’ve made some of our best content free to access for a limited period.

We hope you enjoy these articles – but don’t delay! Free access only runs until 30th May.

Germanium/phosphorus cage compounds with germanium in three different oxidation states
Stefan Almstätter, Gábor Balázs, Michael Bodensteiner and Manfred Scheer
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 9998-10000
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC13937A

Selective gas sorption in a [2+3] ‘propeller’ cage crystal
Shan Jiang, John Bacsa, Xiaofeng Wu, James T. A. Jones, Robert Dawson, Abbie Trewin, Dave J. Adams and Andrew I. Cooper
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 8919-8921
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC12460A

Reversible anion-templated self-assembly of [2+2] and [3+3] metallomacrocycles containing a new dicopper(I) motif
Emily F. V. Dry, Jack K. Clegg, Boris Breiner, Daniel E. Whitaker, Roman Stefak and Jonathan R. Nitschke
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 6021-6023
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC11206F

Cleavage of dinitrogen to yield a (t-BuPOCOP)molybdenum(IV) nitride
Travis J. Hebden, Richard R. Schrock, Michael K. Takase and Peter Müller
Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 1851-1853
DOI: 10.1039/C2CC17634C

Metal-free diastereoselective catalytic hydrogenations of imines using B(C₆F₅)₃
Zachariah M. Heiden and Douglas W. Stephan
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 5729-5731
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC10438A

Activation of phosphorus by group 14 elements in low oxidation states
Shabana Khan, Sakya S. Sen and Herbert W. Roesky
Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 2169-2179
DOI: 10.1039/C2CC17449A

Twisted molecular magnets
Ross Inglis, Constantinos J. Milios, Leigh F. Jones, Stergios Piligkos and Euan K. Brechin
Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 181-190
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC13558A

Luminescent metal complexes of d⁶, d⁸ and d¹⁰ transition metal centres
Vivian Wing-Wah Yam and Keith Man-Chung Wong
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 11579-11592
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC13767K

Uranium-mediated activation of small molecules
Polly L. Arnold
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 9005-9010
DOI: 10.1039/C1CC10834D

Also of interest: Take at look at our web themes on Supramolecular Chemistry and Frontiers in Molecular Main Group Chemistry.

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Novel synthesis of iron catalyst complexes via C-H activation of imidazolium salts

16 Apr 2012

Researchers from Lisbon have developed a mild and efficient catalytic system for reducing sulfoxides. They made the iron-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts (2) via C–H activation of an imidazolium pro-ligand (1) with commercially available Fe₃(CO)₁₂. This advance precludes the requirement for the strong bases traditionally employed in the synthesis of similar complexes. Additionally, iron is an economically attractive metal for use in catalysis owing to its abundance and is also non-toxic and therefore more environmentally friendly than other transition metals.

The combination of iron(ll) complex (2) with a silver salt and a silane reducing agent led to the conversion of a range of sulfoxides into the corresponding sulfides in good to excellent yields. Initial mechanistic probes suggest the existence of a free-radical based reaction pathway, although further studies are ongoing.

In this publication, Beatriz Royo’s group have demonstrated an interesting advance for the synthesis of iron-NHC complexes, which may find further utility in other catalytic processes.

Download the communication >

Posted on behalf of Alice Williamson, ChemComm web writer.

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Magneto-chiral dichroism observed in light-harvesting antenna

30 Mar 2012

Artificial light-harvesting antennas absorb light travelling parallel to a magnetic field differently from light travelling anti-parallel to the field, according to Japanese researchers.

This effect – known as magneto-chiral dichroism (MChD) – is proposed to have played a role in the origin of homochirality in life and is important for the development of new magneto-optical devices.

This is only the second example of MChD reported in organic compounds. It indicates that MChD may occur during the light-harvesting process, says the team, which is important not only for learning more about photosynthesis but also for clarifying the origin of asymmetry in biological systems.

Read the communication:
Magneto-chiral dichroism of artificial light-harvesting antenna
Yuichi Kitagawa, Tomohiro Miyatake and Kazuyuki Ishii
Chem. Commun., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2CC30996C

Also of interest:
Nanoscale spectroscopy with optical antennas
Palash Bharadwaj, Ryan Beams and Lukas Novotny, Chem. Sci., 2011, 2, 136-140

Artificial Photosynthesis – a ChemComm web theme

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Sustainable Inorganic Chemistry – free content for a limited period

22 Mar 2012

ChemComm is delighted to be sponsoring the forthcoming Symposium on Sustainable Inorganic Chemistry along with the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry. The symposium will take place at the ACS Spring 2012 National Meeting & Exposition in San Diego starting on 25th March.

To celebrate we’ve made some articles published by the symposium speakers free to access for a limited period.

We hope you enjoy these articles – but don’t delay! Free access only runs until 1st April.

Selective liquid phase oxidation with supported metal nanoparticles
Nikolaos Dimitratos, Jose A. Lopez-Sanchez and Graham J. Hutchings
Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 20-44

Mesoscopic organic nanosheets peeled from stacked 2D covalent frameworks
Yugen Zhang, Meixuan Tan, Hai Li, Yuangang Zheng, Shujun Gao, Hua Zhang and Jackie Y. Ying
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 7365-7367

Self-assembly in the electrical double layer of ionic liquids
Susan Perkin, Lorna Crowhurst, Heiko Niedermeyer, Tom Welton, Alexander M. Smith and Nitya Nand Gosvami
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 6572-6574

Continuous flow organometallic catalysis: new wind in old sails
Ulrich Hintermair, Giancarlo Franciò and Walter Leitner
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 3691-3701

CO₂ selectivity of a 1D microporous adenine-based metal–organic framework synthesised in water
Kyriakos C. Stylianou, John E. Warren, Samantha Y. Chong, Jeremy Rabone, John Bacsa, Darren Bradshaw and Matthew J. Rosseinsky
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 3389-3391

Room temperature oxidation of methyl orange and methanol over Pt–HCa₂Nb₃O₁₀ and Pt–WO₃ catalysts without light
Emiliana Dvininov, Upendra A. Joshi, James R. Darwent, John B. Claridge, Zhongling Xu and Matthew J. Rosseinsky
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 881-883

Tunable, light-assisted co-generation of CO and H₂ from CO₂ and H₂O by Re(bipy-tbu)(CO)₃Cl and p-Si in non-aqueous medium
Bhupendra Kumar, Jonathan M. Smieja, Alissa F. Sasayama and Clifford P. Kubiak
Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 272-274

Photocatalytic H₂ evolution from neutral water with a molecular cobalt catalyst on a dye-sensitised TiO₂ nanoparticle
Fezile Lakadamyali and Erwin Reisner
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 1695-1697

Transition metal catalysed ammonia-borane dehydrogenation in ionic liquids
William R. H. Wright, Emily R. Berkeley, L. R. Alden, R. Tom Baker and Larry G. Sneddon
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 3177-3179

Co and Mn polysiloxanes as unique initiator–catalyst-systems for the selective liquid phase oxidation of o-xylene
Tobias Förster, Stephan A. Schunk, Andreas Jentys and Johannes A. Lercher
Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 3254-3256

@ChemCommun Follow the symposium at #CCsymp

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Sustainable Inorganic Chemistry Symposium at Spring ACS Meeting

07 Mar 2012

We are delighted to announce the forthcoming Symposium on Sustainable Inorganic Chemistry sponsored by ChemComm and the ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry, which will be held at the ACS Spring 2012 National Meeting & Exposition.

Date: 25-27 March 2012
Location: San Diego Convention Center – Room 9, San Diego, USA

With 22 invited talks across three days by both world-leading authorities and incredibly talented emerging researchers, the symposium will cover CO₂ capture and recycle; energy storage; photovoltaics; water purification; unconventional resources; and energy efficiency, all of which are underpinned by inorganic chemistry.

View the schedule >

ChemComm Editor Robert Eagling is co-organiser of the symposium – let him know if you plan to attend.

@ChemCommun Follow the symposium at #CCsymp

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ChemComm–RSC Prizes and Awards Symposium in Oxford

06 Mar 2012

We are delighted to announce the forthcoming ChemComm–RSC Prizes & Awards Symposium jointly organised with the RSC Dalton Division.

Date: Wednesday 23rd May 2012
Location: University of Oxford, UK
Time: 11am – 6.45 pm

The following distinguished scientists have agreed to speak:

Professor Manfred Scheer, University of Regensburg, Germany (ChemComm sponsored speaker) – Polyphosphorus Ligands in Supramolecular Chemistry
Professor Kay Severin, EPFL, Switzerland (ChemComm sponsored speaker) – Multicomponent Assembly of Molecular and Polymeric Nanostructures
Professor Andrew Cooper, University of Liverpool, UK (ChemComm sponsored speaker) – Porous Organic Cages: MOFs Minus the Metals?
Professor Lawrence Que, University of Minnesota, USA (Inorganic Mechanisms Award 2011 Winner) – C-H Bond Cleavage by High-Valent Non-haem Iron-Oxo Complexes
Professor Russell Morris, University of St Andrews, UK (Applied Inorganic Chemistry Award 2011 Winner) – Adsorption, storage and delivery of medically important gases in porous solids
Dr Jonathan Nitschke, University of Cambridge, UK (Corday-Morgan Prize 2011 Winner ) – Designing complexity and function within self-assembled chemical systems

To register for the symposium, please complete the online registration form.

For further details, please contact Richard Walker.

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ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship 2012: The winner is….

05 Mar 2012

On behalf of the ChemComm Editorial Board, I am delighted to announce that Professor Hiromitsu Maeda (Ritsumeikan University, Japan) has won the ChemComm Emerging Investigator Lectureship 2012.

This annual award recognises an emerging scientist in the early stages of their independent academic career. The Editorial Board commended Professor Maeda’s contributions to the fields of organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry and materials science.

‘Maeda is doing extremely exciting and innovative work in soft materials and particularly switchable gels chemistry,’ says ChemComm Associate Editor Jonathan Steed. ‘As one of the first people to recognise that gel rheology can be switched by simple host guest interactions, he has recently produced a startling and exquisite range of highly engineered compounds showing fascinating properties as smart materials.’

Further details of Professor Maeda’s lectureship, including lecture locations, will be announced soon.

To find out more about Professor Maeda’s work, read some of his latest articles:
Charge-based and charge-free molecular assemblies comprising π-extended derivatives of anion-responsive acyclic oligopyrroles
Yuya Bando, Shohei Sakamoto, Ippei Yamada, Yohei Haketa and Hiromitsu Maeda
Chem. Commun., 2012, 48, 2301-2303

Solid-state supramolecular assemblies consisting of planar charged species
Yohei Haketa, Mayumi Takayama and Hiromitsu Maeda
Org. Biomol. Chem., 2012, DOI: 10.1039/C2OB07059F

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RSC Publishing poster prizes awarded at ISMSC

24 Feb 2012

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded ChemComm, Dalton Transactions and Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry poster prizes at the 2012 International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry (ISMSC) at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand:

Jean-Francois Ayme (Edinburgh) – “Pentameric Circular Helicates as a Scaffold for a Molecular Pentafoil Knot”
Jessica Holmes (Melbourne) – “Supramolecular Systems of Cyclotricatechylene”
David Hvasanov (UNSW) – “Photoinduced membrane proton-pumping via polymersomes as chloroplast mimics”

The poster prize winners with Professor Phil Gale from the ISMSC-2012 International Advisory Committee (photo courtesy of Scott Cameron from the Brooker group)

Nominations for the 2013 Cram Lehn Pedersen prize to be awarded at ISMSC-8 in Crystal City, Virginia, USA, will open later in the year. Stay tuned to the ChemComm blog for details.

Related news:
Cram Lehn Pedersen Prize awarded at ISMSC

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DNAzyme logic-controlled biofuel cell for self-powered biosensors

24 Feb 2012

US scientists have made the first DNAzyme-controlled biofuel cell, an important step on the road to self-powered medical diagnostics, they claim.

Biofuel cells (BFCs) use enzymes or microbes to oxidise fuels. Integrating them with logic-based biosensing systems provides a way to correlate the relationship between multiple target analytes in complex samples according to Boolean logic (which uses AND, OR and NOT operators) without the need for external power.

Joseph Wang and colleagues at the University of California, San Diego, used DNAzyme-based biochemical signals to control the power output of a BFC. DNAzymes are biocatalytic nucleic acids that are widely used for biosensing but have never before been used to control a BFC. Wang demonstrated that the biosensor can determine the presence of a specific target in the absence of another related target in a single test.

While this is a proof-of-concept study, Wang says that self-powered diagnostics may be realised if pathologically relevant targets were applied to the BFC.

Read Wang’s ChemComm communication, free for a limited period.

Also of interest:
DNAzymes for sensing, nanobiotechnology and logic gate applications

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