Topics in Current Chemistry最新文献

Spirooxindole compounds have attracted considerable research interest due to their distinctive structural features and remarkable biological properties. In recent years, a wide range of synthetic strategies has been developed to construct spirooxindoles, particularly those featuring a spiro-carbon Linked to diverse Heterocyclic or carbocyclic frameworks, further enhancing their importance. Given the breadth of these synthetic approaches, a comprehensive review is crucial to providing a systematic overview of the field and facilitate access to various methodologies. This review provides a thorough analysis of current developments in spirooxindole synthesis, covering research published from 2020 to 2024. The classification is organized into four main sections based on the size of the ring attached to the spiro-carbon: three-membered, five-membered, six-membered, and seven-membered rings. These rings may be carbocyclic or may contain one or two heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur, further influencing the diversity of synthetic strategies and the properties of the resulting spirooxindoles.

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The present energy-intensive and feedstock-dependent Haber–Bosch (H–B) process is being replaced with an electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (E-NRR) to produce ammonia (NH₃), powered by renewable electricity. The main obstacles to the NRR are the integral inertness of the N₂ molecule and competition from the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Although transition metal-based electrocatalysts can overcome the kinetic restriction of N≡N activation via the back-donation method, the d-orbital electrons of transition metal atoms promote the creation of a metal–H bond, which increases the undesired HER. The electrocatalytic NRR activity has increased in recent years owing to carbon-based materials with easily tunable electrical structures. As a result, it is essential to evaluate the latest advances in theoretical and experimental aspects of carbon-based catalysts (CBCs) for NRR. This review focuses on the use of various CBCs and the modifications done to them for their effective use in the E-NRR, providing a comprehensive understanding of the use of CBCs for the E-NRR and aids further research in the field with the aim of making the E-NRR more efficient.

Aziridines, structurally related to epoxides, are among the most challenging and fascinating heterocycles in organic chemistry due to their increasing applications in asymmetric synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and materials science. These three-membered nitrogen-containing rings serve as key intermediates in the synthesis of chiral amines, complex molecules, and pharmaceutically relevant compounds. This review provides an overview of recent progress in catalytic asymmetric aziridination, focusing on novel methodologies, an analysis of the scope and limitations of each approach, and mechanistic insights.

Controlling the size of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been critical in diagnostics, biomolecular sensing, targeted therapy, wastewater treatment, catalysis, and sensing applications. Ultrasmall AuNPs (uAuNPs), with sizes Ranging from 2 to 5 nm, and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), with sizes less than 2 nm, are often dealt with interchangeably in the literature, making it challenging to review them separately. Although they are grouped in our discussion, their chemical and physical properties differ significantly, partly due to their electronic properties. The distinct optoelectronic properties of uAuNPs and AuNCs are usually not observed in gold metal and nanoparticles of larger sizes. Since small AuNPs tend to aggregate, several routes have been developed to prevent the formation of larger sizes, such as nucleation within porous materials. Controlling the particle size using synthesis methods is challenging, and uAuNPs and AuNCs can be fabricated simultaneously in the same preparation, necessitating separation and additional laboratory efforts. AuNCs can be stabilized by the prevalent soft ligands, such as phosphine and thiolate, unlike uAuNPs, in which a wide range of ligand sets can be used for stabilization. This review is organized around core sections concerning the synthesis, medical and environmental applications, and calculation studies of uAuNPs. It remains valuable to address the current stimulating market growth and potential market constraints when reviewing the expanding applications of AuNPs in the healthcare sector. A significant proportion of the synthesis processes involve the fabrication of uAuNPs and AuNCs in aqueous solutions. An obvious advantage of this work is that we focus on the medical and environmental applications, which often require water-dispersible nanoparticles. Calculation investigations explain the structural dynamics and importance of fine-tuning the size of uAuNPs to impart distinct properties. A notable control in the HOMO–LUMO energy gap, associated with the number of gold atoms, significantly affects their performance in various applications.

To address the global climate challenge, carbon emissions reduction and carbon neutrality have emerged as pivotal goals for the international community. Copper-based metal–organic framework (Cu-MOF) derivatives exhibit unique advantages in electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) applications due to their controllable pore structure, abundant active sites, and efficient charge transport. Nevertheless, the structure–activity correlation mechanisms and performance enhancement methodologies of Cu-MOF derivatives have not yet been comprehensively elucidated in existing literature. This review systematically summarizes the recent advancements in Cu-MOF derivatives for electrocatalytic CO₂RR, focusing on preparation technologies such as the pyrolysis method, electrochemical in situ reconstruction method, and other methods. Subsequently, we investigated the enhancement mechanism of the reactivity of electrocatalysts by discussing multidimensional aspects, which include structural design, metal composition adjustment, ligand engineering, and composite structure construction. Finally, the critical challenges and future research directions of Cu-MOF derivatives for electrocatalytic CO₂RR are prospectively discussed, which aims to provide theoretical references for the design methods and modification strategies of Cu-MOF derivatives.

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This manuscript highlights the application of copper-based metal–organic framework (Cu-MOF) derivatives in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). We specifically carry out the following three key aspects: synthesis methods of Cu-MOF derivatives, modification strategies, and prospects. It aims to propose rational synthesis methods and modification strategies for the preparation of Cu-MOF-derived electrocatalysts with superior CO₂RR performance.

In recent years, nano-piezoelectric materials have demonstrated revolutionary potential in catalytic applications owing to their unique electromechanical coupling effects and mechanical-to-chemical energy conversion capabilities. Research focus has shifted from performance optimization of single materials to designing multi-scale band engineering and multi-field coupling mechanisms aimed at enhancing catalytic efficiency. The development of novel nano-piezoelectric cleaning materials has become a research hotspot, with various nontraditional piezoelectric materials being extended into organic degradation, biomedicine, and environmental remediation applications, accelerating the transition of piezocatalysis from laboratory research to practical implementation. This review summarizes recent advancements in piezoelectric nanomaterials for catalysis; briefly introduces the fundamental principles of piezocatalytic technology; highlights applications in organic matter degradation, antibacterial treatment, and heavy metal reduction; and concludes with discussions on current challenges and future development prospects. The article provides valuable references for both research and practical applications of nano-piezoelectric materials in piezocatalysis.

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In organic synthesis, named reactions are fundamental chemical conversions that fabricate invaluable molecules of high importance. Hence, a deep understanding of these vital reactions is a prerequisite from the organic chemistry point of view. Basically, the names of these chemical reactions are used as short forms to make it easier to talk or write in the realm of synthetic organic chemistry. Moreover, these vital chemical reactions are the background for understanding the fundamentals of organic chemistry and are robust chemical tools that attain intricacy in molecular architectures, which are otherwise daunting tasks or sometimes impossible to achieve. Therefore, keeping the importance of the organic named reactions in mind, herein, we have comprehensively detailed all literature reporting 50 named reactions taking place in deep eutectic solvents (DESs)—the eco-friendly reaction media. The authors are of the opinion that this systematic collection of such important reactions carried out under green reaction conditions will add value not only to organic syntheses but will also open new opportunities that expand the chemical space for other crucial reactions. Moreover, we believe that these all-in-one named reaction assortments will be very useful to undergraduate as well as postgraduate students, and obviously for Ph.D. scholars and the synthetic chemistry research community in general.

Phytosphingosine, a type of sphingolipids, has gained significant attention due to their diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties. These bioactive lipids, predominantly found in plant sources, play crucial roles in cellular signaling and membrane structure. In recent years, the chemical synthesis of phytosphingosine and other sphingolipids have become a major focus in organic chemistry due to the increasing demand for these molecules in pharmacological research and drug development. The synthesis of sphingosine has been extensively reported and is relatively straightforward to implement. However, the synthesis of phytosphingosine is more complex due to the presence of additional chiral centers, leading to a greater diversity of synthetic methods. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in synthetic methodologies for phytosphingosine and its analogs, including asymmetric synthesis and total synthesis using chiral auxiliaries and catalysts. By summarizing recent chemical synthesis advancements, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in the biological activities and synthetic aspects of phytosphingosine and other sphingolipids.

Bio-metal-organic frameworks (bio-MOFs) have emerged as a revolutionary group of hybrid materials distinguished by their exceptional biocompatibility, programmable biodegradability, and host–guest molecular recognition capabilities. This review systematically examines recent advancements in bio-MOF engineering, with particular focus on the innovative synthesis strategies and the structure–property relationships arising from their tunable pore architectures and surface functionalities. The mechanistic foundations of bio-MOFs in targeted drug delivery systems, contrast-enhanced bioimaging, and multifunctional therapeutic interventions combining anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions are discussed in detail. Finally, in terms of future perspectives, we discuss emerging opportunities in other delivery systems, personalized medicine platforms, and sustainable environmental applications, underscoring the necessity for cross-disciplinary collaboration between materials science and molecular biology to unlock the full potential of these biohybrid systems.

Gases are integral to Earth’s climate and ecosystem balance, but human activity has significantly altered atmospheric composition by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2025, carbon dioxide emissions were estimated at around 39–41 billion tons, reflecting a continued increase. Emissions of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide were expected to remain close to 2.5 billion tons, 100 million tons, and 25 million metric tons, respectively. Hydrogen sulfide emissions decreased to 15 million tons compared with the previous year. These numbers underscore the challenge of addressing human-induced climate changes. Sorbents, particularly metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), have been used in literature for their gas sorption applications. Over the past decade, modified frameworks have been explored for their potential in gas sorption by combining the advantages of the different materials involved. The properties of these frameworks can be tailored by using various functional groups, metal ions, and polymer matrices. The structures of MOFs and COFs, their synthesis methods, and gas sorption applications are discussed. In addition, the applications of modified MOFs and COFs in gas sorption and separation (CO₂ sorption from flue gas, hydrocarbon separation, separation of hydrocarbons, and iodine capture from nuclear waste), detection (NO₂ sensing), and reduction (SO₂ to reduced sulfur components) are discussed. It also explores the emerging aspects of enhancing gas sensing and capturing abilities of MOFs and COFs, analyzing their performance under different conditions of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity. The study addresses the challenges faced by existing frameworks and suggests directions for developing better materials.

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