All roads lead to Rome: During the last few decades, various approaches for rational heme protein design have emerged. These techniques not only enhance our understanding of the structure and function of heme proteins in nature but also facilitate the creation of novel biocatalysts and biosensors beyond nature.

[Focus Review]
Ying-Wu Lin, Elizabeth B. Sawyer, Jiangyun Wang
Chem. Asian J., May 23, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300291. Read article.

Gimme a break! Quantum conductance of germanium was measured by electrochemical STM break junction based on a jump-to-contact mechanism. The conductance histogram indicated that the conductance of germanium nanowires was located between 0.02 and 0.15 G₀ (see picture).

[Full Paper]
Xufen Xie, Jiawei Yan, Jinghong Liang, Jijun Li, Meng Zhang, Bingwei Mao
Chem. Asian J., May 23, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300153. Read article.

doi: 10.1002/asia.201300116

Herein, we have developed a synthetic strategy for the covalent double functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a combination of purine–pyrimidine and purine–purine nucleobase systems. The nucleobases were introduced on the sidewall of oxidized SWCNTs through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and by amidation of the carboxylic acids located at the tips and defect sites of the nanotubes. The new nanohybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy, and Kaiser test. The nucleobase/SWCNT conjugates can be envisaged for the modulation of the interactions with nucleic acids by means of base pairing, thereby opening new possibilities in the development of DNA/CNT nanobioconjugates.

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doi: 10.1002/asia.201300153

We present quantum conductance measurements of germanium by means of an electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope (STM) break junction based on a jump-to-contact mechanism. Germanium nanowires between a platinum/iridium tip and different substrates were constructed to measure the quantum conductance. By applying appropriate potentials to the substrate and the tip, the process of heterogeneous contact and homogeneous breakage was realized. Typical conductance traces exhibit steps at 0.025 and 0.05 G₀. The conductance histogram indicates that the conductance of germanium nanowires is located between 0.02 and 0.15 G₀ in the low-conductance region and is free from the influence of substrate materials. However, the distribution of conductance plateaus is too discrete to display distinct peaks in the conductance histogram of the high-conductance region.

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doi: 10.1002/asia.201300291

Heme proteins are among the most abundant and important metalloproteins, exerting diverse biological functions including oxygen transport, small molecule sensing, selective C-H bond activation, nitrite reduction, and electron transfer. Rational heme protein designs focus on the modification of the heme-binding active site and the heme group, protein hybridization and domain swapping, and de novo design. These strategies not only provide us with unique advantages for illustrating the structure–property–reactivity–function (SPRF) relationship of heme proteins in nature but also endow us with the ability to create novel biocatalysts and biosensors.

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doi: 10.1002/asia.201300347

The design of artificial metalloenzymes has become an important topic in biological chemistry and inorganic chemistry due to the potential applications of artificial metalloenzymes in nanoscience and biotechnology. One of the general methods used to produce artificially metalloenzymes involves the encapsulation of non-natural metal cofactors within protein scaffolds. This method has been used in the construction of small artificial metalloproteins with high activity and selectivity. However, the important roles of protein assemblies have not yet been systematically investigated in this field, even though natural enzymatic systems employ protein assemblies as molecular scaffolds for elaborate enzymatic reactions. In recent years, the above-mentioned general strategy has been applied to functionalize protein assemblies such as protein cages and protein crystals. These assembled structures form confined interior environments, which can be used to accommodate metal complex catalysts and to prepare metal nanoparticles. The development of artificial metalloenzymes with hierarchically-assembled proteins would enable us to provide powerful tools for industrial and biological applications. In this Focus Review, we discuss the most significant recent research in this field as well as future directions.

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I am still just a cat. in the cage: The most significant recent research in the field of artificial metalloenzymes is reviewed with a commentary on future directions. In particular, the review is focused on the potential of protein assemblies such as protein cages and crystals composed of assemblies of protein monomers in efforts to design unique catalytic metal complex systems or metal nanoparticles beyond finely tuned small artificial metalloproteins.

[Focus Review]
Takafumi Ueno, Hiroyasu Tabe, Yuya Tanaka
Chem. Asian J., May 22, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300347. Read article.

On the double: The covalent double functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a combination of purine–pyrimidine and purine–purine nucleobase systems was achieved through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and by amidation of the carboxylic acids at the tips and defect sites of the nanotubes, which could find application in the development of DNA/CNT nanobioconjugates.

[Full Paper]
Prabhpreet Singh, Cécilia Ménard-Moyon, Alessia Battigelli, Francesca Maria Toma, Jesus Raya, Jitendra Kumar, Nagapradeep Nidamanuri, Sandeep Verma, Alberto Bianco
Chem. Asian J., May 22, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300116. Read article.

Hi, neighbor! The first organocatalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds was successfully developed with up to 99 % ee. The new methodology provides a direct and facile access to enantiopure cyclic nitro compounds with two contiguous stereocenters.

[Communication]
Xian-Feng Cai, Mu-Wang Chen, Zhi-Shi Ye, Ran-Ning Guo, Lei Shi, Yan-Qin Li, Yong-Gui Zhou
Chem. Asian J., May 17, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300380. Read article.

Playing the host: A novel class of macrocyclic-host-functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) materials with excellent and reversible recognition of Pb^II was developed and upgraded by a site-selective post-modification method (see figure).

[Full Paper]
Gang Ye, Yuxiao Leng, Feifei Bai, Jichao Wei, Jianchen Wang, Jing Chen
Chem. Asian J., May 17, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300131. Read article.

doi: 10.1002/asia.201300131

A novel kind of macrocyclic-host-functionalized periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) with excellent and reversible recognition of Pb^II was developed. The macrocyclic host molecule cis-dicyclohexano[18]crown-6, with strong affinity to Pb^II, was carefully modified as a bridged precursor to build the PMO material. To break down the limit of the functionalization degree for PMOs incorporated with large-sized moieties, a site-selective post-functionalization method was proposed to further decorate the external surface of the PMO material. The selective recognition ability of the upgraded PMO material towards Pb^II was remarkably enhanced without destroying the mesoporous ordering. Solid-state ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), XRD, TEM, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm measurements were utilized for a full characterization of the structure, micromorphology, and surface properties. Reversible binding of Pb^II was realized in the binding–elution cycle experiments. The mechanism of the supramolecular interaction between the macrocyclic host and metal ion was discussed. The synthetic strategy can be considered a general way to optimize the properties of PMOs as binding materials for practical use while preserving the mesostructure.

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Die another DNA: An electrically neutral cobalt complex, [Co(GA)₂(phen)] (GA=glycollic acid, phen=1,10-phenathroline), could intercalate into the DNA duplex through the planar phen ligand with a binding constant of 6.2(±0.2)×10⁵ M⁻¹.

[Full Paper]
Qingxiang Wang, Yingtao Ding, Liheng Wang, Jiancong Ni, Zhanglong Yu, Haibin Lin, Feng Gao
Chem. Asian J., May 16, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300047. Read article.

Crystal clear: Pd-Pt single-crystalline hollow cubes with enhanced catalytic activities have been obtained by using a one-pot template-free method with inorganic salts, such as PdCl₂ and H₂PtCl₆·6 H₂O, as precursors.

[Full Paper]
Long Sun, Zhicheng Zhang, Biao Xu, Xun Wang
Chem. Asian J., May 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300352. Read article.

Strong as an Ox: 2-Thiazoles and 2-oxazoles are formed by oxidation of 2-thiazolines and 2-oxazolines without requiring substituents at the C4 and C5 positions. DDQ plays an important role as the oxidant in this transformation and metal is unnecessary. This general procedure shows good functional group tolerance and provides a wide variety of 2-thiazoles and 2-oxazoles in moderate to excellent yields.

[Communication]
Xiangnan Li, Cheng Li, Bing Yin, Cong Li, Ping Liu, Jianli Li, Zhen Shi
Chem. Asian J., May 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300267. Read article.

Look, mom, one hand! 2-Alkyl-1-alkanols of feeble chirality have been synthesized by a sequence of zirconium-catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA), lipase-catalyzed acetylation, and Pd- or Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling in high enantiomeric purity of ≥99 % ee. The synthetic utility of this method has been demonstrated in highly enantioselective and efficient syntheses of (R)-2-methyl-1-butanol, (R)- and (S)-arundic acids.

[Full Paper]
Shiqing Xu, Ching-Tien Lee, Guangwei Wang, Ei-ichi Negishi
Chem. Asian J., May 13, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300311. Read article.

Nobody does it beta: Hollow aluminosilicate zeolite beta was successfully synthesized by adding CIT-6, that is, zincosilicate zeolite, which has the same topology as beta, as seeds to the Na-aluminosilicate gel without any organic structure-directing agents. It was estimated that the intra-crystalline voids were formed by the dissolution of the seed crystals just after the crystal growth of new beta on the outer surface of the seeds.

[Full Paper]
Kenta Iyoki, Keiji Itabashi, Tatsuya Okubo
Chem. Asian J., May 13, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300365. Read article.

Grade A synthesis: The total synthesis of polygalolide A was accomplished through an intramolecular Ferrier-type C-glycosylation of a glucal modified with siloxyfuran as a key step, leading to the desired oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octene with the correct quaternary stereogenic centers. The siloxy group at the C-3 position played a crucial role in the stereocontrol.

[Full Paper]
Hitomi Yamada, Masaatsu Adachi, Minoru Isobe, Toshio Nishikawa
Chem. Asian J., May 13, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300362. Read article.

Let's change the channel: Trimeric oligonorbornenes with hammock-like crown ether pendants are impregnated in egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EYPC) liposome as artificial sodium ion channels. The presence of a polar hydroxy end group results in a high ion channel efficiency. The orientation of the crown ether moieties in these oligomers may be critical for the ion channel properties.

[Full Paper]
Nai-Ti Lin, Chen-Yu Xie, Shou-Ling Huang, Chung-Hsuan Chen, Tien-Yau Luh
Chem. Asian J., May 13, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300222. Read article.

Double trouble: A new approach to an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) is suggested, which is based on proton-conducting ionic clathrate hydrate (ICH) Me₄NOH·5 H₂O. The carbon materials in the ICH show high specific capacitance, reversible charge–discharge behavior, and a long cycle life. These ICHs are expected to find practical applications in versatile energy devices that incorporate electrochemical systems.

[Full Paper]
Wonhee Lee, Minchul Kwon, Seongmin Park, Dongwook Lim, Jong-Ho Cha, Huen Lee
Chem. Asian J., May 13, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300089. Read article.

Pyrrole victory: Cyclopenta[b]pyrroles have been synthesized by the rhodium(III)-catalyzed oxidative annulative coupling of 1,2-diketones, 2-aminopyridine, and alkynes. This transformation can also be carried out in a one-pot sequence, thereby providing a quick and straightforward access to synthetically and pharmaceutically important cyclopenta[b]pyrroles.

[Communication]
Juanjuan Du, Bing Zhou, Yaxi Yang, Yuanchao Li
Chem. Asian J., May 10, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300341. Read article.

Penny Ln: Two lanthanide(III)-copper(II) organic frameworks based on {OLn₆} clusters were synthesized. Isotropic Gd-Cu showed a large magnetocaloric effect while anisotropic Dy-Cu exhibited slow relaxation of the magnetization at low temperatures.

[Full Paper]
Yanmin Bing, Na Xu, Wei Shi, Ke Liu, Peng Cheng
Chem. Asian J., May 09, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300250. Read article.

The wizard of Os: A simple protocol that uses [Os^III(OH)(H₂O)(L-N₄Me₂)](PF₆)₂ (1) and H₂O₂ for efficient cis-1,2-dihydroxylation of alkenes is presented. Unfunctionalized (or aliphatic) alkenes and alkenes/styrenes containing electron-withdrawing groups were converted into the corresponding vicinal diols in good to excellent yields.It has been confirmed that the Os^V(O)(OH) species (2) is the active oxidant, which is formed via the hydroperoxide adduct A.

[Full Paper]
Hideki Sugimoto, Kenji Ashikari, Shinobu Itoh
Chem. Asian J., May 07, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300329. Read article.

Team work: The synergistic effect in novel SnO₂/ZnWO₄ core–shell nanorods leads to their high reversible lithium storage capacity. At C/20 (20 h per half cycle) rate, the reversible capacity of SnO₂/ZnWO₄ core–shell nanorods is up to ~1000 mAh g⁻¹.

[Full Paper]
Li-Li Xing, Shuang Yuan, Bin He, Ya-Yu Zhao, Xiao-Ling Wu, Xin-Yu Xue
Chem. Asian J., May 07, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300337. Read article.

Group therapy: This Focus Review summarizes the rational designs that have been proposed for effectively addressing the challenges of anode materials based on Group IVA (Si, Ge, and Sn) elements for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which include nanostructures with a sufficient number of voids, “plum-pudding” nanohybrids, and nanohybrids with efficient and permanent transport pathways for electrons and stable surface coatings.

[Focus Review]
Xing-Long Wu, Yu-Guo Guo, Li-Jun Wan
Chem. Asian J., May 06, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300279. Read article.

Stick, twist, or fold? The acetylinic linkage in two isomeric oligomers controls the conformation of the bipyridyl moiety. Although both oligomers have potentially foldable structures, only oligomer 1 adopts a folded conformation in polar solvents.

[Full Paper]
Kizhmuri P. Divya, Sivaramapanicker Sreejith, Cherumuttathu H. Suresh, Divya S. Philips, Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh
Chem. Asian J., May 06, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300132. Read article.

Building bridges: New oligothiophene-bridged bis(arylene ethynylene) small molecules (see picture) are developed and applied in solution-processed organic solar cells. All of these photovoltaic devices showed very high open-circuit voltage of over 0.90 V, and the best power conversion efficiency achieved was 3.68 %.

[Full Paper]
Qian Liu, Hongmei Zhan, Cheuk-Lam Ho, Feng-Rong Dai, Yingying Fu, Zhiyuan Xie, Lixiang Wang, Jin-Hua Li, Feng Yan, Shu-Ping Huang, Wai-Yeung Wong
Chem. Asian J., May 06, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300244. Read article.

doi: 10.1002/asia.201300279

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) represent the state-of-the-art technology in rechargeable energy-storage devices and they currently occupy the prime position in the marketplace for powering an increasingly diverse range of applications. However, the fast development of these applications has led to increasing demands being placed on advanced LIBs in terms of higher energy/power densities and longer life cycles. For LIBs to meet these requirements, researchers have focused on active electrode materials, owing to their crucial roles in the electrochemical performance of batteries. For anode materials, compounds based on Group IVA (Si, Ge, and Sn) elements represent one of the directions in the development of high-capacity anodes. Although these compounds have many significant advantages when used as anode materials for LIBs, there are still some critical problems to be solved before they can meet the high requirements for practical applications. In this Focus Review, we summarize a series of rational designs for Group IVA-based anode materials, in terms of their chemical compositions and structures, that could address these problems, that is, huge volume variations during cycling, unstable surfaces/interfaces, and invalidation of transport pathways for electrons upon cycling. These designs should at least include one of the following structural benefits: 1) Contain a sufficient number of voids to accommodate the volume variations during cycling; 2) adopt a “plum-pudding”-like structure to limit the volume variations during cycling; 3) facilitate an efficient and permanent transport pathway for electrons and lithium ions; or 4) show stable surfaces/interfaces to stabilize the in situ formed SEI layers.

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Ring around the rosie: The effective enantioselective synthesis of the antimalarial nonenolide title compounds was achieved in a convergent strategy. Oxy-Michael addition reaction was used to introduce the chiral methoxy group at C-4, and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reaction (53 % yield) facilitated the key construction of the 10-membered ring.

[Communication]
Bin Ma, Zhuliang Zhong, Haitao Hu, Huilin Li, Changgui Zhao, Xingang Xie, Xuegong She
Chem. Asian J., May 03, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300332. Read article.

NN-CNN breaking news: 2,3-Di(2-pyridyl)-5-phenylpyrazine, which is able to bind two metals through a NN-CNN-type coordination mode, has been designed and synthesized. A RuPt heterobimetallic complex with this bridging ligand shows near-infrared emission at 750 nm, with a quantum yield of 0.41 % and an excited-state lifetime of 170 ns.

[Full Paper]
Si-Hai Wu, Yu-Wu Zhong, Jiannian Yao
Chem. Asian J., May 02, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300327. Read article.

Bedknobs and broomsticks: This Focus Review discusses the current status in the development of synthetic procedures, recently explored substrates, innovative applications, and the accompanying challenges of surface-grafted macromolecular assemblies.

[Focus Review]
Basit Yameen, Aleeza Farrukh
Chem. Asian J., May 02, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300149. Read article.

A spoonful of sugars: An efficient and practical consecutive protection/glycosylation strategy afforded orthogonally protected disaccharides. Further deprotection and/or sulfation steps led to the formation of non- and mono-sulfated glycans.

[Full Paper]
Zhijay Tu, Hsiao-Wu Hsieh, Chih-Ming Tsai, Chia-Wei Hsu, Shy-Guey Wang, Kuan-Jung Wu, Kuo-I Lin, Chun-Hung Lin
Chem. Asian J., May 02, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201201204. Read article.

Plenty of ions in the fire: Two monostyryl BODIPY derivatives have been prepared that can selectively detect Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions in MeCN or in aqueous medium.

[Full Paper]
Hui He, Dennis K. P. Ng
Chem. Asian J., May 02, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300183. Read article.

doi: 10.1002/asia.201300149

Surface-tethered polymers, or “polymer brushes”, are emerging as key elements in the context of regulating the surface characteristics of materials. Their properties, such as biocompatibility, antifouling, colloidal stability, wettability, and corrosion resistance, play a vital role in ascertaining their potential applications. The availability of straightforward procedures for polymer brush synthesis, which are applicable to a wide range of monomers and are adaptable to a range of substrates, is a clear advantage over other surface-modification strategies. Herein, the important advancements that are pertinent to the fabrication of polymer brushes are outlined. Furthermore, an exhaustive up-to-date overview of the developments in different application domains, including smart drug-delivery systems, biosensing, antifouling, stimuli-responsive surfaces, and ion-conducting membranes, that benefit from the developments in the field of polymer brushes, is presented.

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All change! The delocalization effect of electron-withdrawing substituents on anthraquinone imide (AQI) derivatives is enhanced in the radical anion state, which leads to the design and synthesis of a new AQI molecule (di-CN-AQI) substituted with a strongly electron-withdrawing dicyanovinyl substituent. Upon one-electron reduction, this compound reveals broad absorptions in the ranges of λ=700–1000 and 1100–1800 nm together with a colorless to purple–red transition.

[Full Paper]
Fengkun Chen, Jie Zhang, Hong Jiang, Xinhua Wan
Chem. Asian J., Apr 29, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300176. Read article.

Going full blast: The synthesis and full structural as well as spectroscopic characterization of three 5-(triazol-3-yl) tetrazoles in combination with selected energetic moieties like nitro, nitrimino, and azido groups is presented. As expected, the properties strongly depend on the energetic moiety at the triazole ring. The connection via the C-C bond of a triazole ring with its opportunity to introduce a large variety of energetic moieties and a tetrazole ring leads to the selective synthesis of primary and secondary explosives.

[Full Paper]
Alexander A. Dippold, Thomas M. Klapötke
Chem. Asian J., Apr 29, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300063. Read article.

Back of the net: Three heterometallic cyano-bridged mixed-valence Cu^I/Cu^II coordination networks show Macmahon-type (5,³₄) 2D Cairo tiling sheets or a two-fold-interpenetrated (3,4)-connected {8³}₂{8⁶} 3D topological framework. Their structural difference is due to water molecules on the octahedrally coordinated Cu^II atom, which are gradually replaced by 1,2-propane diamine chelate groups.

[Full Paper]
Ying-Lian Qin, Ru-Xin Yao, Guo-Xing Wu, Min-Min Liu, Xian-Ming Zhang
Chem. Asian J., Apr 26, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300143. Read article.

A twist to solubility: A solid form screen of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator molecule cardiosulfa 1 and its analogues 2–6 showed that cardiosulfa exists in only one crystalline form, whereas 2–5 are polymorphic. The more soluble compounds 2 and 5 adopt twisted conformations in the crystal structure (see figure), unlike a near-planar conformation of the less soluble 1.

[Full Paper]
S. Sudalai Kumar, Soumendra Rana, Ashwini Nangia
Chem. Asian J., Apr 24, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201201162. Read article.

Au revoIR: Hexaphyrin Au^III–Ir^III complexes were prepared from the reaction of a mono-Au^III [26]hexaphyrin complex with [IrCl(cod)]₂ followed by treatment with pyridine. N-Fusion reaction of this complex gave a syn-doubly N-fused hexaphyrin as the major product, which displayed antiaromatic properties such as strong paratropic ring current, a small HOMO–LUMO gap and a low-energy forbidden absorption. The oxidation of this fused product with MnO₂ afforded an oxidatively cleaved product.

[Communication]
Koji Naoda, Hirotaka Mori, Atsuhiro Osuka
Chem. Asian J., Apr 24, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300320. Read article.

Three’s a crowd: Tri- and tetrasubstituted allyl allenes can be easily accessed by this Cu^I-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of N-tosylhydrazones, terminal alkynes, and allyl halides. The reaction proceeds through a mechanism involving copper carbene migratory insertion.

[Communication]
Fei Ye, Mohammad Lokman Hossain, Yan Xu, Xiaoshen Ma, Qing Xiao, Yan Zhang, Jianbo Wang
Chem. Asian J., Apr 24, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300340. Read article.

MNC Hammer: A simple and facile one-pot synthesis of highly water-dispersible size-tunable Fe₃O₄ nanocrystal clusters end-functionalized with amino or carboxyl groups by a modified solvothermal reduction process has been presented. The particle size could be tuned over a wide range from 175 to 500 nm by varying the concentration of dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyhydroxycinnamic acid (DHCA).

[Full Paper]
Hao Zhu, Chen Hou, Yijing Li, Guanghui Zhao, Xiao Liu, Ke Hou, Yanfeng Li
Chem. Asian J., Apr 24, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300026. Read article.

Ties that bind: Triazole rings function as a metal-ion ligand or as part of a conjugated system. These properties, as well as the utility of the click reaction that is used to form them, have led to their inclusion in optical metal-ion sensors.

[Focus Review]
Jonathan J. Bryant, Uwe H. F. Bunz
Chem. Asian J., Apr 24, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300260. Read article.

Convenient preparations of 3,4-dichloropyrrole and 3,4-difluoropyrrole are reported. 2,3,17,18-Tetrahalohexaphyrins were synthesized and meso-reduced hexaphyrins were obtained by reduction of tetrabromo- and tetrachloro[28]hexaphyrin with NaBH₄ as the first example of phlorin-type hexaphyrin.

Coming soon.

This study shows that graphene-like nanosheets of MoO₃ can be prepared by a variety of chemical methods besides ultrasonication. The prepared few-layer materials exhibit good photocatalytic activity for the degradation of dyes. Composites of MoO₃ nanosheets with a conducting borocarbonitride show excellent performance as supercapacitor electrodes.

Coming soon.

At the drop of a HAT: Two novel azaacenes with six or ten N atoms in their backbones, HATBH (1) and DHATPH (2), have been successfully synthesized in two steps. Interestingly, HATBH (1) can act as efficient anion sensor for F⁻ and H₂PO₄⁻, while DHATPH (2) selectively responds to F⁻ (see figure).

[Full Paper]
Gang Li, Yuechao Wu, Junkuo Gao, Junbo Li, Yang Zhao, Qichun Zhang
Chem. Asian J., Apr 19, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300208. Read article.

NHCs click into place: A one-pot synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles has been developed by combining oxidative N-heterocyclic carbene catalysis with click chemistry. A range of 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared in moderate-to-good yields under mild conditions.

[Full Paper]
B. T. Ramanjaneyulu, Virsinha Reddy, Panjab Arde, Sriram Mahesh, R. Vijaya Anand
Chem. Asian J., Apr 19, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300138. Read article.

Enjoy the RAFTing tour: Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) is one of the most robust and versatile methods for controlling radical polymerization to produce low dispersity polymers with well-defined architecture and composition. Applications described in this review include polymers for optoelectronics, block copolymer therapeutics, and star polymer rheology control agents.

[Focus Review]
Graeme Moad, Ezio Rizzardo, San H. Thang
Chem. Asian J., Apr 18, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300262. Read article.

Toward NIR response: Recent progress in squaraine dyes has led to a rapid increase in the energy conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. Squaraine dyes are also a promising candidate as near-infrared (NIR) co-sensitizers in co-sensitized solar cells. In this Focus Review, we highlight some recent advances of squaraine sensitizers and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells.

[Focus Review]
Chuanjiang Qin, Wai-Yeung Wong, Liyuan Han
Chem. Asian J., Apr 17, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300185. Read article.

Nucleic acids stand out: Cationic tetraphenylethenes selectively light up nucleic acids by fluorescence and thus can be applied for DNA/RNA quantitation and visualization, chromosome staining, and differentiation of live/dead cells (see figure).

[Full Paper]
Yuning Hong, Sijie Chen, Chris Wai Tung Leung, Jacky Wing Yip Lam, Ben Zhong Tang
Chem. Asian J., Apr 17, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300065. Read article.

Graphene look-alike: MoS₂ has a layered structure similar to graphene. Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) interacts with thin, few-layer MoS₂ material by donating an electron, resulting in the formation of TTF radical cation and n-type doping of MoS₂. Electron-withdrawing tetracyanoethylene, in contrast, does not cause p-type doping in MoS₂.

[Communication]
Sunita Dey, H. S. S. Ramakrishna Matte, Sharmila N. Shirodkar, Umesh V. Waghmare, C. N. R. Rao
Chem. Asian J., Apr 16, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300174. Read article.

One-step approach: A homodinuclear nickel Schiff base catalyst was utilized for the title reaction, thus providing easy access to spirocyclic oxindole compounds in one step. High enantioselectivity as well as high catalyst turnover number (TON, up to 850) were achieved at ambient temperature.

[Communication]
Shota Kato, Motomu Kanai, Shigeki Matsunaga
Chem. Asian J., Apr 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300251. Read article.

Zero to hero: Because fullerenes can be regarded as ideal zero-dimensional (0D) functional building units, the construction of higher-dimensional objects from fullerenes, that is, 1D, 2D, and 3D nanomaterials, can facilitate powerful aspects of nanoarchitectonics. This Focus Review summarizes recent developments in the production of nanostructured fullerenes and in techniques to elaborate fullerene nanomaterials into hierarchical structures.

[Focus Review]
Lok Kumar Shrestha, Qingmin Ji, Taizo Mori, Kun'ichi Miyazawa, Yusuke Yamauchi, Jonathan P. Hill, Katsuhiko Ariga
Chem. Asian J., Apr 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300247. Read article.

Sk[8]er boi: Cucurbit[8]uril-based host–guest interactions are described, with a special emphasis on the fabrication of supramolecular polymers, including small-molecule-based supramolecular polymers and polymer-based supramolecular polymers.

[Focus Review]
Yiliu Liu, Hui Yang, Zhiqiang Wang, Xi Zhang
Chem. Asian J., Apr 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300151. Read article.

Unlucky for some: 13-Vertex carborane monoanions with exo C=C π bonding to hypercarbon atoms were characterized by deprotonation of their α-methylene atoms. These monoanions had the same cage geometry as their parent neutral molecules.

[Full Paper]
Fangrui Zheng, Jian Zhang, Xiaodu Fu, Zuowei Xie
Chem. Asian J., Apr 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300240. Read article.

Transformation with every fiber of its being: Dehydrobenzoannulene derivatives with a boomerang shape, dipole moment, and substituents that make diverse interactions enable the contruction of stimuli-responsive nanofibers despite the lack of stimuli-responsive groups in these compounds. Interestingly, the supramolecular nanofibers obtained after ultrasonic treatment displayed an 80% decrease in conductivity as compared to untreated nanofibers. This is the first example of an electronic wire for which the conductivity can be controlled by ultrasound.

[Communication]
Hajime Shigemitsu, Ichiro Hisaki, Hirofumi Senga, Daisuke Yasumiya, Tejender S. Thakur, Akinori Saeki, Shu Seki, Norimitsu Tohnai, Mikiji Miyata
Chem. Asian J., Apr 12, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300258. Read article.

Avengers self-assemble: The interconvertible self-assembly of planar bilayers and vesicle gels was achieved in anionic/nonionic (CF/CH) surfactant solutions, which could be of practical use for controlled drug delivery and release.

[Full Paper]
Renhao Dong, Jing Wu, Shuli Dong, Shasha Song, Feng Tian, Jingcheng Hao
Chem. Asian J., Apr 09, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300134. Read article.

Be on etch: Large polyhedral Ag₂S cages (bottom) with thin shells can be readily obtained by first forming a sulfide layer over various polyhedral Ag₂O crystal templates (top) such as cubes, octahedra, and hexapods through a rapid sulfidation process, and subsequent treatment with an ammonia solution to remove the Ag₂O cores; the Ag₂S cages retain the morphologies of the original templates (scale bar=500 nm).

[Full Paper]
Lian-Ming Lyu, Michael H. Huang
Chem. Asian J., Mar 28, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300066. Read article.

Stacked rings: A diamond-shaped macrocycle with two inward phenanthroline ligands and outward long alkyl chains, and its Pd^II complex form organic and organometallic fibrous aggregates, respectively, as revealed by NMR, UV/Vis, AFM, and TEM measurements. The most likely structures are face-to-face stacked macrocycles, generating nanotubes.

[Communication]
Masumi Kuritani, Shohei Tashiro, Mitsuhiko Shionoya
Chem. Asian J., Mar 28, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300209. Read article.

Trapped in the matrix: Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been recently used as filler particles in mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), and significant improvements have been reported for gas selectivity and gas permeability in these MOF-based membranes (see figure). This review covers the opportunities and challenges of MOF-based MMMs in gas-separation applications.

[Focus Review]
Ilknur Erucar, Gamze Yilmaz, Seda Keskin
Chem. Asian J., Mar 25, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300084. Read article.

Second the best: Second-order NLO poly(arylene-ethynylene)s that contained an isolation chromophore were obtained, in which the isolation groups were introduced by using the “suitable isolation group” concept or the Ar-Ar^F self-assembly effect.

[Full Paper]
Wenbo Wu, Cheng Ye, Jingui Qin, Zhen Li
Chem. Asian J., Mar 25, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300010. Read article.

The gold standard: A gold-catalyzed cascade reaction sequence for the preparation of polycyclic fused indole cores exploits the ready availability and chemical flexibility of propargylic alcohols. The desired tri- or tetracyclic compounds are obtained in good yields with water as the only stoichiometric by-product.

[Communication]
Michel Chiarucci, Elia Matteucci, Gianpiero Cera, Giancarlo Fabrizi, Marco Bandini
Chem. Asian J., Mar 15, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201201249. Read article.

Pack like a (benzotri)p(yr)ro(le): A synthetic method for benzotrifuran and benzotripyrrole derivatives was developed. 2-D and 3-D molecular structures of these compounds were investigated, and diverse molecular orientations of them and correlation between their packing structures and emission properties were revealed.

[Full Paper]
Hayato Tsuji, Guillaume Cantagrel, Yasuyuki Ueda, Ting Chen, Li-Jun Wan, Eiichi Nakamura
Chem. Asian J., Mar 14, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300106. Read article.

Let your light shine: By using pincer-type cyclometalated Pt^II arylacetylide complexes as dopants, a maximum current efficiency of 26.57 cd A⁻¹ (22.12 cd A⁻¹ at 1000 cd m⁻²) has been achieved with solution-processable phosphorescent OLEDs, the highest ever reported for this type of devices based on phosphorescent Pt^II emitters.

[Communication]
Gang Cheng, Yong Chen, Chuluo Yang, Wei Lu, Chi-Ming Che
Chem. Asian J., Mar 06, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201201146. Read article.

Like a red, red rose: Rapid and sensitive detection of phenol in water was achieved using laccase nanoflowers to catalyze the oxidative coupling of phenol to 4-aminopyrine to form an antipyrine dye, which was detected by absorption at 495 nm. The analysis was performed using a commercial syringe filter, in which the membrane with a pore size of 0.2 μm accommodated the laccase nanoflowers of 4 μm in diameter.

[Communication]
Lin Zhu, Lu Gong, Yifei Zhang, Rui Wang, Jun Ge, Zheng Liu, Richard N. Zare
Chem. Asian J., Feb 19, 2013, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201300020. Read article.

Transition metal-doped graphene hybrids were prepared by exfoliation of metal-doped graphite oxide precursors in either H₂ or N₂ atmosphere. Characterizations of the materials suggest that the H₂ exfoliated materials had higher C/O ratios in general. The electrocatalytic activities of the transition metal-doped graphene hybrids were reflected in an enhancement of the kinetics of oxygen reduction under alkaline conditions, which is important for renewable energy applications such as fuel cells. It was found that hybrid materials exfoliated in N₂ atmosphere exhibited greater electrocatalytic activities than those exfoliated in H₂ atmosphere.

Coming soon.

The current fabrication strategy for colloidal PbSe semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) frequently involves acutely toxic reagents and tedious reaction procedures, and is plagued by products with poorly controlled size and morphology. Herein, a facile and phosphine-free method for synthesizing PbSe NCs is reported by the reaction of elemental Se and PbCl2 that involves only oleylamine as both ligand and reaction medium. This method results in monodispersed PbSe NCs with well-controlled size and morphology. In addition, the obtained NCs display strong optical limiting effects, and thus hold potential for the development of nonlinear optical devices.

Sugar sugar: Nanoporous PdCu near-surface alloys that were prepared by two-step dealloying exhibited significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation, which could be used for enhanced nonenzymatic glucose biosensing.

[Full Paper]
Qiaolin Lang, Liang Li, Aihua Liu, Huajun Qiu
Chem. Asian J., Nov 29, 2012, DOI: 10.1002/asia.201200016. Read article.