Silicon-based ‘ladder molecules’ take a step up in complexity
New compounds are ‘among the most complex organosilanes ever synthesised’
Lichen sunscreen blocks extreme UV radiation and might enhance cosmetics, materials
Discovery also suggests that photosynthetic life might survive on planets circling powerful stars
Microwaves make sustainable sticky adhesive easy to recycle
Light polymerises disulfide groups to create a transparent, robust and recyclable glue
Seventy-year search for simpler route to valuable reactive intermediate ends
Ortho-quinodimethane made under mild conditions from common reagents
DNA barcodes can make drug discovery screens miss potential medicines
Lanthanide–carbon triple bond synthesised and characterised
Recasting the role of oxidants in methane pyrolysis
‘Microlightning’ released by peeling tape can drive chemical reactions
Bacterium engineered to produce paracetamol from plastic bottle waste
Centrosymmetric crystal displays chiral optical responses previously believed to be impossible
Highlights
Carbon in an ice world
Antarctica may seem pristine and almost devoid of life, but there’s plenty of chemistry going on. Victoria Atkinson explains what it can tell us about the climate and pollution across the globe
The young female astronomer who worked out what the sun is made of
100 years ago, Cecilia Payne deduced that the sun is mainly made of hydrogen – but was encouraged to downplay her findings by her PhD supervisor. Mike Sutton takes up the story
Hibernation awakens interest for drug discovery
With many different species entering torpor for a variety of reasons, scientists are looking to their sleepy secrets for ways to treat human diseases. Anthony King reports
How decarbonisation will help the UK’s last refineries survive
Carbon capture and low-carbon hydrogen are central to any possibility of supplying liquid fuels compatible with net zero, reports Andy Extance
Fixing medicine’s gender gap
For centuries, the default subject in medicine research and training has been the male. Julia Robinson talks to the scientists and clinicians trying to improve things for the other 51% of humanity
Topics
Unprecedented pentacoordinate oxygen cluster isn’t so new after all
Scientists design a star-shaped dianion only to discover it had probably been synthesised nearly two decades ago
An overlooked bonding motif appears in many more proteins than was previously realised
Covalent nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur linkages could be a new target for potential drugs
Fluorine surprises by becoming heaviest atom ever to quantum tunnel
First experimental evidence of tunnelling in fluorine pushes the boundary of our understanding of chemical bonding
Strain can unlock electron-donating orbital in tetravalent carbon atoms
Bridging the gap between Hammett parameters and the electronic structure of aromatic systems
AI predicts transition states with exceptional precision
Accelerating chemical discovery through high-throughput experimentation: in conversation with Matthew Gaunt
Amino acid sequences used to predict enzyme stereoselectivity
Portable device detects poisonous pigment in books
St Andrews librarians and physicists partner to create sensor that can detect the spectrum of toxic green colourant
Ancient Vesuvius victim’s brain contains first natural organic glass ever seen
Extreme heating followed by rapid cooling formed unique material in a Herculaneum man
This nanotechnology expert works with both plant and brain cells
Could Markita Landry’s research group be any more interdisciplinary?
Working towards an Australian First Nations periodic table
Zahra Khan finds out how a team of scholars is working with the Gadigal to develop a chart that celebrates Indigenous knowledge of the chemical elements
US charity launches $100 million green chemistry initiative
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to fund seven year project headed by sustainable chemistry pioneer Paul Anastas
Pitfalls in cytotoxicity studies could be tripping up chemists
Team proposes how to broaden and standardise biological testing in sustainable chemical research
Light-driven catalytic system makes ammonia from nitrogen and water
Dual catalyst system operates under ambient conditions, offering a way to reduce ammonia production’s environmental impact
Chemists urged to build a greener future by Stockholm declaration document
‘Father of green chemistry’ Paul Anastas among those spearheading call to action
Filter paper simplifies squaramide synthesis
Capillary-driven flow distributes reagents evenly
Seed oil-based polymer should survive a day in the rain but degrade within years in the sea
Researchers create polyesteramides from brassylic acid and explore their potential as a replacement for polyethylene
Researcher severely injured in 2016 Hawaii lab explosion receives £5 million settlement
Thea Ekins-Coward lost an arm in an experiment with unsafe apparatus
Wellcome backing gets project to recreate human genome from scratch off the ground
Effort to synthesise human genome will likely take decades but should provide insight into disease
Major Israeli research institute loses around 45 labs to Iranian missile strike
Weizmann Institute of Science researchers estimate that repairs will cost at least £370m
‘Deeply concerned’: Are chemistry departments across the US at real risk of closure?
Chemistry chairs warn that they face the same problems afflicting the UK with the Trump administration adding to their woes
If the UK wants growth fuelled by R&D, universities need relief now
The spending review has left universities struggling with deficits with few options but to hope for good news