A universal chemical presodiation strategy using Na-Bpy/DEE is proposed for Na-deficient oxide cathodes under air condition, which promotes formation of uniform and robust NaF-rich interface during presodiation. This minimizes stress accumulation and structure distortion upon Na+ intercalation/extraction to exhibit high-capacity retention.

[Research Article]
Fei Li, Yaohui Huang, Tong Zhang, Zihao Song, Xiangshuai Wei, Prof. Fujun Li
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202509342. Read article.

In this study, we demonstrate a light-mediated strategy for fabricating supramolecular polymers and copolymers. By tuning laser power, irradiation time, and wavelength, supramolecular structures can be precisely controlled. The spatial precision of laser irradiation further enables localized supramolecular polymerization and sol-gel transitions. These findings establish a dynamic platform for regulating supramolecular nanomaterials with tailored structures and functions.

[Research Article]
Yangge Ren, Juanjuan Gao, Tiantian Cai, Linyuan Liu, Hao Huang, Yujia Guo, Xinyu Hou, Yue Lu, Lin Jia
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202511365. Read article.

A unique type of Cu-based metallic perovskite oxides with asymmetric, corner-sharing CuO5 and CuO6 motifs were reported to promote asymmetric C─C coupling for efficient CO2-to-C2+ conversion. As a proof-of-concept catalyst, La0.8Ba0.2CuO3-δ was the most effective Cu-based-perovskite catalyst for C2+ production and performed comparably with or better than most reported Cu-based catalysts.

[Research Article]
Yu Zhang, Hongyan Zhao, Junjie Zhu, Zitao Chen, Xiangjian Liu, Zhenbao Zhang, Lei Shi, Xuezeng Tian, Heqing Jiang, Yongfa Zhu, Jiawei Zhu
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202511546. Read article.

A structural fingerprint optimization strategy is proposed for the 1[TMOF4]∞ chain-based compounds, aimed at modifying the geometric features of functional chains to maximize the optical nonlinearity. In the ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) crystal (H3O)(Biu)2(NbOF4), the structural fingerprints of the functional chains satisfy the ideal criteria, resulting in a record-breaking second harmonic generation (SHG) response (10.8 × KH2PO4) among all known transition metal (TM) oxyfluorides.

[Research Article]
Dr. Congcong Jin, Dr. Yang Li, Jin Seong Kim, Jong-Hoon Lim, Hongbo Huang, Dr. Chong-An Chen, Jihyun Lee, Yejin Heo, Bingbing Zhang, Prof. Joon Ik Jang, Prof. Kang Min Ok
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202512618. Read article.

The protein LmrR is a versatile scaffold to design artificial metalloenzymes. Here, we show that the M8D/A92E (DE) mutations that result in a much more efficient catalyst, destabilize the protein dimerization interface and alter the conformation landscape when binding metal cofactor and substrates are shown. These results highlight the intricate relations between protein, metal cofactor, and substrates in defining catalytic efficiency.

[Research Article]
Adil A. Safeer, Fabrizio Casilli, Wouter Beugelink, Gerard Roelfes, Marc Baldus, Hugo van Ingen
ChemBioChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202500259. Read article.

The built-in electric field in FeCo2O4/ZnCdS heterojunctions regulates the d-band center to optimize hydrogen adsorption energy. An S-scheme charge transfer mechanism achieves a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 9080 μmol g−1 h−1, surpassing noble-metal cocatalysts. Density functional theory and Kelvin probe force microscope studies confirm that interfacial electric field engineering enhances carrier separation and reaction kinetics, providing an efficient noble-metal-free strategy.

[Research Article]
Shuai Wang, Yihu Ke, Fei Jin, Youji Li, Zhiliang Jin
ChemSusChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500950. Read article.

Ground and excited-state redox potentials of a few axially chalcogenated phosphorus-corroles (XPC; XO, S, Se) are reliably obtained using the range-separated hybrid density functional theory in acetonitrile.

[Research Article]
Annette Mariya Tedy, Arun K. Manna
ChemPlusChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.202500137. Read article.

Backbone Thz moieties prevail in bioactive peptidic natural products and play important roles in their biological functions. Here, we report an in vitro selection platform for Thz-containing macrocyclic peptides, established through a posttranslational chemoenzymatic transformation. This study establishes a robust system to expedite ligand development in pseudo-natural peptide discovery.

[Research Article]
Akihiro Saito, Dr. Hiroyuki Kimura, Prof. & Dr. Hiroyasu Onaka, Prof. & Dr. Hiroaki Suga, Prof. & Dr. Yuki Goto
Chemistry ? A European Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202501355. Read article.

By introducing analogues of Trp in Ar/Trp cell-penetrating peptides, we investigated the role of this unique amino acid in the cell uptake and interaction with cell membrane partners using experimental and computational approaches.

[Research Article]
Dr. Sonia Khemaissa, Dr. Antonio Bauzá, Dr. Émilie Lesur, Françoise Illien, Dr. Sandrine Sagan, Prof. Antonio Frontera, Dr. Astrid Walrant
Chemistry ? A European Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202501138. Read article.

DESI is a novel lysine covalent warhead with moderate reactivity and hydrolytic stability, which can form a stable six-membered cyclic adduct with lysine. DESI-derived EGFR allosteric inhibitor 4 selectively modifies the catalytic lysine K745, thus potently inhibiting the activity of EGFRL858R/T790M/C797S kinase and corresponding engineered BaF3 cell proliferation as a single agent.

[Research Article]
Huiqi Xu, Hongjin Zhang, Suyun Jia, Yanxin Tao, Quanpeng Wei, Yingao Wang, Xuechen Liu, Yuqing Zhang, Xinpeng Ning, Yuyan Shi, Dr. Can Jin, Prof. Dr. Ke Ding, Prof. Dr. Dawei Ma, Dr. Shan Li, Dr. Mengyang Fan
Chemistry ? A European Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202501389. Read article.

Herein, a novel multicomponent aza-Prins strategy is presented to synthesize decorated piperidine-fused dihydroquinazolinones. A bifunctional aldehyde is reacted with a homoallylic amine in a one-pot cascade fashion to afford a highly reactive N-acyliminium ion. By the addition of various nucleophiles, 4-substituted piperidines can be obtained with high levels of diastereoselectivity.

[Research Article]
Lovisa Dybeck, Morgane Baudoin, Luke R. Odell
European Journal of Organic Chemistry, https://doi.org/10.1002/ejoc.202500368. Read article.

We describe the Fe-catalyzed double hydroboration of nitriles using HBpin as the terminal reductant. Mechanistic studies, both experimental and computational, reveal a unique and unreported mechanistic pathway for iron-catalyzed hydroboration where reductive elimination, rather than B─H bond activation is the rate- limiting step.

[Research Article]
Laura A. Grose, Yi Zhang, Samuel Oultram, Ryan J. Schwamm, Dr. Sam. P. de Visser, Dr. Darren Willcox
Chemistry ? A European Journal, https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202501782. Read article.

The invention of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revolutionizes nucleic acid analysis but remains lab bound due to cost and complexity. Advancements in point-of-care genetic testing offer fast, low-cost, and user-friendly alternatives. PCR-free methods are especially promising, simplifying detection. This text reviews innovative, portable genetic testing approaches suited for onsite, nonspecialist use.

[Perspective]
Sabrina Conoci
ChemistryEurope, https://doi.org/10.1002/ceur.202400117. Read article.

The oxidation of β-chlorohydrins is thermodynamically unfavourable. To solve this, different photocatalytic systems are explored under white light irradiation. Best results are achieved using 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone in stochiometric or catalytic loadings including tert-butyl nitrite/O2 as regeneration system. Thus, the synthesis of several α-haloketones is accomplished, which are employed as intermediates in multistep chemoenzymatic cascades.

[Research Article]
Sara Filgueira, Laura Rodríguez-Fernández, Iván Lavandera, Vicente Gotor-Fernández
ChemSusChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500683. Read article.

Managing synthetic polymer waste is a major challenge. While enzymatic polyamide (PA) hydrolysis holds great recycling potential, it is limited by ineffective polyamidases. The polyamidase NylCp2-TS is evolved through random mutagenesis and incremental docking, yielding NylC-HP with enhanced activity and stability. Molecular dynamics simulations gave insight into the effect of substitutions, advancing the understanding of enzymatic PA recycling.

[Research Article]
Hendrik Puetz, Alexander-Maurice Illig, Mariia Vorobii, Christoph Janknecht, Francisca Contreras, Fabian Flemig, Ulrich Schwaneberg
ChemSusChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500257. Read article.

There is no suitable radioligand for positron emission tomography imaging of CB2R overexpression for routine clinical usage. Herein, the synthesis, characterization, binding affinity, and docking studies of carborane-based halo-substituted naphthyridinone derivatives as CB2R ligands are presented. The meta-carborane derivatives are identified as the most affine CB2R ligands. Only small differences in selectivity to CB2R are observed for the iodo- and bromo-substituted meta-carborane derivatives.

[Research Article]
Lea Ueberham, Winnie Deuther-Conrad, Peter Lönnecke, Aleksandr Kazimir, Evamarie Hey-Hawkins
ChemMedChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202500251. Read article.

Morandi and team developed a metal-free method to insert nitrogen into unactivated alkenes, forming amidines and nitriles via a transient aza-allenium intermediate. Using mild, open-flask conditions, the process delivers high yields and broad functional group tolerance. This breakthrough expands nitrogen incorporation strategies beyond indole systems, enabling efficient late-stage functionalization of simple hydrocarbons.

[Highlight]
Ranjini Laskar, Frank Glorius
ChemistryEurope, https://doi.org/10.1002/ceur.202500160. Read article.

This study unveils a novel synthetic platform by solid-phase peptide synthesis for generating FUBI-based chemical tools to investigate FUBIylation, a poorly understood ubiquitin-like signaling process linked to cancer. By employing these innovative probes, we uncover novel FUBI interactors, paving the way for transformative insights into FUBI biology and its therapeutic potential.

[Research Article]
Francesca D’Amico, Cami M. P. Talavera Ormeño, Shivanganie Poeran, Jimmy Akkermans, Rayman T. N. Tjokrodirijo, Bharath Sampadi, Peter van Veelen, Aysegul Sapmaz, Monique P. C. Mulder
ChemBioChem, https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202500321. Read article.

A photoredox neutral sulfonylarylation of unactivated alkynes is achieved through a radical-mediated intramolecular 1,4-(hetero)aryl migration. The product configuration can be controlled under the irradiation of blue or green light. The method features mild, transition metal-free conditions, good compatibility of functional groups, and high levels of regio- and stereoselectivity in the product formation.

[Research Article]
Xu Zhang, Fushan Chen, Chen Zhu
ChemistryEurope, https://doi.org/10.1002/ceur.202500121. Read article.

The effects of amide and urea groups on the morphology, stability, and function of supramolecular NG aggregates are investigated. Amide-functionalized NG forms stacked aggregates, whereas urea-functionalized NG forms polymer networks, likely owing to the distinct strengths of the amide-amide and urea-urea NH/O hydrogen bonds.

[Research Article]
Haruka Moriguchi, Ryo Sekiya, Takeharu Haino
ChemistryEurope, https://doi.org/10.1002/ceur.202500015. Read article.