Hugh Ryan
I joined the Royal Society of Chemistry as a publishing editor in September 2022 after finishing my PhD and a postdoctoral position at the University of Cambridge, UK. My research focused on the application of metal–organic coordination cages to solid, liquid and gel phases for chemical separations. I’ve always enjoyed discussing and exploring new science, sometimes to the dismay of my family and friends, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to write for Chemistry World alongside my editorial role.
Outside of the office, I enjoy cooking, ballroom dancing, video games, playing piano and embroiling myself in Dungeons & Dragons shenanigans.
ResearchTime to stop mentioning alkyl group inductive effects
New computational evidence reiterates that alkyl groups are inductively electron-withdrawing and that hyperconjugation dominates
ResearchHydrogen dimers finally detected at room temperature
Researchers revisit spectrum of fragile dimer with high-sensitivity spectroscopy
ResearchPlastic recycling studies need reliable polymer data. This database is ready to inform them
Database set to support recycling research by detailing the chemical composition and physical properties of 59 polymers from common commercial vendors
ResearchCollective bonding continues to divide opinion
New research supports counterintuitive explanation, but debate is far from settled
ResearchElectrophilic aromatic bromination study casts doubt on textbook intermediate
New computational evidence that electrophilic aromatic bromination actually occurs via an addition–elimination mechanism
ResearchAcidic proton transfer inhibited on gas-phase ice nanoparticles
Fundamental findings about nitric acid dissociation will feed into atmospheric research on ozone depletion
ResearchNanocapsule seamed by calcium ions boasts huge internal volume
Giant metal–organic capsule assembles from C-ethylpyrogallol[4]arene and calcium ions
ResearchIncrease in aromaticity drives metallaaromatic ring contraction
Acid-promoted ring contraction reaction reshapes an osmaindenol into an osmapentalene
ResearchMolecular twist enhances stability of biphenyls
Study suggests that decaphenylbiphenyl is not a high-energy molecule, despite being crowded and seemingly strained
ResearchWater works as medium for reactions that reduce carboxylic acids
Catalytic system works on a wide range of acid substrates and doesn’t require precious metals or air and moisture intolerant reagents
ResearchFirst synthesis of 1-azahomocubane shows nitrogen can take the strain
Chemists overcome synthetic challenges to finally incorporate a nitrogen atom into the homocubane skeleton