Behind the Paper
The real stories behind the latest research papers, from conception to publication, the highs and the lows
Until now, only copper catalysts possessed a distinctive feature: the ability to form multicarbon products at appreciable rates. Copper is not alone anymore. We discovered that polarized nickel enables C1 to C6 hydrocarbons via a Fischer-Tropsch-like mechanism with selectivities up to 6.5% for C3+.
In situ electro-synthesis and resynthesis of redox actives in aqueous organic redox flow batteries
We report in situ continuous anthraquinone electrosyntheses from lower-cost anthracene feedstock in a flow cell reactor to lower mass production cost of anthraquinone-based electrolytes, and in situ electro-resyntheses of active molecules from decomposed species to extend lifetime of aqueous anthraquinone redox flow batteries.
Bis-Schiff base linkage makes gold nanoclusters brighter
We develop an efficient strategy to increase the photoluminescence quantum yield of water-soluble gold clusters at the single-cluster level via formation of bis-Schiff base linkages, and its mechanism is deeply investigated.
Nickel-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of oximes
The asymmetric hydrogenation of oximes to chiral hydroxylamines is a long-standing problem due to the labile N-O bond and inert C=N bond. It has now been enabled by a chiral nickel catalyst with excellent results in which the weak interactions between catalyst and substrate play crucial roles.
Acidic CO2RR Employing Bimetallic Catalysts Increases the Carbon Utilization Efficiency in CO2 Electrolysis
With growing interest in the upgrade of CO2 to valuable chemicals, the present-day problem of low carbon utilization – the result of carbonate formation – is attracting ever-increasing attention. We develop a new electrocatalyst that works well in acid, improving the activity in CO2RR.
Protein changes on the ultrafast timescale
In phytochrome Agp2 ultrafast proton-transfer occurs from the chromophore to a hydrogen-bonded water network in the protein prior to photoisomerization. The altered hydrogen bonds persist after photoisomerization and trigger together with the new chromophore geometry the activated protein conformation.