NJC Blog

Meet Our Authors from the July 2013 issue of NJC

26 Jul 2013

Authors from Italy, Iran and Chile were interviewed for the latest issue of New Journal of Chemistry.

Angelo enjoying a hearty meal.

Our first featured author is (retired) Professor Angelo Gavezzotti of the University of Milan (Italy), working in the broad area of the physical chemistry of solid state materials.

Angelo is no stranger to NJC; after publishing several articles in the first years of the journal, when it was still known as Nouveau Journal de Chimie, he has recently returned as an author. In his article published in the July issue, he goes from static crystallography to the evolution and dynamics in organic crystals studied by computer simulation. This 5-year project included force field development and the writing of a new Monte Carlo simulation code, both of which had to be calibrated to organic crystals. The application of an order parameter bias to the MC code allowed it to be used to study dynamics and crystallisation.

Angelo's favorite place in the Trentino

“Equilibrium structure and dynamics of organic crystals by Monte Carlo simulation: critical assessment of force fields and comparison with static packing analysis” by Angelo Gavezzotti, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 2110-2119. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00181D

To show us his favourite place on earth, Angelo didn’t look far: it is the Rifugio Larcher al Cevedale in the Trentino region of Italy.

Mohsen Adeli

Our next guest is Professor Mohsen Adeli, who is in the chemistry department of Lorestan University in Khoramabad (Iran). His research deals with the organic chemistry and synthesis of nano materials applied to nanomedecine.

In his NJC Letter, short carbon nanotubes have been connected together using dendritic copolymers to produce very long and flexible CNTs. This process seems to be a promising strategy to avoid the fibrosis-like hazards of carbon nanotubes

“Preparation of long supramolecular carbon nanotubes” by Mohsen Adeli, Ebrahim Mehdipour and Siamak Beyranvand, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1871-1873. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ41156G

Our last author is Verónica Paredes-Garcia, who is in the Chemical Sciences Department of the University Andres Bello in Santiago (Chile). Her research activities are focused on the synthesis, structural and magnetic characterization of polymetallic systems based on carboxylate ligands and transition metal ions, with a recent emphasis on polyfunctional 3d-4f inorganic materials.

The contribution from the research group in which Verónica works correlates the structural characteristics and magnetic properties of an iron 3D network compound, showing the contribution of basic science to the design of new metal-containing materials. The research was motivated by the fact that solvothermal synthesis allows materials with new and fascinating topologies and novel properties to be obtained.

Professor at the University Andres Bello

Véronica on a recent trip to Easter Island

“Structural and magnetic characterization of the tridimensional network [Fe(HCO₂ )₃]_n·nHCO₂H” by Verónica Paredes-García, Ignacio Rojas, Rosa Madrid, Andres Vega, Efrén Navarro-Moratalla, Walter Cañón-Mancisidor, Evgenia Spodine and Diego Venegas-Yazigi. New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 2120-2127. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00023K

Verónica likes to travel all over the world: she qualifies Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) as an amazing place that merits a visit.

Thanks to Véronica, Mohsen and Angelo for taking a few minutes to talk about themselves and their work!

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NJC poster prize at 5th ECCLS

19 Jul 2013

By Eva Balentova, deputy editor.

We are delighted to present the recent poster prizes awarded at the 5th European Conference on “Chemistry for Life Sciences” (5th ECCLS) in Barcelona, that gathers an ensemble of scientists at the crossroads between chemistry, biology, biophysics and material science.

Two young scientists Montserrat Serra-Batiste and Sven Hofmann received NJC Poster Prizes that reward creative and multidisciplinary research works in the chemical sciences.

Montserrat Serra-Batiste is a postdoctoral researcher in the group of the Prof. Ernest Giralt at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona (Spain) working under the supervision of Dr. Natàlia Carulla since September 2010.

Montserrat’s winning poster dealt with well-defined Aß42 oligomers in a biomimetic membrane environment. The idea project started with the idea of Dr Natàlia Carulla of stabilizing Aß oligomers by using an environment similar to what this peptide have in vivo. Different conditions have been testing by different techniques in order to get a stable and homogeneous preparation of Aß oligomers. As a result, an Aß42 hexamer (named (Aß42)₆^Membrane) has been stabilized which adopts extensive ß-sheet secondary structure and exhibits specific Aß42-Aß42 interactions. Preparation of (Aß42)₆^Membrane should open the possibility to explore more in deep the role of Aß oligomers in Alzheimer’s disease.

Her future plans include working with Natàlia to characterize the structure and the biological relevance of this Aß42 hexamer and contribute in solving the puzzle of Alzheimer’s disease. Besides research activities Montserrat loves cooking and dancing.

The award-winning poster of Sven Hofmann was entitled “Carbaboranes in Short Neuropeptide Y Analogs – Redirecting BiologicalActivity”. Carbaboranes are icosahedral boron-carbon clusters mimicking phenyl rings. In particular, they present a three-dimensional hydrophobic structure and are capable of providing a special type of hydrogen bonding, the so-called proton-hydride bonding. Their unique chemical properties are perfectly suited for improving the biological activity of small bioactive molecules but also of peptide analogs.

Sven is a graduate student working in the research group of Prof. Annette G. Beck-Sickinger at the University of Leipzig, Leipzig (Germany) since October 2010. Working in the field of chemical modification of peptides to gain receptor subtype selectivity and biological stability, he especially focuses on the synthesis of short functionalized peptide ligands as selective diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

His future plans are not fixed yet. However, he will finish his Ph.D. in 2014 and he will apply for a postdoctoral research position abroad. Outside of the lab, Sven’s favorite activities are running, cycling, athletic sport challenges and travelling.

The two laureates received a one-year subscription to the journal and a RSC book. Our thanks go to the organizers of the conference for their help in organizing these awards, and our deep gratitude to all of the senior scientists who served on the jury to select the two following winners:

NJC wishes them continuing success in their research!

A list of all previous NJC Poster Prize winners can be found here.

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NJC’s July issue published

03 Jul 2013

By Laurent Vial, Assistant Editor.

We are delighted to present this month’s issue: you are guaranteed to find articles of relevance to your specialist interests!

The front cover this month highlights a collaborative research effort between groups at the University of Bath (UK), the University of Birmingham (UK), and the University of Kitakyushu (Japan). The authors have designed a novel electrochemically active sensor film based on pyrene-appended boronic acids on carbon nanoparticles. Peak responses with sensitivity to caffeic acid in the micro-molar range were observed.

Pyrene-anchored boronic acid receptors on carbon nanoparticle supports: fluxionality and pore effects by Katherine Lawrence, Tomoki Nishimura, Peter Haffenden, John M. Mitchels, Kazuo Sakurai, John S. Fossey, Steven D. Bull, Tony D. James and Frank Marken, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1883-1888. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00017F

Efficient chemical and electrochemical methodologies for the oxidation of sulfur organic compounds are featured on this month’s inside cover. The group of Josefina Pons at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona used these new approches to synthesize sulfoxide and sulfone ligands in good yields.

Environmentally benign and selective synthesis of hybrid pyrazole sulfoxide andsulfone ligands by Antonio de León, Jordi García-Antón, Josep Ros, Gonzalo Guirado, Iluminada Gallardo and Josefina Pons, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1889-1894. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00161J

You can access and read the whole issue 7 of NJC here.

Don’t miss a single issue of NJC! Sign up for the free E-Alert to get the table of contents in your mailbox each month.

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Meet NJC team at summer conference season 2013

28 Jun 2013

By Eva Balentova, deputy editor.

Summer Conferences are something we can’t afford to miss! The NJC editors will be attending a number of conferences in the coming weeks. We look forward to meeting you!

NJC is proud to support the following conferences:

	Denise will represent NJC at the 20^th EuCheMS conference on Organometallic Chemistry (EuCOMC), St Andrews, Scotland, 30 June-4 July 2013. NJC is the sponsor of the Young Plenary Lecturer Dr Florence Mongin from the University of Rennes.
	18th European Symposium on Organic Chemistry (ESOC 2013) will be held in Marseille, on the Mediterranean coast of France, at the beginning of July (7^th to 12^th). The Palais du Pharo Vieux Port will welcome about 900 participants, including NJC Assistant Editor Ling Peng.
	NJC Editor-in-chief Wais Hosseini will be at the International Conference on Advanced Complex Inorganic Nanomaterials, to be held in Namur, Belgium (15–19 July).
	NJC is delighted to sponsor the Tuesday evening Poster Session at the 16^th International Conference on Bio-Inorganic Chemistry (ICBIC), which will take place in Grenoble from 22–26 July 2013.
	The exciting chemistry conference for the Asian community, the 15th Asian Chemical Congress (15 ACC), is returning to its birthplace – Singapore – from 19–23 August. NJC Associate Editor Peter Junk will be there.
	We are delighted to be partner of the Groupe d’Etude de Chimie Organique (GECO), which will meet for the 54^th time this year. This conference, organized by Erwan Le Grognec, will take place in Croisic (France) at the end of August from the 25^th to 30^th.

If you are planning on attending any of these conferences please don’t hesitate to email the editorial office to arrange a meeting!

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NJC Poster Prizes for Synthetic Organic Chemistry

27 Jun 2013

By Denise Parent, Managing Editor.

New Journal of Chemistry sponsored poster prizes awarded this spring during three regional meetings.

Synthetic organic chemistry is the common theme of the research projects that were awarded NJC poster prizes at 3 regional meetings held this past spring.

Irene accepts her NJC poster prize presented by Prof. Elisabet Dunach.

Ms Justine Giauffret & Dr Irene Notar-Francesco (in the group of Sylvain Antoniotti at the Institute of Chemistry in Nice) shared the first prize for their work on the tandem cyclosimerisation and thioacylation of 1,6-enynes catalysed by supported noble metal nanoparticles. This poster was presented at the PACA region (southeastern France) meeting of the French Chemical Society (SCF) in April.

The unexpected product obtained by Justine and Irene.

Nathalie, winner of the NJC poster Prize.

A month later, on the other side of France in Brittany, Ms Nathalie Camus was awarded the NJC poster prize at the northwestern France regional meeting of the SCF. Nathalie is a doctoral student in the group of Raphael Tripier at the Université de Bretagne Occidentale; her poster presented the C-functionalisation of cyclams to make bifunctional chelating ligands for use in nuclear medicine.

Design of the bifunctional chelating cyclam.

Prof. Erick Carreira presents Alexandre with his NJC poster prize.

Moving back to the southeast to Grenoble, Mr Alexandre Cannillo was the NJC poster prize winner at the 3rd Francophone Symposium on Total Synthesis. His award-winning work used domino Petasis Diels-Alder reactions to synthesise enantiopure polycyclic compounds. Alexandre is a graduate student at the Institute on the Chemistry of Natural Substances in Gif-sur-Yvette, working under the direction of Jean-Marie Beau and Stéphanie Norsikian.

Polycyclic compounds synthesised from readily available starting materials by domino reactions.

Congratulations to all of our winners! We wish them continuing success with their research projects and a bright future in chemistry.

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NJC Hot Articles

27 Jun 2013

By Eva Balentova, deputy editor.

Here are the latest Hot Articles published in NJC, selected by the journal editorial team. All are free to access for one month, so why not take your pick and have a read now?

See the selection

Bromine kinetic isotope effects: insight into Grignard reagent formation by Lukasz Szatkowski, Agnieszka Dybala-Defratyka, Charlie Batarseh, Jochanan Blum, Ludwik Halicz and Faina Gelman ; New J. Chem., 2013, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00197K, Letter

Molecularly imprinted La-doped mesoporous titania films with hydrolytic properties toward organophosphate pesticides by Davide Carboni, Luca Malfatti, Alessandra Pinna, Barbara Lasio, Yasuaki Tokudome, Masahide Takahashi and Plinio Innocenzi; New J. Chem., 2013, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00291H, Paper

4-Aminoquinoline-1,3,5-triazine: Design, synthesis, in vitro antimalarial activity and docking studies by Hans Raj Bhat, Udaya Pratap Singh, Prashant Gahtori, Surajit Kumar Ghosh, Kabita Gogoi, Anil Prakash and Ramendra K. Singh; New J. Chem., 2013, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00317E, Paper

Multi-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy of thorium, neptunium and plutonium hexacyanoferrate compound by Thomas Dumas, Marie Christine Charbonnel, Iraida A. Charushnikova, Steven D. Conradson, Clara Fillaux, Christoph Hennig, Philippe Moisy, Sébastien Petit, Andreas C. Scheinost, David K. Shuh, Tolek Tyliszczak and Christophe Den Auwer; New J. Chem., 2013, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00318C, Paper

Spiropyran–cholesterol conjugate as a photoresponsive organogelator by Shigehiro Sumiya, Yasuhiro Shiraishi and Takayuki Hirai; New J. Chem., 2013, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00322A, Paper

Anion–π interactions in [S₄N₃]⁺ rings by Antonio Bauzá, David Quiñonero, Pere M. Deyà and Antonio Frontera; New J. Chem., 2013, Advance Article; DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00424D, Paper

Interested in reading further? These “Hot articles” will be FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks.To stay up-to-date with the latest NJC developments, sign up to its table-of-contents email alert!

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NJC at the 96th Canadian Chemistry Conference in Quebec City

24 Jun 2013

By Denise Parent, Managing Editor.

New Journal of Chemistry sponsored symposia on pincer ligands and aromatic compounds at the Canadian Society for Chemistry’s 2013 meeting.

Clockwise from upper left: Place Royale, St Louis gate, Chateau Frontignac, old city signs, statue of S Champlain, St Louis street. (Photos by D Parent.)

After the wilderness of Georgian Bay, I was off to discover the old world charm of Quebec City, host of the 96th Canadian Chemistry Conference.

NJC sponsored two of the symposia included in the programming:
— “Novel Aromatic Compounds: Molecular Materials and Devices” organised by Graham Bodwell and Yuming Zhao (both at Memorial University of Newfoundland)
— “Recent Developments in Pincer Chemistry and Multidentate Ligands” organised by Davit Zargarian (University of Montreal), Hairong Guan (University of Cincinnati ) and Dmitiri Gousev (Wilfrid Laurier University )

For inorganic chemists the “place to be” at CCC was the pincer ligands symposium during the 3 days that it was held. It was SRO (“standing room only”) at times, as people came to hear some of the top experts speak, people like Gerard van Koten, Bob Crabtree, Mike Fryzuk, Alan Goldman, Dan Mindiola and Oleg Ozerov, who were the plenary lecturers

The novel aromatic compounds symposium had the feeling of a family reunion—convivial with a faithful crowd in attendance. The topics ranged from synthesis to properties to applications with plenary speakers Remi Chauvin, Ben King, Rik Tykwinski, Thomas Baumgartner, Alex Adronov, Will Skene and Dmitri Perepichka.

Novel Aromatic Compounds speakers' dinner with NJC editor Denise Parent and CCC Scientific Chair Thierry Ollevier.

At the end of each symposium, NJC hosted the speakers’ dinner with the organisers. Chic French cuisine was served up for the organic group, while the inorganic chemists were treated to hearty Quebecois cooking. It looks like everyone had a good time, enjoying the food and the company.

Next year’s meeting will be held in Vancouver from June 1–5. I for one certainly look forward to attending.

Photos from the Pincer Ligands speakers' dinner hosted by NJC. (Photos courtesy of G Wilson.)

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Meet Our Authors – June Issue 2013

24 Jun 2013

By Eva Balentova, deputy editor.

by Ling PENG

Here is a selection of young author profiles from the 2013 June special China issue of NJC. We thank them most warmly for accepting our invitation and having kindly taken their time to answer a few questions for us.

Our first author is Prof. Kenneth Kam-Wing Lo, who is currently a professor of chemistry at City University of Hong Kong. He is interested in developing luminescent inorganic and organometallic transition metal complexes as biomolecular and cellular probes, with a focus on intracellular sensors, photoactive labels and bioimaging reagents. His contribution to this issue is the exploration of the phosphorescence properties of rhenium(I) polypyridine complexes for conceiving new sensors for nitric oxide, which is an extremely important molecule involved in many biological processes. “The most exciting moment in my research is to discover unexpected results” says Lo. When asked for what the coolest thing about science is. He answered “To be able to explain what has happened, and predict (and control) what will happen.”

Rhenium(I) polypyridine complexes functionalized with a diaminoaromatic moiety as phosphorescent sensors for nitric oxide by Alex Wing-Tat Choi, Che-Shan Poon, Hua-Wei Liu, Heung-Kiu Cheng and Kenneth Kam-Wing Lo, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1711-1719, DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00033H

Dr. Jinbo Hu is a research professor at Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (SIOC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He is a specialist in organofluorine chemistry. “I like fundamental research in fluorine chemistry, and enjoy the process of discovery and re-discovery.” affirms Jinbo. He contributed a paper entitled “DIAD-mediated metal-free cross dehydrogenative coupling between tertiary amines and α-fluorinated sulfones” to this special issue. When asked what it would be if he could solve any scientific problem in any field, he answered “I would like to find an efficient way to cure any type of cancer”.

DIAD-mediated metal-free cross dehydrogenative coupling between tertiary amines and α-fluorinated sulfones by Weizhou Huang, Chuanfa Ni, Yanchuan Zhao and Jinbo Hu , New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1684-1687 , DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ40842B

Prof. Zhen Li is a professor of chemistry at Wuhan University. His research focuses on the development of organic molecules and polymers with new structures and new functions for organic electronics and photonics. In this special issue, he and his colleagues contributed a paper on self-assembly effect in NLO polymers containing isolation chromophores: enhanced NLO coefficient and stability. “I would like to find something new, and create something new” claimed Zhen.

The self-assembly effect in NLO polymers containing isolation chromophores: enhanced NLO coefficient and stability by Wenbo Wu, Zhen Xu, Ying Xiong, Shaohui Xin, Hongding Tang, Cheng Ye, Guofu Qiu, Jingui Qin and Zhen Li , New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1789-1796 , DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00048F

Prof. Zhixiang Wei is a professor and the Head of Laboratory for Nanodevices at National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing. His research interest centers on the self-assembly and flexible devices. In his contribution to this speical issue, he presented a facile strategy to enhance the fill factor of ternary blend solar cells by increasing charge carrier mobility and optimizing the morphology of active layers. “I like creative work, and enjoy the new findings from my groups as well as from others.”, says Prof. Wei. For him, “Learn from nature, and do more than nature” is the coolest thing about science.

A facile strategy to enhance the fill factor of ternary blend solar cells by increasing charge carrier mobility by Kun Lu, Jin Fang, Xiangwei Zhu, Han Yan, Denghua Li, Chong’an Di, Yanlian Yang and Zhixiang Wei, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1728-1735, DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ41039G

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NJC’s special China issue is now published!

13 Jun 2013

By Denise Parent, Managing Editor.

The June issue of New Journal of Chemistry is devoted to chemistry in China and includes 3 Perspective reviews from leading groups.

The June issue of NJC, which explores chemistry in China today, follows up on the NJC Editorial Board’s visit to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing last year.

This issue includes 3 Perspective reviews and 24 original research papers, covering a wide range of topics in chemistry, as befits the broad scope of New Journal of Chemistry.

The Perspectives review progress in the areas of:
* fluorescent chemosensors based on fluorenes (by the groups of Ping Lu and Yanguang Wang of Zhejiang University);
* hydroxylation of benzene using molecular sieve-based catalysts (by the groups of Tao Jiang and Buxing Han at the IC-CAS in Beijing);
* blue phosphorescent dyes for OLEDs (by the groups of Cheuk-Lam Ho and Wai-Yeung Wong at Hong Kong Baptist University).

	“Fluorescent chemosensors based on 9-cycloheptatrienylidene fluorenes (9-CHFs)” by Binbin Hu, Ping Lu and Yanguang Wang, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1645-1653. DOI: 10.1039/C2NJ41063J
	“Catalytic hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with hydrogen peroxide using catalysts based on molecular sieves” by Tao Jiang, Weitao Wang and Buxing Han, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1654-1664. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ41163J
	“Small-molecular blue phosphorescent dyes for organic light-emitting devices” by Cheuk-Lam Ho and Wai-Yeung Wong, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1665-1683. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00170A

The work of two other groups is featured on the covers:
* polypyridine complexes as sensors for nitric oxide (a contribution from the group of Kenneth Kam-Wing Lo at City University of Hong Kong) are presented on the outside front cover in a depiction of the traditional fire dragon dance;
* naphthalene diimides for organic n-type semiconductors (work done by the group of Deqing Zhang at the IC-CAS in Beijing) are highlighted the inside front cover.

“Rhenium(I) polypyridine complexes functionalized with a diaminoaromatic moiety as phosphorescent sensors for nitric oxide” by Alex Wing-Tat Choi, Che-Shan Poon, Hua-Wei Liu, Heung-Kiu Cheng and Kenneth Kam-Wing Lo, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1711-1719. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00033H
“New core-expanded naphthalene diimides with different functional groups for air-stable solution-processed organic n-type semiconductors” by Xin Chen, Jianguo Wang, Guanxin Zhang, Zitong Liu, Wei Xu and Deqing Zhang, New J. Chem., 2013, 37, 1720-1727. DOI: 10.1039/C3NJ00050H

We are very thankful to the three guest editors (Vivian W.W. Yam, Xuhong Qian and Jiannian Yao) who organised this issue, and to all of the authors who submitted their papers for inclusion in this themed issue.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy reading this issue—let us know what you think of it!

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Meet Our Authors from the July 2013 issue of NJC

NJC poster prize at 5th ECCLS

Top ten most accessed articles from April – June 2013

NJC’s July issue published

Meet NJC team at summer conference season 2013

NJC Poster Prizes for Synthetic Organic Chemistry

NJC Hot Articles

NJC at the 96th Canadian Chemistry Conference in Quebec City

Meet Our Authors – June Issue 2013

NJC’s special China issue is now published!

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