Finn Moeller

Nature, Published online: 16 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09291-6

A redox reaction network, comprising concurrent oxidation and reduction pathways, is described that can drive autonomous unidirectional motion about a C–C bond in a structurally simple synthetic molecular motor based on an achiral biphenyl.

Science, Volume 389, Issue 6757, Page 275-281, July 2025.

Science, Volume 389, Issue 6757, Page 295-298, July 2025.

In the center a greenish droplet made of marble can be seen from which a chemical structure emerges, exemplifying the presented heterogenized, but molecular catalyst system for the reductive hydroformylation. The catalyst design was inspired by a homogeneous Rh-predecessor, which can be seen in the back in a characteristic dark green. Surrounding the droplet of the best-performing catalyst are masonry tools and broken drops featuring previous, less effective catalyst design iterations. Details of this research are reported by Andreas J. Vorholt et al. in their Research Article (e202424144).

The diamino stannylene Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ shows rich photophysics and photochemistry: unprecedented dual green/orange phosphorescence with long excited state lifetimes, excimer formation, and unimolecular bond homolysis. Photolytic Sn─N bond homolysis occurs only in the long-lived excited monomer but not in the excimer.

Abstract

The first stable heavy carbene homologues, the heavy tetrylenes, were reported in 1973 by Lappert and coworkers. These tetrylenes were extensively investigated with respect to ground state reactivity, such as small molecule activation, insertion into σ-bonds, coordination chemistry, materials chemistry, or catalysis. Their photophysical properties remained essentially unexplored. We report that the bright yellow-colored diamino stannylene Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ shows thermally activated dual orange/green phosphorescence with microsecond lifetime in fluid solution at room temperature, which has been overlooked for more than 50 years. These unique electronic and photophysical properties are studied in detail by temperature-dependent time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopy and are corroborated by (time-dependent) density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The mechanism of photochemical radical formation has been disclosed, involving unprecedented stannylene excimers with second-order Jahn–Teller distorted structures. The present study provides new insights toward a rational design of tetrel(II) complexes with long-lived emissive excited states, with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ being the prototype.

Nature, Published online: 02 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09209-2

A method based on boron-mediated assembly is described for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted alkenes, molecules with four substituents around the central C=C bond, with complete control over the double-bond geometry.

Nature Communications, Published online: 01 July 2025; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60230-5

Electrocatalytic methods that enable asymmetric reductive coupling of two π-components with regio-, stereo-, and enantioselectivity control are underexplored. Here, the authors report a regio- and enantioselective cobaltaelectro-catalyzed alkyne-aldehyde coupling reaction, in which protons and electrons serve as the hydrogen source and reductant, respectively.

Amines are among the most common functional groups in bioactive molecules and pharmaceuticals, yet they are almost universally treated as synthetic endpoints. Here we report a strategy that repositions native primary, secondary, and tertiary amines as versatile handles for divergent cross-coupling. The platform relies on in situ activation via borane coordination and exploits a copper catalytic redox system that generates amine-ligated boryl radicals, which undergo beta-scission across the C(sp³)–N bond to release alkyl radicals. These intermediates engage in copper-catalyzed cross-couplings with a broad array of C-, N-, O-, and S-based nucleophiles. The method tolerates diverse amine classes, enables modular functionalization, and supports late-stage editing of complex drug scaffolds. In addition, amides can be incorporated into the manifold via reductive funneling. This work establishes a general approach to deaminative C–N bond functionalization and introduces a new logic for retrosynthetic diversification and pharmacophore remodeling.

Chemoselectivity Challenge: A precise catalyst design allows for chemoselectivity control over alkyne reactivity to yield pentafulvenes via (2 + 2 + 1) cyclotrimerization. Operative mechanism has been elucidated by means of stoichiometric and deuteration experiments, as well as DFT calculations.

Abstract

The synthesis of pentafulvenes with varied substituents has been efficiently achieved using novel rhodium-based catalysts via (2 + 2 + 1) alkyne cyclotrimerization. A rational design of the catalyst structure, including pyridonato, NHC, and CO ligands, ensures the alkyne chemoselectivity and prevents the formation of robust rhodium-fulvene species. Furthermore, the judicious choice of acidity and steric properties of different alkynes enables the preparation of cross-coupled fulvene derivatives. Stoichiometric and deuteration experiments, as well as DFT calculations, shed light on the reaction mechanism, showing that it includes an initial alkyne deprotonation, two successive alkyne insertions, cyclization, and protonolysis, the first insertion being the rate-determining step.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Volume 64, Issue 33, August 11, 2025.

Science, Volume 388, Issue 6754, Page 1436-1440, June 2025.