Reviews & Analysis

Exploiting benzene ring contraction to access high-value molecular scaffolds is challenging. Now, through photoexcitation of a transient intermediate generated during the interrupted Fischer indolization, the benzene ring contraction of arylhydrazines is unlocked to synthesize fused pyridines under mild conditions. The reaction shows good functional group tolerance and predictable regioselectivity.

Isolating a metal-free isodiazomethyl anion has been a longstanding challenge. Now, an isodiazomethyl anion stabilized by a cyclic boryl group has been isolated and structurally characterized. The anion features a highly nucleophilic boron-bound nitrogen centre that enables it to function as an effective boryl-nitrene synthon.

The deuteration of organic compounds typically requires harsh conditions. Now, a scalable photocatalytic method is developed for the deuteration of N-heteroarenes in D₂O at room temperature under visible light irradiation and an inert atmosphere over an atomically dispersed palladium photocatalyst.

Nanoemulsion modular assembly is emerging as a versatile strategy for synthesizing diverse functional mesoporous nanomaterials. This Review highlights the capabilities of nanoemulsion modular assembly for precise control over pore size, structure, composition and morphology, as well as discussing possible applications of functional mesoporous nanomaterials.

The strategic placement of sulfur within a nickel porphyrin complex coupled with copper facilitates efficient electrochemical CO₂ reduction to ethylene and ethanol.

Achieving the asymmetric activation of unfunctionalized hydrocarbons remains a difficult problem for chemists. Now, a confined iIDP catalyst overcomes this challenge by promoting an asymmetric hydroalkoxylation of bicyclobutanes. The enantioselectivity is controlled by non-covalent interactions between the confined anion of ilDP and a cyclopropylcarbinyl ion intermediate.

Radical processes can be leveraged to impart meta selectivity in pyridine functionalization, offering a valuable approach for the late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules.

Laser technology offers high energy, precise spatial resolution and seamless automation for materials synthesis and device fabrication. This Review highlights laser-assisted materials engineering at the atomic and nanoscales and examines the laser-assisted discovery of materials with interesting properties and applications.

Building space into solids is the focus of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University), Richard Robson (University of Melbourne) and Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley) “for the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)”. These materials, composed of metal ions or clusters linked by organic molecules, contain permanent and tunable cavities that have transformed how chemists design in the solid state.

Confining conjugated polymers within chiral metal–organic frameworks enables direct visualization of helical order and enhances their charge transport and spin selectivity properties.

Photochemical oxygen atom migration into carbon–carbon bonds enables the efficient synthesis of ethers from alcohol motifs.

Liquid gallium is employed as a reaction medium to synthesize uniquely structured solid–liquid–solid core–shell–shell nanoparticles, enabling the fabrication of diverse metallic nanostructures with excellent electrocatalytic performance.

Electrolysis enables selective dual C–H functionalization for transforming inert polyolefin deconstruction products into dynamic recyclable networks.

Tuning the kinetics of photo-induced crosslinking between mechanically distinct polymer phases produces strong and tough hydrogels.

Precisely controlling the thickness of two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) is challenging. Now, crystalline monolayer and bilayer 2DPs are synthesized by embedding macrocyclic molecules in the polymer backbones to form mechanical bonds and provide control over the number of layers. This mechanical interlocking endows the synthetic bilayer with a high Young’s modulus.

The synthesis of covalent organic frameworks — a class of crystalline porous polymer — has been limited to reversible polycondensation reactions, whereas irreversible coupling reactions have typically yielded amorphous materials. Now, a micro-interfacial polymerization method is developed that uses the Glaser–Eglinton coupling reaction to synthesize covalent organic frameworks.

Determining the atomic-level structures of confined polymers is challenging. Now, helical polythiophene and polypyrrole are synthesized in situ within a chiral iron-based metal–organic framework (MOF) and resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The polymers form single-handed helices in the MOF’s narrow channels and amplify its chirality-induced spin selectivity.

The scalable fabrication of perovskite solar cells is hindered by the uneven deposition of perovskite colloidal particles during printing. Now, introduction of a mechanically interlocked network into the precursor ink to construct a three-dimensional network immobilizes the particles, regulating their rheological behaviour and enabling uniform deposition of large-area films.

Inspired by nature’s spatially organized catalytic systems, multiscale confinement emerges as a powerful strategy for programmable biocatalysis. This Review highlights recent advances in designing artificial enzymes, enzyme immobilization methods and substrate channelling techniques, discussing current challenges and future directions towards efficient, sustainable enzyme catalysis for organic synthesis.

An electrochemical method for forming C–N bonds has been developed that proceeds through oxidation of amines to reactive nitrogen radicals. This strategy expands the accessibility of potentially bioactive aryl amines as it can be used to selectively aminate electron-poor aromatics — a challenge in many aromatic C–H functionalizations.