Chemical Society Reviews Blog

Themed Issue: Mechanochemistry

20 Sep 2013

C3CS90058D We are delighted to present the Chem Soc Rev themed issue on mechanochemistry.

Guest editors Stuart James and Tomislav Friščić introduce the issue in their Editorial.

Although mechanochemistry as a phenomenon has been recognised for a long time, its application with regard to chemical synthesis has traditionally been limited to the area of insoluble inorganic materials. However, James and Friščić point towards a growing realisation that it is also applicable to molecular, soluble reactants, and that it may even offer advantages over the solvent-based methods historically used in that area.

C3CS90071A This themed issue includes reviews focussing on both understanding the phenomenon itself (e.g., processes of mechanochemical bond breaking, the effects of mechanochemistry on the structures of materials, and factors underlying the molecular-level mechanisms), as well as the application of mechanochemistry to actual chemical synthesis, such as by grinding or milling.

Together with our guest editors, we hope this special issue of excellent Review Articles and Tutorial Reviews will serve as a consolidated overview to many of the most significant advances in the field.

Browse all the reviews from this themed issue online –

Mechanochemistry

ChemComm Mechanochemistry web collection

James and Friščić also guest edit our ChemComm web themed issue on mechanochemistry, highlighting recent cutting-edge achievements in this exciting field. Read this fantastic collection of Feature Articles and Communications now:

Mechanochemistry: fundamentals and applications in synthesis

Comments Off on Themed Issue: Mechanochemistry

Themed Issue: Stimuli responsive materials

10 Sep 2013

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

We are delighted to present the Chem Soc Rev themed issue on stimuli responsive materials.

Guest editors Patrick Theato, Brent Sumerlin, Rachel O’Reilly and Thomas Epps III introduce the issue in their Editorial.

C3CS90057F Many applications in technology, biology, and society do benefit from materials with increased functionality and adaptability. As a result, according to Theato, Sumerlin, O’Reilly and Epps, materials science has rapidly evolved to meet these demands by enabling the preparation and increased fundamental understanding of responsive materials with adaptable properties and behaviours.

C3CS90067C

Together with our guest editors, we hope this special issue of excellent Review Articles and Tutorial Reviews will serve as a consolidated overview to many of the most important recent advances in the field.

Browse all the reviews from this themed issue online –

Stimuli responsive materials

Comments Off on Themed Issue: Stimuli responsive materials

Metrics for characterising N-heterocyclic carbenes

26 Jul 2013

By Bethany Johnson.

Written by our guest web-writer Geoffrey Nelson

The chemistry of stable carbene molecules has been of interest to me for many years, from an undergraduate lecture on organometallic chemistry to recent research on diamond chemistry and surface modification.

Unlike their unstable counter-parts, the stable versions have controllable and versatile chemistry. This has led to the creation of hundreds of these stable carbenes for various applications. The overwhelming literature on the topic makes it difficult to compare carbene chemistry, introduce oneself to the field, or pick suitable carbenes for any given application.

Recently, navigating the literature has been made easier for one class of carbenes – the N-heterocyclic carbenes. David J. Nelson¹ and Steven P. Nolan have written a HOT review in Chemical Society Reviews which categorizes N-heterocyclic carbenes based on their steric and electronic properties.

They do so with the aid of chemical ‘metrics’, deriving from NMR, IR, electrochemical and computational data. Each metric enables different features of carbene chemistry to be probed. For example, parameters derived from IR data are used to quantify the extent of d to π* backbonding between the carbene and a metal centre. In this manner, the results of over 300 N-heterocyclic carbenes have been filtered by the authors to further a comprehensive understanding of N-heterocyclic carbene chemistry.

This review is valuable to the newcomer and experienced carbene chemist, alike. It lays the framework for a more systematic approach to carbene chemistry, in which the molecules are tailored for specific organometallic, catalytic, and surface chemistry.

1. No relation to the author of the blog

Read this Chem Soc Rev Review article in full:
Quantifying and understanding the electronic properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes
David J. Nelson and Steven P. Nolan
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60146C

Geoff Nelson is a new guest web-writer for Chemical Science. He currently works as a post-doctoral research associate in Dr David Payne’s research group in the Department of Materials at Imperial College, London. Geoff’s current research concerns the synthesis and characterization of post-transition metal oxides for use in the energy sector. His other research interests include carbon-based materials, biophysical chemistry, electrochemistry, and surface science.

Comments Off on Metrics for characterising N-heterocyclic carbenes

Chem Soc Rev reviews in 2013 Cancer Nanotechnology collection– free till 28 July

17 Jul 2013

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

We are pleased to present a web collection of articles from publications across the RSC journal portfolio demonstrating the use of (nano)technology in the diagnosis, imaging and treatment of cancer.

This web collection will be free to access until the 28^th July, so register for an RSC Publishing personal account and read this cutting edge research for free this week!

Read these Chem Soc Rev reviews as part of this special cancer nanotechnology collection:

Cytokines as biomarkers of nanoparticle immunotoxicity
Mahmoud Elsabahy and Karen L. Wooley
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013,42, 5552-5576
DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60064E

Glyconanotechnology
Niels C. Reichardt, Manuel Martín-Lomas and Soledad Penadés
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013,42, 4358-4376
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35427F

Cancer detection using nanoparticle-based sensors
Maëlle Perfézou, Anthony Turner and Arben Merkoçi
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012,41, 2606-2622
DOI: 10.1039/C1CS15134G

Comments Off on Chem Soc Rev reviews in 2013 Cancer Nanotechnology collection– free till 28 July

Top 10 most accessed Chem Soc Rev articles Jan-March 2013

03 Jul 2013

By Bethany Johnson.

The 10 most accessed Chem Soc Rev articles between January and March 2013 were as follows:

The chemistry of graphene oxide
Daniel R. Dreyer, Sungjin Park, Christopher W. Bielawski and Rodney S. Ruoff
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2010,39, 228-240
DOI: 10.1039/B917103G, Critical Review

Nanostructured metal chalcogenides: synthesis, modification, and applications in energy conversion and storage devices
Min-Rui Gao, Yun-Fei Xu, Jun Jiang and Shu-Hong Yu
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 2986-3017
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35310E, Review Article
From themed collection Chemistry of functional nanomaterials

Heterogeneous photocatalyst materials for water splitting
Akihiko Kudo and Yugo Miseki
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2009, 38, 253-278
DOI: 10.1039/B800489G, Critical Review
From themed collection Renewable Energy

Nanomaterials for energy conversion and storage
Qifeng Zhang, Evan Uchaker, Stephanie L. Candelaria and Guozhong Cao
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 3127-3171
DOI: 10.1039/C3CS00009E, Review Article
From themed collection Chemistry of functional nanomaterials

Three dimensional macroporous architectures and aerogels built of carbon nanotubes and/or graphene: synthesis and applications
Stefania Nardecchia, Daniel Carriazo, M. Luisa Ferrer, María C. Gutiérrez and Francisco del Monte
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 794-830
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35353A, Review Article

Design, functionalization strategies and biomedical applications of targeted biodegradable/biocompatible polymer-based nanocarriers for drug delivery
Julien Nicolas, Simona Mura, Davide Brambilla, Nicolas Mackiewicz and Patrick Couvreur
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 1147-1235
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35265F, 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

Strongly coupled inorganic–nano-carbon hybrid materials for energy storage
Hailiang Wang and Hongjie Dai
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 3088-3113
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35307E, Review Article
From themed collection Chemistry of functional nanomaterials

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

Mesoporous materials and electrochemistry
Alain Walcarius
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, 42, 4098-4140
DOI: 10.1039/C2CS35322A, Review Article
From themed collection Mesoporous materials
Take a look at the articles, and then let us know your thoughts and comments below.

Fancy submitting your own work to Chem Soc Rev? You can submit online today, or email us with your ideas and suggestions.

Comments Off on Top 10 most accessed Chem Soc Rev articles Jan-March 2013

Chem Soc Rev Impact Factor an impressive 24.8

19 Jun 2013

By Jane Hordern, Deputy Editor.

Thomson Reuters have just released their latest citation data and Chemical Society Reviews’ (Chem Soc Rev) Impact Factor remains high at 24.892. The journal also sees it’s Immediacy Index rise this year from 5 to almost 8. These impressive figures rank Chem Soc Rev as the #2 review journal within general chemistry.

With a truly international authorship publishing accessible and reader-friendly articles, Chem Soc Rev really is the home of high impact reviews from across the chemical sciences. You can read our most highly cited review articles listed below.

Thank you to all who have contributed to the journal’s success so far – our authors, referees, readers and Editorial and Advisory Boards – we are very grateful for your support.

Find out how other Royal Society of Chemistry journals are ranked in the latest Impact Factor release

Top cited Chem Soc Rev reviews:

Reviews

The chemistry of graphene oxide
Author(s): Daniel R. Dreyer, Sungjin Park, Christopher W. Bielawski and Rodney S. Ruoff

Lanthanide luminescence for functional materials and bio-sciences
Author(s): Svetlana V. Eliseeva and Jean-Claude G. Bünzli

Graphene-based composites
Author(s): Xiao Huang, Xiaoying Qi, Freddy Boey and Hua Zhang

Graphene-based materials in electrochemistry
Author(s): Da Chen, Longhua Tang and Jinghong Li

Towards mild metal-catalyzed C–H bond activation
Author(s): Joanna Wencel-Delord, Thomas Dröge, Fan Liu and Frank Glorius

Thiol-click chemistry: a multifaceted toolbox for small molecule and polymer synthesis
Author(s): Charles E. Hoyle, Andrew B. Lowe and Christopher N. Bowman

Fluorescent and colorimetric probes for detection of thiols
Author(s): Xiaoqiang Chen, Ying Zhou, Xiaojun Peng and Juyoung Yoon

Aggregation-induced emission
Author(s): Yuning Hong, Jacky W. Y. Lam and Ben Zhong Tang

Tutorial Reviews

Copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) and beyond: new reactivity of copper(I) acetylides
Author(s):Jason E. Hein and Valery V. Fokin

Cu-free click cycloaddition reactions in chemical biology
Author(s): John C. Jewett and Carolyn R. Bertozzi

*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. Data based on 2012 Journal Citation Reports^®, (Thomson Reuters, 2013).

Comments Off on Chem Soc Rev Impact Factor an impressive 24.8

Huw Davies appointed as Chem Soc Rev Associate Editor

29 May 2013

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

More exciting changes in our Editorial Board

We are very pleased to appoint Professor Huw Davies as a new Associate Editor for Chem Soc Rev. Huw has been involved with the journal in various capacities since 2004 and will now be handling submissions in the areas of organic chemistry and catalysis.

Huw is the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Chemistry at Emory University in Atlanta, USA. Work within the Davies group at Emory draws upon an established knowledge of asymmetric synthesis and catalysis to discover and develop novel methodologies, with the ultimate goal of defining enabling technologies for the chemical community. In 2007, Huw became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Chem Soc Rev now has four Associate Editors handling submissions to the journal:

David Amabilino (ICMAB) – supramolecular chemistry, macrocycles, self-assembly, chirality and stereochemistry

Huw Davies (Emory University) – organic chemistry and catalysis

Douglas Stephan (University of Toronto) – inorganic chemistry

Zhong-Qun Tian (Xiamen University) – physical chemistry

Read more about Huw’s research in his recent articles:

Rhodium-catalyzed enantioselective cyclopropanation of electron-deficient alkenes
Hengbin Wang, David M. Guptill, Adrian Varela-Alvarez, Djamaladdin G. Musaev and Huw M. L. Davies
Chem. Sci., 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3SC50425E, Edge Article

Convenient method for the functionalization of the 4- and 6-positions of the androgen skeleton
Daniel Morton, Allison R. Dick, Debashis Ghosh and Huw M. L. Davies
Chem. Commun., 2012,48, 5838-5840
DOI: 10.1039/C2CC31973J, Communication

Guiding principles for site selective and stereoselective intermolecular C–H functionalization by donor/acceptor rhodium carbenes
Huw M. L. Davies and Daniel Morton
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2011,40, 1857-1869
DOI: 10.1039/C0CS00217H, Tutorial Review
From themed collection C–H Functionalisation in organic synthesis

Comments Off on Huw Davies appointed as Chem Soc Rev Associate Editor

New clarity in the mechanism for lithium salt-free Wittig reactions

27 May 2013

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

Written by our guest web-writer Alice Williamson

The Wittig reaction was first reported in 1954 and awarded the Nobel Prize in 1979. Today, it is widely used for the preparation of alkenes by reaction of a carbonyl compound with a phosphonium ylide. Despite its age and broad utility, differing mechanisms for the Wittig reaction still feature in the literature and textbooks.

Peter Byrne and Declan Gilheany at University College Dublin have written a substantial review of this transformation, which provides definitive evidence regarding the mechanism of lithium salt-free Wittig reactions of phosphonium ylides.

Phosphonium ylides can be represented in either ylide (1a) or ylene (1b) form and they are classified according to their substitution at the α-carbon. The P–C bond of a phosphonium ylide is heavily polarised towards carbon and so ‘R’ groups that offer a greater degree of conjugative stabilisation increase the overall stabilisation of the ylide. Additionally, the nature of the ‘R’ group influences the selectivity for formation of Z or E alkenes.

The mechanism that features in many undergraduate textbooks involves the attack of the carbonyl carbon by the nucleophilic ylide α-carbon to form a betaine intermediate (7), which undergoes ring closure to form an oxaphosphetane (OPA) (8) and subsequently decomposes to form the product alkene (9) and a phosphine oxide (10) by-product.

Byrne and Gilheany present a body of evidence that disputes this mechanistic pathway and instead supports an irreversible [2 + 2] cycloaddition between the ylide and carbonyl compound to directly form the OPA (8). The OPA then decomposes in a stereospecific manner, meaning that the stereochemistry of the alkene product is determined by the shape of the transition state for the [2 + 2] cycloaddition, and hence the structure of the OPA. The E-selectivity commonly observed in the case of semi-stabilised and stabilised ylides is explained by a kinetic preference for the formation of trans-OPA, which decomposes to form the E-alkene.

This clarification of the mechanism for the lithium salt-free Wittig reaction will likely feature in future editions of undergraduate textbooks and will encourage many chemistry lecturers to update their course notes before the start of the new academic year.

For more, read this HOT Chem Soc Rev Review Article in full:

The Modern Interpretation of the Wittig Reaction Mechanism
Peter A. Byrne and Declan G. Gilheany
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60105F

Alice Williamson is a guest web-writer for Chem Soc Rev. She is currently a postdoc for the OSDDMalaria Project in Dr. Matthew H Todd’s group at the University of Sydney.

Comments Off on New clarity in the mechanism for lithium salt-free Wittig reactions

Themed Issue: Multivalent scaffolds in glycosciences

24 May 2013

By Jeanne Therese Andres.

We are delighted to present the Chem Soc Rev themed issue on multivalent scaffolds in glycosciences .

Guest editors Olivier Renaudet and René Roy introduce the issue in their Editorial.

C3CS90029K

Multivalent interactions between carbohydrates and proteins are involved in major physiological and pathological processes. According to Renaudet and Roy, with the recent emergence of glycomics, the development of glycoclusters and glycodendrimers capable of mimicking the multivalent display of the cell surface glycocalix has become a major field of research due to their evident interest as diagnostic and therapeutic tool. C3CS90038J A large variety of scaffolds are now available for the multivalent presentation of carbohydrates.

This themed issue contains an excellent collection of Review Articles and Tutorial Reviews which highlights recent advances focused on the chemistry and applications of such multivalent glycosylated structures.

Browse all the reviews from this themed issue online –

Multivalent scaffolds in glycosciences

Comments Off on Themed Issue: Multivalent scaffolds in glycosciences

Chemical Society Reviews Blog

Themed Issue: Mechanochemistry

Themed Issue: Stimuli responsive materials

Metrics for characterising N-heterocyclic carbenes

Chem Soc Rev reviews in 2013 Cancer Nanotechnology collection– free till 28 July

Chem Soc Rev Impact Factor an impressive 24.8

Huw Davies appointed as Chem Soc Rev Associate Editor

New clarity in the mechanism for lithium salt-free Wittig reactions

Themed Issue: Multivalent scaffolds in glycosciences

Links

Categories

Archives

Meta