Core Viewpoint - The National Natural Science Foundation of China has announced the public disclosure of information related to the expert-recommended original exploration plan projects funded by the Chemistry Science Department for the year 2025 [2] Group 1 - The announcement is in accordance with the implementation plan requirements of the original exploration plan [2] - The information pertains specifically to projects recommended by experts within the Chemistry Science Department [2] - The public disclosure date is set for January 20, 2026 [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a novel pericyclic reaction called triatropic rearrangement, which allows for high selectivity in editing saturated carbon ring frameworks, providing new pathways for the precise editing of complex cyclopentane and natural product scaffolds [4][6]. Group 1 - The research was conducted by Associate Professor Dong Zhe and Assistant Professor Yu Peiyuan from Southern University of Science and Technology, and published in the prestigious journal Science [3]. - The triatropic rearrangement reaction simultaneously breaks three σ bonds and forms two σ bonds and one π bond in a single transition state, enabling stereoselective transformations of carbon-oxygen bonds in epoxides into carbon-carbon bonds [5]. - This strategy allows for highly selective carbon migration reactions in epoxidized cycloalkanes, generating cyclized products with high chemical, regio-, and stereoselectivity [5]. Group 2 - The triatropic rearrangement reaction can be modularly combined with classical reactions, offering a unique "[4+2–1]" strategy for constructing complex cyclopentanes [5][6]. - The research highlights the broad applicability and high stereocontrol of the triatropic rearrangement, making it a significant advancement in synthetic chemistry [4][6].

Core Insights - A collaborative research effort between Chinese and Dutch scientists has successfully synthesized a dynamic polymer with a distinct double-helix structure, inspired by the Shanghai Tower's architecture, marking a significant advancement in biomimetic smart materials [2][3]. Group 1: Research Background and Inspiration - The research was conducted by the Nobel Prize-winning scientist team at East China University of Science and Technology, inspired by the Shanghai Tower, which is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, completed in 2016 [3]. - The unique double-helix appearance of the Shanghai Tower not only provides aerodynamic stability but also resembles spiral structures found in biological systems, such as DNA and certain proteins [3]. Group 2: Polymer Characteristics and Functionality - The synthesized polymer exhibits dynamic behavior similar to natural proteins, capable of expanding and contracting with temperature changes, fully unwinding under specific conditions, and ultimately degrading into absorbable small molecules without residual risks [2][5]. - The polymer's structure is maintained through a combination of dynamic covalent bonds, particularly reversible disulfide bonds, and rigid amino acid backbones, allowing for both flexibility and stability [4][5]. Group 3: Potential Applications - This material shows promise for use in next-generation wearable or implantable medical devices due to its excellent mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, and complete degradability [5]. - Potential applications include flexible neural interfaces, targeted drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds, which can adapt to complex mechanical environments within the body and safely metabolize after fulfilling their purpose [5]. Group 4: Broader Implications in Nanotechnology - The research aligns with the broader mission of chemistry to bridge physical laws and biological phenomena, emphasizing the complexity that can arise from simple molecular building blocks [6]. - The development of molecular machines and nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize various fields, including precision medicine and environmental remediation, by enabling the construction of materials with specific functions at the molecular level [7][10].

Core Idea - The article highlights the innovative contributions of Barry Sharpless, a two-time Nobel Prize-winning chemist, particularly focusing on his philosophy of simplicity in chemistry, exemplified by his development of click chemistry, which has transformed the field by emphasizing functional molecular synthesis over complex structures [5][6]. Group 1: Background and Personal Journey - Barry Sharpless's early experiences as a child fishing in New Jersey shaped his curiosity and passion for discovering new biological entities, which he likens to his pursuit of interesting chemical reactions [2]. - Despite losing vision in one eye due to a laboratory accident at age 29, Sharpless continues to explore the field of chemistry with resilience, believing in the potential of serendipitous discoveries [2][4]. Group 2: Click Chemistry - Click chemistry, introduced by Sharpless in 1998, aims to simplify chemical synthesis by focusing on functional outcomes rather than complex structures, challenging the prevailing academic belief that complexity equates to advancement [5][6]. - Sharpless faced initial rejection from top journals for his click chemistry papers, but the concept eventually gained recognition, leading to his second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022, validating its impact on the field [5][6]. Group 3: Academic Philosophy and Approach - Sharpless emphasizes a practical and straightforward approach to research, often discarding ideas that do not yield results quickly, which he believes fosters innovation [4][5]. - He expresses disdain for the competitive nature of academic publishing, preferring to focus on the completion of research rather than the politics of authorship [3][4]. Group 4: International Collaboration and Influence - Over the past decade, Sharpless has established strong academic ties with China, frequently visiting Shanghai to collaborate on research and promote international scientific cooperation [8][9]. - He has been instrumental in mentoring Chinese students and researchers, contributing to the development of a new generation of chemists in China, who are now shaping the future of the field [9].

Core Viewpoint - The establishment of the Biomedicine Materials Chemistry Professional Committee by the Chinese Chemical Society marks a significant step in advancing research and collaboration in the field of biomedicine materials [1] Group 1: Committee Formation - The founding conference was held in Shenzhen, combining both offline and online participation, with over 40 representatives from research institutions, universities, and hospitals attending [1] - Professor Hou Yanglong from Sun Yat-sen University was elected as the first chairman through a secret ballot [1] - The committee also elected four vice-chairmen: Academician Chen Xuesi from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Li Zhibo from Zhejiang University, Professor Yang Huanghao from Fuzhou University, and Professor Yuan Qian from Wuhan University [1] - A total of 56 committee members were elected, and Wang Shuren from Peking University was appointed as the secretary-general [1] Group 2: Future Plans and Discussions - Chairman Hou Yanglong introduced the future work plan for the committee [1] - Committee members engaged in discussions regarding organizational development, future growth, and academic activities, proposing multiple suggestions [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a significant advancement in the asymmetric synthesis of N-chiral compounds, highlighting a collaborative research effort that successfully achieved the first catalytic asymmetric synthesis of these compounds, which is crucial for future studies in this area [4][5]. Group 1: Research Background - The research was conducted by a team from Southern University of Science and Technology and UCLA, focusing on controlling pyramidal nitrogen chirality through asymmetric organocatalysis [4]. - The study addresses the challenges associated with the instability of nitrogen stereocenters and the limited success in asymmetric synthesis of non-cyclic N-chiral compounds [5][7]. Group 2: Methodology and Findings - The team proposed a method to synthesize challenging non-cyclic N-chiral chlorohydroxylamines through asymmetric chlorination reactions, capturing unstable chiral intermediates to obtain more stable N-chiral molecules [7]. - A significant breakthrough was achieved using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst, leading to the successful synthesis of 21 N-stereocenters with high enantioselectivity [8]. - The research demonstrated that introducing a rigid bicyclic structure near the nitrogen atom significantly improved the stability of the configuration, reducing racemization [10]. Group 3: Mechanism and Results - The study confirmed that the key step for stereoselectivity was the chlorination reaction, followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution that adhered to the S N 2 mechanism, ensuring effective transfer of chirality [10]. - The final products exhibited enantiomeric excess values greater than 90%, showcasing the method's effectiveness and broad applicability [10].

Core Viewpoint - The research team led by Zhang Xiaoheng from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a groundbreaking method for direct deamination functionalization using N-nitrosamines, which challenges the traditional industrial processes that have been in use for 140 years [1] Summary by Relevant Sections Research Breakthrough - The new method allows for the direct transformation of aromatic amines into various C-X bonds (including carbon-halogen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-nitrogen, and carbon-carbon bonds) through the in-situ formation of N-nitrosamine intermediates under nitric acid mediation, followed by the removal of dinitrogen oxide [1] Industrial Implications - This innovative approach addresses several issues associated with the traditional stepwise strategy, such as the instability and explosive hazards of diazonium salts, significant copper consumption, and limited substrate compatibility [1] Practical Application - The research team has also developed a one-pot deamination cross-coupling strategy, enabling multiple cross-coupling reactions to be completed within the same reaction system by simply adding the corresponding coupling reagents to the deamination intermediate [1] Scalability - The new method can efficiently achieve kilogram-scale synthesis of target products using common laboratory reagents, making it applicable in pharmaceutical and materials manufacturing sectors [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a groundbreaking research published in Nature, which introduces a new method for direct deaminative functionalization using N-nitroamines, providing a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional aromatic amine transformations that rely on hazardous diazonium salts [1][2]. Group 1: Research Breakthrough - The research presents a novel approach that allows for the direct conversion of inert aromatic carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bonds into various important chemical bonds, including carbon-halogen, carbon-oxygen, carbon-nitrogen, and carbon-carbon bonds [1][2]. - This method utilizes common laboratory reagents and enables kilogram-scale synthesis, challenging the traditional processes that have been in use for 140 years [2][3]. Group 2: Industrial Implications - The new strategy is expected to have broad applications in critical fields such as pharmaceuticals and materials manufacturing, offering a safe and economical alternative to the widely used but hazardous aryl diazonium chemistry [2][3]. - The direct deaminative functionalization method simplifies the synthesis process and subsequent functionalization by combining deaminative functionalization with transition metal-catalyzed arylation [2][3]. Group 3: Mechanism and Advantages - Mechanistic studies indicate that the reactivity of the aromatic carbon cation equivalent during the deamination process is typically dominant, highlighting the potential of this method in synthetic chemistry [3]. - The direct deamination approach provides a significant advantage over other deaminative functionalization methods, as it is applicable to a wide range of drug-relevant heteroaryl amines with varying electronic and structural properties [2][3].

Core Insights - The article discusses the introduction of the Reac-Discovery semi-autonomous digital platform by the research team from IMDEA Materials Institute in Spain, which addresses the lack of a unified model for geometric parameters in reactor design, enhancing the speed and precision of catalytic reactor development [1][2]. Group 1: Platform Overview - Reac-Discovery integrates design, manufacturing, and optimization modules in a closed-loop system, allowing for parallel evaluation of multiple reactors while incorporating real-time NMR monitoring and machine learning for process optimization [2][6]. - The platform utilizes periodic open pore structures (POCs) to improve performance, reaction efficiency, and material consumption, while enhancing system versatility [2][6]. Group 2: Research Highlights - The integration of mathematical modeling, machine learning, and automated experimental systems allows for a comprehensive approach to catalytic reactor design, from geometric design to experimental optimization [3]. - The platform incorporates topological parameters into the optimization space, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods that focus on single variables like temperature and flow rate [3]. - A neural network-based performance prediction model has been developed, significantly improving experimental efficiency and resource utilization through rapid evaluation iterations [3]. Group 3: Data Generation and Modules - The research team generated an internal multidimensional dataset during experiments, covering geometric structures, printability, and reaction performance, without relying on external datasets [3][4]. - The Reac-Discovery platform consists of three functional modules: Reac-Gen for geometric modeling, Reac-Fab for manufacturing, and Reac-Eval for experimental validation and optimization [6][12]. Group 4: Experimental Validation - The platform's effectiveness was validated through two typical multiphase catalytic reactions: the hydrogenation of phenylacetone and CO₂ cycloaddition, demonstrating robustness, stability, and repeatability in self-optimization and topological reconstruction [15][20]. - In the phenylacetone hydrogenation experiments, the platform successfully identified optimal process conditions from over one million parameter combinations, significantly reducing experimental exploration costs [16][20]. Group 5: Industry Implications - The rapid integration of artificial intelligence in flow chemistry and reactor engineering is establishing self-driving laboratories as a new paradigm in chemical research, enhancing precision, efficiency, and scalability in reaction processes [22][23]. - The potential for self-driving laboratories to replace certain research roles while creating new opportunities highlights the transformative impact of automated systems in scientific exploration [23].

Group 1 - The core achievement in the field of chemistry is the successful design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with large cavities, enabling the ordered combination of metal ions and organic molecules, which provides new methods for synthesizing compounds with controllable spaces [3] - The discovery is seen as a significant advancement that could help address major challenges related to resources, energy, and environmental issues [3] - The work of the award-winning researchers has led to the development of various flexible MOFs that can change shape when filled or emptied of different substances, showcasing their potential applications [1][3] Group 2 - The stable material MDF-5, constructed by Yaghi in 1999, can hold an area equivalent to a football pitch with just a couple of grams, highlighting the efficiency and utility of MOFs [1] - The ongoing research in this area is focused on leveraging the properties of MOFs to find solutions for pressing global challenges [3]