Chemical Communications Blog

3D graphene adds dimension to deaf–mute communication

01 Sep 2016

Written by Chris Barnard for Chemistry World

Scientists in China have printed conductive 3D graphene structures and applied them in a wearable electronic device that can translate common sign language gestures into written text. Given the simplicity underpinning its manufacture, during which graphene ink is extruded from a syringe, this material could inject some pace into the printed electronics field.

Wearable and bio-integrated devices are mainstays in medical technology, ranging from adhesive patches that measure heart and respiratory rate to brain–computer interfaces that induce neural activity. Its remarkable mechanical and electrical properties cast graphene, a 2D honeycomb lattice of carbon atoms, as a key future player in the wearable technology arena. However, it is a challenge to preserve the advantages of graphene’s sheet-like nanostructure in a 3D material that – unlike typical 2D materials – can relay information about forces from every angle.

Read the full article in Chemistry World >>>

Three-dimensional multi-recognition flexible wearable sensor via graphene aerogel printing
Boxing An, Ying Ma, Wenbo Li, Meng Su, Fengyu Li and Yanlin Song
Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 10948-10951
DOI: 10.1039/C6CC05910D, Communication

Comments Off on 3D graphene adds dimension to deaf–mute communication

Professor Itaru Hamachi joins as Associate Editor

31 Aug 2016

By Michaela Mühlberg.

A warm welcome to Professor Itaru Hamachi

We are very pleased to welcome Professor Itaru Hamachi from Kyoto University as a new Associate Editor to the ChemComm team and look forward to working with him over the coming years.

Itaru is a chemical biologist with expertise in live-cell organic chemistry, chemical biology, bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, and supramolecular biomaterials. He is now accepting submissions to ChemComm in the area of chemical biology.

Itaru is looking froward to his new role:

“I would like to encourage that new chemistry and chemical approaches between the chemistry and biology interfaces will appear in ChemComm, in order to decipher a lot of chemical-biology problems and also to create novel bio-inspired materials.”

About Itaru:

Professor Itaru Hamachi was born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan in 1960 and received his Ph.D. in 1988 from Kyoto University under the guidance of the late Professor Iwao Tabushi. Immediately thereafter he joined Kyushu University, where he worked as an Assistant Professor for three years in the Kunitake laboratory before he became an Associate Professor in the Shinkai laboratory in 1992. In 2001, he became a Full Professor at IFOC, Kyushu University and moved to Kyoto University in 2005 where he currently heads the bioorganic chemistry wing.

Professor Hamachi has been a PRESTO investigator for 7 years (from 2000 to 2006) and a team leader of two CREST projects (from 2008 to 2013 and then from 2013 to 2018), which all are supported by the Japan Science and Technology (JST) Agency.

Submit your next top-notch, high-impact research now to Itaru Hamachi’s Editorial Office.

Itaru’s recent articles in ChemComm and other Royal Society of Chemistry journals include:*

Protein recognition using synthetic small-molecular binders toward optical protein sensing in vitro and in live cells
Ryou Kubota and Itaru Hamachi
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2015, 44, 4454-4471
DOI: 10.1039/C4CS00381K, Review Article

Ligand-directed dibromophenyl benzoate chemistry for rapid and selective acylation of intracellular natural proteins
Yousuke Takaoka, Yuki Nishikawa, Yuki Hashimoto, Kenta Sasaki and Itaru Hamachi
Chem. Sci., 2015, 6, 3217-3224
DOI: 10.1039/C5SC00190K, Edge Article
Open Access

Hoechst tagging: a modular strategy to design synthetic fluorescent probes for live-cell nucleus imaging
Akinobu Nakamura, Kazumasa Takigawa, Yasutaka Kurishita, Keiko Kuwata, Manabu Ishida, Yasushi Shimoda, Itaru Hamachi and Shinya Tsukiji
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 6149-6152
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC01753F, Communication

*Access is free until 30/09/2016 through a registered RSC account.

Comments Off on Professor Itaru Hamachi joins as Associate Editor

Molecular beacon homes in on protein structures

25 Aug 2016

By Charlotte Rowley.

Written by Aurora Walshe for Chemistry World

Graphical Abstract Two separate groups of scientists have developed methods to uncover proteins’ 3D structure inside living animal cells for the first time.

It is vital to know the structure of a protein to understand its chemical and biological functions. Scientists usually need to purify and crystallise a protein to determine its 3D structure by x-ray crystallography. Not only is this process difficult and lengthy, it can also misrepresent the protein’s structure, as the measuring conditions are vastly different from the conditions inside a living cell.

Now, a researcher team led by Xun-Cheng Su from Nankai University in Tianjin, China,Conggang Li at Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Thomas Huber from the Australian National University, has analysed a protein’s structure using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy inside living frog cells.1 The researchers tagged the protein with a beacon, a paramagnetic lanthanide tag, which binds to a cysteine residue on the outside of the protein. ‘The measured effects from the beacons tagged onto the protein give away the positions of the atoms in the protein, in a similar way that a set of satellites can be used to locate the exact position of a GPS receiver,’ Su explains.

Read the full article on Chemistry World >>>

3D structure determination of a protein in living cells using paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy

Bin-Bin Pan, Feng Yang, Yansheng Ye, Qiong Wu, Conggang Li, Thomas Huber and Xun-Cheng Su

Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 10237-10240

DOI: 10.1039/C6CC05490K, Communication

Comments Off on Molecular beacon homes in on protein structures

Transition metal material captures inert neon

25 Aug 2016

By Charlotte Rowley.

Written by Charles Quigg for Chemistry World

Graphical Abstract A team of scientists has discovered the first interactions between neon and a transition metal. Their discovery opens up the possibility of new methods to capture the inert gas, as well as other unreactive elements such as helium.

Although it’s found in advertising and eye-catching signage, neon is also incorporated into lasers used in the photolithographic printing of semiconductors. Neon is abundant in the universe, but its inert nature means that it escapes the Earth’s atmosphere. The noble gas is also hard to isolate. Current methods involve liquefying air and distilling the gas in a liquid form – an expensive and inefficient approach.

A team led by Peter Wood at the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, UK, has discovered that, under particular conditions, the inert gas interacts with a transition metal. Not only is this the first interaction ever observed, but it may kick-start new approaches in capturing unreactive noble gases.

Read the full article in Chemistry World >>>

Capturing neon – the first experimental structure of neon trapped within a metal–organic environment

Peter A. Wood, Amy A. Sarjeant, Andrey A. Yakovenko, Suzanna C. Ward and Colin R. Groom

Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 10048-10051

DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04808K, Communication

Comments Off on Transition metal material captures inert neon

Amine behind mask hides its reactivity

25 Aug 2016

By Charlotte Rowley.

Written by Andrea McGhee for Chemistry World

Graphical Abstract Chemists mask amines’ unwanted reactivity with carbon dioxide and overcome limitations of amide formation

Chemists at Imperial College London, UK, have overcome limitations that afflict a specific class of amidation reactions, used to produce a range of compounds from drugs to valuable materials. Their simple trick was to add carbon dioxide, which masks the reagent’s reactivity, making sure it only reacts when they want it to.

Read the full article in Chemistry World >>>

Direct NHC-catalysed redox amidation using CO2 for traceless masking of amine nucleophiles

Robert W. M. Davidson and Matthew J. Fuchter

Chem. Commun., 2016, Advance Article

DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04639H, Communication

Comments Off on Amine behind mask hides its reactivity

Fullerenes: past, present and future

08 Aug 2016

By Cesar Palmero.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Buckminsterfullerene

Special issue by Royal Society Publishing

Royal Society Publishing has recently published a special issue of Philosophical Transactions A entitled “Fullerenes: past, present and future, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Buckminsterfullerene“.

The discovery of C60 and the subsequent evolution of fullerene physics and chemistry can be seen as the culmination of a series of parallel research strands pursued by Harry Kroto through numerous collaborations with colleagues and co-workers.

This themed issue originates from the 2-day symposium held on 15–16 July 2015, organized by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and the Royal Society. The majority of the reviews and reports of original research were provided by scientists who gave presentations at the July 2015 meeting and the other contributions were produced by friends and co-workers of Harry.

This issue is free to access until the end of September:

Introduction:

Fullerenes: past, present and future, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Buckminsterfullerene
Anthony J. Stace, Paul O’Brien

Dedication:

Professor Sir Harry Kroto (1939–2016)
Dave Garner

Articles:

– Pathway to the identification of C₆₀⁺ in diffuse interstellar clouds
John P. Maier, Ewen K. Campbell

– Fullerene ion chemistry: a journey of discovery and achievement
Diethard K. Böhme

– Super-atom molecular orbital excited states of fullerenes
J. Olof Johansson, Elvira Bohl, Eleanor E. B. Campbell

– Another big discovery—metallofullerenes
Hisanori Shinohara

– Fullerene and nanotube growth: new insights using first principles and molecular dynamics
Rodolfo Cruz-Silva, Takumi Araki, Takuya Hayashi, Humberto Terrones, Mauricio Terrones, Morinobu Endo

– Unconventional high-T_c superconductivity in fullerides
Yasuhiro Takabayashi, Kosmas Prassides

– The influence hydrogen atom addition has on charge switching during motion of the metal atom in endohedral Ca@C₆₀H₄ isomers
G. Raggi, E. Besley, A. J. Stace

– Ab initio infrared vibrational modes for neutral and charged small fullerenes (C₂₀, C₂₄, C₂₆, C₂₈, C₃₀ and C₆₀)
Jean-Joseph Adjizian, Alexis Vlandas, Jeremy Rio, Jean-Christophe Charlier, Chris P. Ewels

– The Stone–Wales transformation: from fullerenes to graphite, from radiation damage to heat capacity
M. I. Heggie, G. L. Haffenden, C. D. Latham, T. Trevethan

– Two-dimensional inorganic analogues of graphene: transition metal dichalcogenides
Manoj K. Jana, C. N. R. Rao

We hope you enjoy reading this collection.

Comments Off on Fullerenes: past, present and future

Pink paper probe exposes formaldehyde

26 Jul 2016

By Charlotte Rowley.

Written by Kathryn Gempf for Chemistry World

A new test, developed by investigators in China, exposes formaldehyde quickly and colourfully wherever it may be.

Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic pollutant produced mainly by industrial activity. It also occurs naturally in plants and animals, albeit only in small quantities. The simple aldehyde can be harmful in larger concentrations, but detecting it requires specialised equipment or applying harsh acids or bases.

Graphical Abstract

Read the full article in Chemistry World >>>

An ultra-fast illuminating fluorescent probe for monitoring formaldehyde in living cells, shiitake mushrooms, and indoors

Longwei He, Xueling Yang, Mingguang Ren, Xiuqi Kong, Yong Liu and Weiying Lin

Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 9582-9585

DOI: 10.1039/C6CC04254F, Communication

Comments Off on Pink paper probe exposes formaldehyde

2016 ChemComm Emerging Investigators issue – now published

12 Jul 2016

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

We are delighted to announce the publication of the 2016 ChemComm Emerging Investigators issue.

Now on its sixth year, this annual special issue showcases internationally recognised, up-and-coming scientists who are making outstanding contributions to their respective fields.

This year’s issue includes a selection of Feature articles and Communications, as well as a Profile of this year’s contributors, with interesting photos to spotlight our authors at work or at play – look out for a cool plasma ball, white-water rafting, a cute canine friend, and loads of lovely shots in the great outdoors!

You can also take a look at our previous Emerging Investigator issues in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Read our Emerging Investigators 2016 collection today

Comments Off on 2016 ChemComm Emerging Investigators issue – now published

ChemComm – top 3 most cited journal in general chemistry

15 Jun 2016

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

We’re hot, we’re fast, and we’re the third most cited

Researchers around the world cited ChemComm articles 175,661 times last year, making us the third most cited general chemistry journal, according to the latest citation data released by Thomson Reuters in its 2015 Journal Citation Reports®.

With our Impact Factor riding high at 6.567 and our Immediacy Index at its highest-ever at 1.713, not only are your findings published rapidly in ChemComm, they’re also read and cited quickly by more and more researchers across all chemical science disciplines around the world – proof that we continue to publish urgent, high quality work on the very hottest topics.

A massive thank you to everyone – our authors, referees, readers, Associate Editors, and Editorial and Advisory Board members – for contributing to the journal’s continued success.
C6CC90001A

With more than 175,000 cites under our belt, we can’t help but think this an apt and fitting way of celebrating our 175 years in the service of the chemical science community as the oldest chemical society in the world.

Submit your next urgent Communication to ChemComm, and quickly see the impact of your work across the breadth of the chemical sciences.

Top cited ChemComm articles:

Feature articles

C–H nitrogenation and oxygenation by ruthenium catalysis
Vedhagiri S. Thirunavukkarasu, Sergei I. Kozhushkov and Lutz Ackermann
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 29-39
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC47028H, Feature Article

Intriguing mechanistic labyrinths in gold(I) catalysis
Carla Obradors and Antonio M. Echavarren
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 16-28
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC45518A, Feature Article

Engineering ultrasmall water-soluble gold and silver nanoclusters for biomedical applications
Zhentao Luo, Kaiyuan Zheng and Jianping Xie
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 5143-5155
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC47512C, Feature Article
From themed collection 2014 Emerging Investigators

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes and graphene composite structures for energy and catalytic applications
Won Jun Lee, Uday Narayan Maiti, Ju Min Lee, Joonwon Lim, Tae Hee Han and Sang Ouk Kim
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 6818-6830
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC00146J, Feature Article

Pillararene-based supramolecular polymers: from molecular recognition to polymeric aggregates
Chunju Li
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 12420-12433
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC03170A, Feature Article
From themed collection Polymer Self-Assembly

Single-molecule magnet engineering: building-block approaches
Kasper S. Pedersen, Jesper Bendix and Rodolphe Clérac
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 4396-4415
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC00339J, Feature Article

Communications

Bay-linked perylene bisimides as promising non-fullerene acceptors for organic solar cells
Wei Jiang, Long Ye, Xiangguang Li, Chengyi Xiao, Fang Tan, Wenchao Zhao, Jianhui Hou and Zhaohui Wang
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 1024-1026
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC47204C, Communication

A p-type Ti(IV)-based metal–organic framework with visible-light photo-response
Junkuo Gao, Jianwei Miao, Pei-Zhou Li, Wen Yuan Teng, Ling Yang, Yanli Zhao, Bin Liu and Qichun Zhang
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 3786-3788
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC49440C, Communication

An achievement of over 12 percent efficiency in an organic dye-sensitized solar cell
Kenji Kakiage, Yohei Aoyama, Toru Yano, Takahiro Otsuka, Toru Kyomen, Masafumi Unno and Minoru Hanaya
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 6379-6381
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC02192D, Communication

Metal-free nitro-carbocyclization of activated alkenes: a direct approach to synthesize oxindoles by cascade C–N and C–C bond formation
Tao Shen, Yizhi Yuan and Ning Jiao
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 554-556
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC47336H, Communication

Revealing the metal-like behavior of iodine: an iodide-catalysed radical oxidative alkenylation
Shan Tang, Yong Wu, Wenqing Liao, Ruopeng Bai, Chao Liu and Aiwen Lei
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 4496-4499
DOI: 10.1039/C4CC00644E, Communication

From assembled metal–organic framework nanoparticles to hierarchically porous carbon for electrochemical energy storage
Arlin Jose Amali, Jian-Ke Sun and Qiang Xu
Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 1519-1522
DOI: 10.1039/C3CC48112C, Communication

Read more about the Royal Society of Chemistry’s journals 2015 impact factors

*The Impact Factor provides an indication of the average number of citations per paper. Produced annually, Impact Factors are calculated by dividing the number of citations in a year, by the number of citeable articles published in the preceding two years. The journal Immediacy Index indicates how quickly articles in a journal are cited, and is calculated by dividing the number of citations to articles published in a given year by the number of articles published in that year. Data based on 2015 Journal Citation Reports^®, (Thomson Reuters, 2016).

Comments Off on ChemComm – top 3 most cited journal in general chemistry

Chemical Communications Blog

3D graphene adds dimension to deaf–mute communication

Professor Itaru Hamachi joins as Associate Editor

Molecular beacon homes in on protein structures

Transition metal material captures inert neon

Amine behind mask hides its reactivity

Fullerenes: past, present and future

Pink paper probe exposes formaldehyde

2016 ChemComm Emerging Investigators issue – now published

ChemComm – top 3 most cited journal in general chemistry

Links

Categories

Archives

Meta