All Chemistry World articles in May 2020
View all stories from this issue.
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ResearchIron rain every evening on ultra-hot giant exoplanet
Spectral data shows iron condensing on planet’s nightside
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ResearchCeramic could help slash lithium extraction costs by as much as 80%
New technology removes need for high temperatures and toxic reagents
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ResearchAutomated radial synthesis could usher in era of chemistry ‘server farms’
System to streamline small molecule production could bring state-of-the-art chemistry to many more teams
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ResearchStructure-based AI tool can predict wide range of very different reactions
Molecular properties, enantioselectivities, yields and relative conversion can all be modelled by the same program
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![An image showing a [2]catenane](https://d2cbg94ubxgsnp.cloudfront.net/Pictures/100x67/0/0/4/504004_fja0c01757_0007.jpeg_49119.jpg)
ResearchMechanical protecting group shields molecules from stress and strain
Catenane makes force-activated molecules more resistant mechanical bond breaking
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ResearchEngineered neurons synthesise their own conductive polymer coating
Cell-specific electric stimulation could help be used with bioelectronic prostheses or treat diseases like epilepsy
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ResearchCounterintuitive catalyst gives purer products when used in less enantiopure form
Unusual example of ‘hyperpositive’ nonlinear effect is a first for asymmetric catalysis
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NewsOrganisations mobilise to fight Covid-19
‘War effort’ seeks to provide hand sanitiser, protective equipment, ventilators and tests
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ResearchUniversal blood for transfusion could be created by hydrogel ‘camouflage’
Antigen-shield can prevent serious immune response to incompatible blood group
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ResearchWhiskey webs could snare counterfeiters
Unique patterns formed by whiskey residues could aid investigations into imitation liquors
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ResearchNew type of bond is the first to defy actinide contraction trend
Bonds discovered in metallacycles are unique to the 5f elements
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ResearchChemical stimulus used to trigger synthetic cell division
Mother vesicle that divides into two smaller daughter vesicles could be a plausible model of primitive cells
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ResearchFirst ever observation of a neon-containing anion
Showing that a superelectrophilic anion can bind the noble gas crosses hurdle on path to making a stable neon compound
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BusinessCan existing drugs slow Covid-19?
The fastest route to treatments may be to repurpose existing drugs – if they work
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ResearchDNA instructions pack proteins into unique crystal structures
Process could aid discovery of materials that exploit specific protein functions, such as drug molecules or biocatalysts
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ResearchMystery of where early Earth’s life-fuelling phosphates came from may have been solved
Meteorites have been source of building blocks for primordial life
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ResearchMechanochemistry drops the ball in MOF synthesis
Acoustic mixing proven as a simple, quick and readily scalable process for making MOFs with varying levels of complexity
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ResearchHydrogen bonds are single atom nickel’s secret for carbon dioxide reduction
Computational calculations show that hydrogen atoms and charge capacity are behind nickel’s high activity and selectivity in electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction
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ResearchCatalytic resonance theory poised to tackle industry’s selectivity issues
Breaking the Sabatier limit central to unconventional approach for optimising reactions
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OpinionVaccine development against the clock
How long will it take to develop a coronavirus vaccine and why is it so hard?