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Nature Chemistry
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Author Correction: [2+2] Photocycloaddition reactions of sulfinylamines with alkenes to access β-sultam derivatives #chemsky
Designed for forever #chemsky
Divergent and precise alkaloid remodelling with a small suite of reactions #chemsky
Aromatic ring flips reveal reshaping of protein dynamics in crystals and complexes #chemsky
A photochemical rotor bias in dual molecular motors #chemsky
Cyclophane-based shielding strategy for singly dispersed graphene nanoribbons #chemsky
Catalytic endo-stereoselective [2+2] cycloaddition of norbornadienes with internal alkynes #chemsky
Ligand-modulated metal–radical polarity match enables general 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of ethylene #chemsky
A supercharged molecular motor operating by constitutional alteration and proton transfer #chemsky
Distinct energetic blueprints diversify function of conserved protein folds #chemsky
Nature Chemistry
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02198-3Author Correction: [2+2] Photocycloaddition reactions of sulfinylamines with alkenes to access β-sultam derivatives
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02162-1Yuanqiang Sun, Daniel Reddy, and Lishen Zhang explore the central paradox of PTFE: the very molecular design that enabled this industrial marvel has also established the material and its chemical relatives as an enduring environmental crisis.
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Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02164-zA deconstructive alkaloid remodelling strategy comprising a concise set of robust transformations is introduced. Twenty-six altered frameworks are synthesized, requiring an average of ~1.8 steps per analogue. In cellulo evaluation across ten cancer cell lines indicates that an expanded amine bridge and a deconstructed tricyclic analogue exhibit micromolar and nanomolar level activities, respectively.
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02155-0The extent to which crystal packing constrains protein dynamics is hard to decipher. Now a combination of NMR, crystallography and molecular dynamics simulations show that intermolecular contacts can slow ring flips down in crystals or accelerated them in complexes. A thermodynamic and structural analysis provides insights into the origins of the elevated free-energy barrier in crystals.
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Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02142-5Generating multiple active rotational frequencies within one molecule is challenging. Now, distinct and tunable rotor activation in a single molecule has been demonstrated by integrating non-identical rotors with divergent photochemical responses. This enables dual-frequency motion, suggesting steering-like behaviour in molecular motors.
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02177-8Selective radical capture remains a central challenge in transition metal-catalysed transformations involving multiple radical intermediates. Now a ligand-modulated metal–radical polarity-match mechanism exploiting electronic bias for selective radical capture has been identified. This principle enables general photoredox/copper-catalysed 1,2-dicarbofunctionalization of ethylene, providing modular access to structurally diverse 1,2-dicarbofunctionalized ethanes.
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02163-0Proteins sharing a common fold can evolve strikingly different functions, but the underlying energetic logic is often hidden. Now, hydrogen exchange–mass spectrometry reveals conserved energetic ‘blueprints’ that distinguish Venus flytrap transcription factors from transport proteins, uncovering molecular switches for allostery and enabling rational tuning of ligand sensitivity.
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Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02141-6Light-driven molecular motors represent archetypical molecular machines, with the existing varieties working via light-induced bond rotations. Now a different mechanism invoking constitutional alteration and reversible proton transfer is shown. This enables the formation of a high-energy intermediate and its application in low-temperature molecular solar thermal energy storage.
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02167-wThe endo-facial stereoselective transformation of norbornadiene (NBD) remains underdeveloped. Now a nickel(0)-catalysed endo-selective [2+2] cycloaddition of NBDs with unactivated internal alkynes is reported, enabled by ligand-mediated facial differentiation of NBDs and nickel-controlled configuration of a key intermediate. This scalable method provides an expedient route to synthetically useful endo-tricyclononadienes and substituted homocubanes.
Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02172-zThe integration of graphene nanoribbons into single-ribbon devices is impeded by strong inter-ribbon aggregation. Now a cyclophane-based shielding approach has been developed to sterically protect the graphene nanoribbon backbone while imparting internal strain, enabling singly dispersed graphene nanoribbons and modulation of their optoelectronic properties.
