Chemistry news, research and analysis

In brief

20 June 2018

AI teaches itself to identify materials – and predict new ones too
22 June 2018
Neural network trained up on 50,000 crystal structures shows promise rapidly navigating chemical element combinations
Four step route to carbotricycles
21 June 2018
Elegant strategy that directly assembles 5–8–5 scaffolds from simple precursors paves way to a new library of bioactive compounds
Laser spectroscopy offers first glimpse at nobelium nuclei
20 June 2018
Adapted technique offers experimental insights to theorists studying superheavy elements
Drastically different mechanical properties from the same compound
19 June 2018
4-bromophenyl 4-bromobenzoate can be plastic, elastic or brittle
Confined reaction speeds up water formation
18 June 2018
Trapping hydrogen and oxygen on a catalytic surface lowers the activation energy of the reaction between them
Errors in continuum solvent models unravelled at last
18 June 2018
Study reveals when, and how, continuum solvent methods fail in computational studies of solvent-phase reaction mechanisms and provide an alternative solvent modelling strategy

Sarah Houlton charts the evolution, challenges and opportunities of cell and gene therapy

Ube’s management pays for lax quality checks
18 June 2018
Japanese chemical maker announces that ‘quality-related improprieties’ were detected in 24 of its products, including low-density polyethylene
Bayer–Monsanto merger momentum
31 May 2018
US antitrust regulators approve Bayer’s $66bn takeover of Monsanto, conditional on the company offloading $9bn in assets
US chemical safety agency wants Arkema disaster to spark real change
25 May 2018
Industry guidance is needed to help hazardous chemical facilities better prepare for extreme weather events like flooding, the CSB warns
US sanctions threaten Iran–Europe petrochemical ties
24 May 2018
Companies review their options after Trump administration’s withdrawal from nuclear deal