Organic chemistry
The latest chemistry news and research on organic chemistry, including synthesis, natural products and total synthesis, reaction mechanisms and supramolecular chemistry, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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ResearchUnruly [1,2]-Wittig reaction tamed to produce products with precise stereochemistry
Stubborn rule-breaker becomes a model reaction by sidestepping radical reaction mechanism altogether
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FeatureUnravelling the chemistry behind the sea’s bioluminescent sparkle
Researchers are piecing together the unusual chemical reactions that enable dinoflagellates to create spectacular light displays in tropical bays. But the mechanism behind their bioluminescence remains one of nature’s most puzzling chemical mysteries
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WebinarHigh‑throughput retrosynthesis for real‑world chemistry
Join us on 24 March to discover how retrosynthesis software, paired with application programming interfaces, can accelerate route design, virtual screening and practical synthesis decisions
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Opinion(+)-Melicolone K
Sequential C–H activations open up the opportunity for an unusual transformation
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OpinionHow bird photography made me a better chemist
Payal Joshi draws inspiration for organic mechanisms from graceful avian poses
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Research‘Almost impossible to destroy’: material captures CO2 and frees it at the flick of a photoswitch
New class of porous materials can trap gases and release them on command
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ResearchEmbodying polymer chemistry with a purpose by upcycling plastics and trapping PFAS
For Frank Leibfarth, focussing on reactivity and selectivity helps him bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research
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ResearchMapping tool delivers quantitative visualisations of steric interactions
Technique uncovers subtle interactions that previous methods have missed
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ResearchAmino acids weave organic molecules into chiral knots
Rare chiral Solomon links formed in single step
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OpinionIs it cold in here?
Labs in Delhi, Aberdeen and Arizona will have different ideas of ‘room temperature’
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ResearchThree nitrile molecules identified as fresh targets for life-hunting astronomers
Experiments at interstellar temperatures yield new chemical clues to the molecules that seed biology
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PodcastBench-stable butyllithium & secrets of Pompeii’s limescale
In this episode, we discuss the latest formulations designed to make a set of fiery reagents safer, explore what limescale can tell us about ancient civilizations and hear the latest headlines.
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BusinessNew reagents take the burn out of butyllithium
Merck KGaA’s non-pyrophoric butyllithium in poly(α-olefin) oil make BuLi stable to air and water
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ResearchNew material demonstrates ionic conductivity across three states
‘State-independent’ ionic conductivity could create safer solid-state batteries and faster electronics
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PodcastHalogen-bond catalysis & the future of total synthesis
In this inaugural podcast episode, we explore the future of a 200-year old field of chemistry, investigate an up-and-coming form of catalysis and hear the latest headlines
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ResearchBall-milled sodium provides easy access to organometallic reagent
Solvent-free organosodium is a promising alternative to lithium reagents
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ResearchHow chemists are harnessing halogen bonds for asymmetric synthesis
Chiral control through halogen bonding could be the next frontier for organocatalysis
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FeatureThe future of total synthesis
From structure confirmation to methodology improvements, making complex natural products has driven innovation in organic synthesis for decades. Nina Notman looks at its current state, with threats from funding to academic pressures
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ResearchSupramolecular gels improve performance of aircraft deicing fluids
Made using low-cost reagents, the gels could be more sustainable than current anti-icing products
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ResearchAI continues to make waves and structural editing impresses in 2025
The research that has amazed and amused us this year