The boracarboxylation of vinyl arenes is a useful alkene difunctionalization reaction that provides synthetically useful β‐boryl‐α‐aryl propanoic acid derivatives. The  group of Dr. Popp showed that catalytic additives, specifically triphenylphosphine or electron‐rich styrene, leads to improved catalyst efficiency and broadening of substrate scope. Preliminary experiments are described that begin to clarify the role of ligand additive in the catalytic reaction.

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Effect of surface partitioning on aerosol chemistry

Aerosol flow tube experiments coupled to molecular dynamic simulations reveal that molecular partitioning between the surface and bulk of an aqueous nano droplet significantly affect its chemical reactivity. The results published in Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. by the group of Dr. Goulay may have significant impact on the understanding of atmospheric aerosol chemical aging.

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A Photosensitizer with a Long-Lived Excited State

Time-resolved emission spectroscopy for the luminescent zirconium complex Zr(MePDP)2 revealed a long-lived excited state with a lifetime τ = 325 ± 10 μs. This value is among the longest lifetimes reported for transition metal complexes and exceeds the values found in traditional MLCT photosensitizers. The results published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society by the by the group of Dr. Milsmann establish a detailed mechanistic picture of a photoredox catalytic reaction promoted by an earth-abundant early transition metal photosensitizer.

Synthesis of Fused Nanohoops

In an article highlighted in Synfacts ( 2018 , 14 , 0371) the group of Dr. Wang reports the efficient synthesis of molecular nanohoops with two fused cycloparaphenylenes by Diels–Alder reactions and homocoupling reactions. This strategy may be applied to the synthesis of carbon nanotubes.

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Using field effect to predict decarboxylation rates

The field effect parameter has a substantial influence on the rate of decarboxylation of well-defined silver benzoate complexes. The data published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society by the group of Dr. Hoover provides the opportunity to surpass current substrate limitations associated with decarboxylation and to enable widespread utilization of decarboxylative coupling reactions.

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A new kind of spiral waves embraces disorder

A type of spiraling wave has been busted for disorderly conduct. Spiral waves are waves that ripple outward in a swirl. Now scientists from Germany and the United States, including WVU chemists Ken Showalter and Mark Tinsley, have created a new type of spiral wave in the lab. The unusual whorl has a jumbled, disordered center rather than an orderly swirl, making it the first "serial wave chimera," the researchers reported in the prestigious journal Nature Physics.

Spiral waves

Using sound waves for biomedical breakthroughs

Sound waves could be the future of biomedical research, diagnosing and treatment. Peng Li, an assistant professor in the chemistry department assisted a team of researchers to develop an acoustic device that uses sound waves to split cells. This could eventually assist medical professionals during diagnoses and examinations.

The sound of silence

Cicada Wing

A new analysis suggests that cicadas are lousy fliers because of the chemical composition of their wings. I n a study appearing the ACS’ The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Professor Gullion reports that certain chemical components in the insect’s wings could explain why.

Chemical Echo