Chemistry - A European Journal

“Black belt” S_Ni and S_Ni′: Deuterium labeling revealed an inherent preference of N- and C-metalated nitriles for S_Ni, rather than S_Ni′ displacement. The fundamental reactivity preferences are harnessed in a series of cyclizations to cis- and trans-decalins that install contiguous quaternary–tertiary and quaternary–quaternary stereocenters (see scheme).

Tantalizingly simple: The common organometallic starting material TaMe₃Cl₂ can be used for the catalytic CH functionalization reaction, hydroaminoalkylation. The substrate scope for this readily accessed compound includes unactivated terminal and internal alkenes, styrene derivatives, and both alkylaryl- and dialkyl secondary amines (see scheme).

Facet-selective growth: Regular ZnO/TiO₂ heterojunctions have been successfully synthesized using a facile hydrothermal technique (see figure). Due to the interfacial lattice matching, wurtzite ZnO can only grow on the eight {101} facets of the anatase TiO₂ single crystals, while the other two {001} facets are untouched. The as-prepared regular ZnO/TiO₂ heterojunctions exhibited enhanced photocatalytic generation of ^.OH radicals and enhanced photodegradation of methyl orange when irradiated with UV light.

Ru being served? Photochromic structural changes of Ru^II/TPA (TPA=tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) complexes that contain a diimine ligand are reported. Further metal coordination to the diimine ligand allows interconversion between its open/closed forms (see scheme).

Ta very much: The combination of a niobium or tantalum pre-catalyst that contained an imine-based ligand set and a MeAlCl₂ (MADC) co-catalyst is capable, in the presence of ethyl trichloroacetate (ETA), of polymerising ethylene with activities in excess of 11 000 g mmol⁻¹ h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ for niobium and 20 000 g mmol⁻¹ h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ for tantalum. These systems produced essentially linear, high-molecular-weight polyethylene.