Nature Chemistry

Nature Chemistry

@natchem.nature.com

A chemistry journal for cutting-edge research and analysis from @natureportfolio.nature.com. Account run by @nchemgav.bsky.social and @joansp.bsky.social https://www.nature.com/nchem/

8.7K followers52 following223 posts

Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Crystalline neutral and cationic oxoboranes #chemsky

dlvr.itCrystalline neutral and cationic oxoboranesNature Chemistry, Published online: 27 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02273-9The isolation of oxoboranes featuring a genuine B–O triple bond is challenging owing to the instability of the B≡O linkage. Now stable crystalline oxoboranes have been prepared through a carbon-monoxide-triggered transformation, revealing a highly polarized B–O triple bond and enabling access to both neutral and cationic derivatives through ambiphilic reactivity.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Enzymatic oxidative esterification with an unconventional regioselective control #chemsky

dlvr.itEnzymatic oxidative esterification with an unconventional regioselective controlNature Chemistry, Published online: 26 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02288-2Regioselective esterification remains challenging, particularly when multiple alcohol groups with similar reactivity are present. Now it has been shown that aldehyde dehydrogenases can be engineered into oxidative ester synthases with programmable alcohol selectivity, enabling controlled ester bond formation through active-site remodelling.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Coherent manipulation of Zr(III) aryloxide qudits #chemsky

dlvr.itCoherent manipulation of Zr(III) aryloxide quditsNature Chemistry, Published online: 23 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02269-5Zr(III) complexes have been historically challenging to isolate owing to their tendency to dimerize or disproportionate. Now, bulky aryloxide ligands have been used to kinetically stabilize mononuclear Zr(III) ions at room temperature. The electronic and electronuclear transitions of these complexes can also be coherently manipulated as competitive molecular qudits.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Nature Progress Sustainable Chemistry, a new open-access journal from Nature Portfolio, is now open for submissions. Publishing new insights across all aspects of sustainable and green chemistry. Visit the journal site to find out more. www.nature.com/natprogsusch...

nature.comNature Progress Sustainable ChemistryAn open-access journal publishing high-impact research in the field of sustainable chemistry, including work addressing challenges in sustainability and ...
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Cooling water to near freezing breaks the activity–stability trade-off of water oxidation electrocatalysis #chemsky

dlvr.itCooling water to near freezing breaks the activity–stability trade-off of water oxidation electrocatalysisNature Chemistry, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02274-8Temperature can influence competing catalytic pathways differently, but its role in balancing electrocatalytic activity and stability remains underexplored. Now it has been shown that cooling water to near freezing selectively suppresses manganese dioxide dissolution, extending water oxidation lifetime and revealing anomalous subzero kinetics.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Electrolytes that mind bridging the gap #chemsky

dlvr.itElectrolytes that mind bridging the gapNature Chemistry, Published online: 20 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02287-3Silicon anodes enable high-energy-density Li-ion batteries but face reversibility challenges when operating under extreme temperature and charge-rate conditions. Now, a liquid electrolyte design results in interface protection and reduced electrode expansion during such operation, while also having lithium plating tolerance.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Stereochemical preorganization directs triple-helical assembly of Au4 nanoclusters #chemsky

dlvr.itStereochemical preorganization directs triple-helical assembly of Au4 nanoclustersNature Chemistry, Published online: 16 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02271-xTranslating local stereochemical information into higher-order helical architectures is a central challenge in materials design. Now it has been shown that stereochemically preorganized Au4 nanoclusters assemble into homochiral triple helices through directional aurophilic interactions, providing a design strategy for chiral nanocluster materials with amplified chiroptical responses.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Unidirectional rotation in a molecular motor driven by angular-momentum transfer via helical orbitals #chemsky

dlvr.itUnidirectional rotation in a molecular motor driven by angular-momentum transfer via helical orbitalsNature Chemistry, Published online: 16 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02264-wMolecular motors typically rotate by cycling through excitation and relaxation to ground states. Now it has been shown that a molecular motor can be driven by angular-momentum transfer. Circulating positive and negative currents flowing through orbitals of opposite helicity along a carbon–carbon triple bond enable unidirectional rotation.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Reversible Sn4+/Sn0 anode for high-energy-density flow batteries #chemsky

dlvr.itReversible Sn4+/Sn0 anode for high-energy-density flow batteriesNature Chemistry, Published online: 09 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02275-7Tin-based aqueous flow batteries offer high-capacity anodes due to the potential four-electron redox reactions, but irreversible Sn4+/Sn2+ electrochemistry has hindered battery development. Now it has been shown that iodide-mediated intermediate complexes enable reversible Sn4+/Sn2+ conversion and four-electron Sn4+/Sn0 chemistry, yielding a high anolyte energy density and stable long-term operation.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

A triple carbonylation cascade converts aldehydes into threofuranoses #chemsky

dlvr.itA triple carbonylation cascade converts aldehydes into threofuranosesNature Chemistry, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02284-6The construction of complex sugars from aldehydes is difficult. Now, a rhodium-catalysed triple-carbonylation cascade is developed that enables the direct conversion of diverse aldehydes into structurally defined 4-carbothreofuranoses in one step. This strategy overcomes long-standing challenges in iterative carbonylation and establishes a modular platform for oxygen-rich scaffold assembly.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Controlling reactions via nucleophile sorting #chemsky

dlvr.itControlling reactions via nucleophile sortingNature Chemistry, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02268-6Controlling the regio-, chemo-, and enantioselectivity of vicinal addition across olefins remains a challenging process. Now, a palladium-catalysed system has been developed, starting from propargylic alcohol precursors, that exploits tiered nucleophilicity between inner- and outer-sphere processes for precise control over the reaction outcome.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Orthogonal nucleophile-ordered assembly for modular access to enantiopure 1,2-amino alcohols #chemsky

dlvr.itOrthogonal nucleophile-ordered assembly for modular access to enantiopure 1,2-amino alcoholsNature Chemistry, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02263-xThe selective assembly of multiple chemicals into complex chiral architectures in a single operation is a long-standing challenge. Now a palladium-catalysed orthogonal strategy has been shown to sort and incorporate two native N–H/O–H nucleophiles with similar reactivity, delivering enantioenriched 1,2-amino alcohols and 1,2-diols with high selectivity.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Evolution of dipole–dipole dynamics in cold ammonia collisions #chemsky

dlvr.itEvolution of dipole–dipole dynamics in cold ammonia collisionsNature Chemistry, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02270-yInteractions between polar molecules are expected to become increasingly strong at low collision energies through dipole–dipole forces. Now it has been shown that ammonia molecules instead exhibit suppressed dipolar interactions in the cold regime as the dipole moment effectively switches off, as shown by local maxima in the collision cross-sections.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Retention and biosynthesis of diverse nitroarenes in Escherichia coli after combinatorial nitroreductase gene deletions #chemsky

dlvr.itRetention and biosynthesis of diverse nitroarenes in Escherichia coli after combinatorial nitroreductase gene deletionsNature Chemistry, Published online: 07 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02266-8Nitroarenes are unstable in microbial cultures, limiting the biomanufacturing of these industrially and pharmaceutically important chemicals. Genome engineering of nitroreductase-deficient E. coli strains has now been shown to improve nitroarene retention during fermentation, expanding access to nitro functional group chemistry in whole-cell biocatalysis, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

A precursor-degassing approach for accessing boron allotropes #chemsky

dlvr.itA precursor-degassing approach for accessing boron allotropesNature Chemistry, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02281-9The synthesis of a boron allotrope that combines mechanical flexibility and high electrical conductivity is challenging. Now, an open-framework boron allotrope — Imma-B60 — is realized through a precursor-mediated degassing approach. Imma-B60 exhibits a narrow bandgap, high electrical conductivity and plasticity, expanding the potential application of boron beyond superhard and semiconducting phases.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

The radical-radical cross-coupling of alkyl carboxylic acids and organoborons #chemsky

dlvr.itThe radical-radical cross-coupling of alkyl carboxylic acids and organoboronsNature Chemistry, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02237-zCarboxylic acids and boronic acids are abundant feedstocks, yet their direct radical cross-coupling remains challenging due to uncontrolled radical reactivity. Now it has been shown that redox-matched alternating-polarity electrolysis enables their coupling, providing a general platform for C(sp3)–C(sp3) bond formation through synchronized radical generation and controlled radical recombination.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

A crystalline uranium Fischer-type carbyne #chemsky

dlvr.itA crystalline uranium Fischer-type carbyneNature Chemistry, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02260-0Transition metal Fischer carbynes are a foundational class of organometallic complex, but isolating f-element analogues is challenging. Now a uranium Fischer-type carbyne complex that exhibits a σ2π1π1 triple-bond interaction has been synthesized, expanding the known bonding modes of diazomethanediides and paving the way for f-element carbyne chemistry.

Nature Chemistry reposted

Chemistry World
@chemistryworld.com

Athina Anastasaki & ETH Zurich colleagues have developed what they say is the first low temperature chemical recycling of acrylic, taking place below 200°C & requiring no solvents or light irradiation, boosting the possibility of commercial scale-up. #ChemSky www.chemistryworld.com/news/hats-of...

chemistryworld.comHats off for new, lower temperature route to unzip plexiglass for recyclingHydrogen atom transfer agents key to solvent-free method to produce pristine monomers from old acrylic
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Linking vibrational energetics to carbon isotope separation in CO2 electrolysis #chemsky

dlvr.itLinking vibrational energetics to carbon isotope separation in CO2 electrolysisNature Chemistry, Published online: 29 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02262-yElectrochemical isotope separation offers an alternative to conventional energy-intensive separation processes, but the mechanism underpinning 13C enrichment is unclear. Now, a relationship is established between catalyst design and isotopologue enrichment in CO2 electrolysis, in a step towards a predictive and scalable strategy for carbon-isotope separation.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Molecular engineering stabilizes the commensurate charge density wave state in 1T-TaS2/arginine hybrid superlattices #chemsky

dlvr.itMolecular engineering stabilizes the commensurate charge density wave state in 1T-TaS2/arginine hybrid superlatticesNature Chemistry, Published online: 29 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02241-3Manipulating and stabilizing correlated quantum states in 1T-TaS2 remain key challenges. Now it has been shown that the commensurate charge density wave stability temperature can be elevated to 330 K via arginine intercalation, establishing a chemically tunable hybrid-superlattice strategy for tailoring correlated states and electronic orders in van der Waals materials.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Deep reduction in electrosynthesis #chemsky

dlvr.itDeep reduction in electrosynthesisNature Chemistry, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02249-9Deep electrochemical reduction offers a safe and sustainable route to reduction potentials beyond the reach of many conventional reagents. In this Review, the authors detail how these conditions can enable new reactivity and transformations, and strategies to mitigate the challenges of extreme reducing environments.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Unmasking phenylalanine interactions through bioorthogonal decaging #chemsky

dlvr.itUnmasking phenylalanine interactions through bioorthogonal decagingNature Chemistry, Published online: 25 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02277-5Phenylalanine has a hydrocarbon side chain that is difficult to chemically modulate. Now, a bioorthogonal strategy is developed in which this side chain is caged with iodine and selectively decaged by a palladium species. This approach enables on-demand control of hydrophobic and π interactions in cells and at the cell surface.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Catalyst-directed vibrational frequency disparity for isotopologue sieving in CO2 electrolysis #chemsky

dlvr.itCatalyst-directed vibrational frequency disparity for isotopologue sieving in CO2 electrolysisNature Chemistry, Published online: 25 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02257-9Electrochemical isotope separation offers continuous and mild 13C enrichment but the role of catalysts in the chemical mechanism remains elusive. Now, it has been shown that catalyst-directed vibrational-frequency disparities can impact isotope enrichment capabilities, establishing a predictive design principle for scalable enrichment that achieves 14% 13CO2 output from natural-abundance CO2.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Programming semiconducting two-dimensional conjugated metal–organic frameworks via anisotropic reticular chemistry #chemsky

dlvr.itProgramming semiconducting two-dimensional conjugated metal–organic frameworks via anisotropic reticular chemistryNature Chemistry, Published online: 24 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02251-1Simultaneously controlling the topology and bimetallic node arrangement in conductive two-dimensional conjugated metal–organic frameworks obtained from a single ligand is challenging. Now a strategy based on a low-symmetry ligand enables site-selective and sequential coordination, yielding seven single-crystalline frameworks with distinct architectures and charge transport properties.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Breaking N-alkyl aziridines for cross-coupling reactions #chemsky

dlvr.itBreaking N-alkyl aziridines for cross-coupling reactionsNature Chemistry, Published online: 23 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02246-yN-Alkyl aziridines have long resisted catalytic ring opening and existing strategies rely on electron-withdrawing N-activating groups. Now, simple borane coordination is shown to direct radical fragmentation of these substrates, providing a general platform for divergent ring-opening functionalization that streamlines access to β-functionalized amines.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

An open-framework boron allotrope exhibiting high conductivity and plasticity #chemsky

dlvr.itAn open-framework boron allotrope exhibiting high conductivity and plasticityNature Chemistry, Published online: 23 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02267-7Accessing metastable boron allotropes beyond those attainable through conventional thermodynamic routes is a central challenge in boron chemistry. Now, an allotrope featuring an open-framework architecture comprising B12 icosahedra interconnected by triangular B3 units has been synthesized through high-pressure formation of a Na4B60 precursor followed by sodium degassing. This allotrope exhibits both high electrical conductivity and plastic deformability.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Divergent ring opening and functionalization of N-alkyl aziridines via boryl radical fragmentation #chemsky

dlvr.itDivergent ring opening and functionalization of N-alkyl aziridines via boryl radical fragmentationNature Chemistry, Published online: 23 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02247-xAziridine ring opening is a powerful strategy for molecular diversification, but direct functionalization of unactivated N-alkyl aziridines has remained a long-standing challenge. Now it has been shown that aziridine-ligated boryl radicals enable direct ring opening and divergent functionalization of N-alkyl aziridines, providing streamlined access to diverse β-functionalized amines.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Sterically gated Lewis acid and base pairs enable orthogonal defect passivation in perovskite solar cells #chemsky

dlvr.itSterically gated Lewis acid and base pairs enable orthogonal defect passivation in perovskite solar cellsNature Chemistry, Published online: 23 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02261-zCharged point defects cause efficiency loss and instability in perovskite solar cells. Although Lewis acids and bases individually passivate oppositely charged defects, they typically react with one another. Now bulky phosphine bases and fluorinated aromatic acids have been shown to enable concurrent defect passivation and power conversion efficiencies up to 27.4%.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Temperature and reproducibility in photocatalysis #chemsky

dlvr.itTemperature and reproducibility in photocatalysisNature Chemistry, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02244-0In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of reactions using photoredox catalysis. However, the ability to reproduce these reactions varies wildly, owing to key factors such as light source, temperature control and the use of co-catalysts not being clearly defined and reported.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Secondary-sphere hydrogen bonding promotes catalytic nitrate reduction at iron #chemsky

dlvr.itSecondary-sphere hydrogen bonding promotes catalytic nitrate reduction at ironNature Chemistry, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02235-1Nitrate is a notoriously difficult substrate for molecular catalysts because of its weak metal-binding affinity and strong N–O bonds. Now, a network of secondary-sphere hydrogen-bonding interactions within an iron coordination complex has been shown to enhance nitrate binding and activation, promoting its catalytic reduction to nitric oxide and ammonia.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Weaving two-dimensional peptide crystals #chemsky

dlvr.itWeaving two-dimensional peptide crystalsNature Chemistry, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02252-0Peptides can assemble into two-dimensional ultrathin materials with programmable structures and functions, but maintaining crystallinity and stability is challenging. Now, a metal-directed assembly strategy enables mechanical weaving of peptides to provide highly durable and modular two-dimensional peptide crystals with molecular-level precision.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Autonomous migration of a phosphate group along glycerol and inositol scaffolds driven by a phosphodiester reaction cycle #chemsky

dlvr.itAutonomous migration of a phosphate group along glycerol and inositol scaffolds driven by a phosphodiester reaction cycleNature Chemistry, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02240-4Small-molecule walkers that combine autonomy with kinetic asymmetry have remained elusive. Now, simple phosphoric acid esters are shown to drive a non-enzymatic reaction cycle that autonomously migrates a phosphate group along five hydroxy footholds, expanding the scope of synthetic molecular machinery.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Forging ammonia with iron and light from water and nitrogen #chemsky

dlvr.itForging ammonia with iron and light from water and nitrogenNature Chemistry, Published online: 17 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02253-zNitrogen fixation is a challenging, energy-intensive process. Now, iron salts and a molybdenum catalyst have been shown to drive the photosynthetic reduction of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia using water as the terminal electron donor, suggesting a promising new pathway for one of the most important chemical reactions.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

F-centre charge state and dynamism govern oxide electrocatalytic selectivity #chemsky

dlvr.itF-centre charge state and dynamism govern oxide electrocatalytic selectivityNature Chemistry, Published online: 17 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02256-wThe charge state of oxygen vacancies, manifested as distinct F centres, remains an underexplored descriptor for electrocatalytic pathway modulation. Now it has been shown that different F centres in ZrO2 regulate oxygen reduction via unique electronic behaviours, establishing F-centre identity as a key indicator for electrocatalytic selectivity.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Nanoscale visualization of plasmon-enhanced hydrogen activation on a Pt(111) surface #chemsky

dlvr.itNanoscale visualization of plasmon-enhanced hydrogen activation on a Pt(111) surfaceNature Chemistry, Published online: 10 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02245-zVisualizing plasmon-enhanced H2 activation and propagation on catalytic surfaces remains challenging because conventional spectroscopies lack nanoscale resolution. Now it has been shown that tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy maps H2 activation within an Ag tip–Pt(111) nanocavity and reveals H atoms propagating hundreds of nanometres across Pt(111) through a collective crowd effect.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Ionic clusters as high-connectivity secondary building units for crystalline porous organic salts #chemsky

dlvr.itIonic clusters as high-connectivity secondary building units for crystalline porous organic saltsNature Chemistry, Published online: 08 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02248-wRigid coordination bonds readily generate highly connected secondary building units in metal–organic frameworks, but weaker and less directional interactions have rarely afforded comparable architectures in molecular crystals. Now ammonium halide ion pairs are shown to aggregate into discrete clusters that function as soft secondary building units, opening a route to non-metallic organic frameworks with diverse topologies.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Directed heterogeneous hydride transfer enables selective CO2 reduction using a Janus palladium membrane electrode #chemsky

dlvr.itDirected heterogeneous hydride transfer enables selective CO2 reduction using a Janus palladium membrane electrodeNature Chemistry, Published online: 07 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02243-1Electrochemical CO2 reduction is typically constrained by proton-coupled electron transfer, which couples CO2 conversion with competing H2 evolution. Now it has been shown that a Janus palladium membrane electrode enables selective formate production through heterogeneous hydride transfer, providing access to electrochemical hydride-based reactivity beyond proton-mediated electrocatalysis.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Lower-temperature bulk depolymerization of commercial polymethacrylates #chemsky

dlvr.itLower-temperature bulk depolymerization of commercial polymethacrylatesNature Chemistry, Published online: 02 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02232-4Chemical recycling of polymers has largely relied on thermally unstable tailor-made materials or highly diluted depolymerization conditions. Now, a bulk main-chain scission pathway enables the rapid, low-temperature depolymerization of polymethacrylates. This methodology can be applied to commercial polymers without the need for preinstalled end-groups or sacrificial co-monomers, allowing high-yield recovery of monomers.
Nature Chemistry
@natchem.nature.com

Palladium-triggered bioorthogonal phenylalanine decaging #chemsky

dlvr.itPalladium-triggered bioorthogonal phenylalanine decagingNature Chemistry, Published online: 02 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02226-2Chemically manipulating phenylalanine’s purely hydrocarbon side chain in living systems is challenging. Now this has been achieved through biocompatible, palladium-triggered decaging of iodine-caged phenylalanine. This enables on-demand control of live-cell hydrophobic interactions as well as π interactions, which spans from fluorophore activation and peptide disassembly to protein binding and tumour–immune cell recognition.