A magazine providing a snapshot of the latest developments across the chemical sciences.
Issue 7
Better ball control
Hongyu Li and colleagues from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China, have found a new method of making titania balls with large pores using balls assembled from close-packed polystyrene microspheres as templates. Their method allows them to control both the size of the balls and the crystalline form of the titania, and gives a more uniform size distribution of balls than previous methods. The materials have potential applications as photonic band-gap materials and in photocatalysis.
Switching surfaces
Surfaces that suddenly change from superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic have been demonstrated by Neil Shirtcliffe and colleagues at Nottingham Trent University, UK. When exposed to a small trigger effect, porous materials either completely fill with liquid or do not fill at all; there are no intermediate stages. The temperature at which this switching occurs can be tuned by varying certain factors which may lead to the use of this effect in devices such as sensors.
A difference in symmetry
The stereoisomers of a chiral molecule are widely believed to possess the same energy. However, a multidisciplinary team lead by Jeanne Crassous thinks differently. By using high-resolution molecular spectroscopy, team members in France and New Zealand attempt to discover the parity violation energy difference that theoretically exists between enantiomers. Having reviewed the experimental and theoretical possibilities in this emerging area, the team hope that the tiny difference in energy existing between enantiomers will soon be observed experimentally.
Complex but interesting
Gallium and indium complexes are of particular significance as they have potential applications in nuclear medicine and semiconductor formation.Chris Orvig and colleagues at the University of British Columbia, Canada, have uncovered exciting coordination chemistry of bidentate phosphinoenolates with group 13 metals. In the indium complexes binding occurs through both oxygen and phosphorus atoms, whereas in the gallium complexes only oxygen binds. The new materials were characterised by variety of methods including X-ray crystallography.
Essential Elements
New fresh look for RSC website
The new RSC website has just been launched - bringing you the latest news and developments about the society and its products, as well as the very best in chemical science resear...
Researchers led by Ian Paterson at the University of Cambridge, UK, have successfully synthesised a biologically active compound found in a natural marine sponge.
Research Highlights
Controlling nanoparticle aggregation
Shell-crosslinked nanoparticles with a remarkable rosette shape have been formed using a simple and elegant technique.
New chemosensor for mercury detection
A fluorescent sensor for detecting mercury in water has been developed by US researchers.
NOx data from satellite observations
Global emissions data is being gathered by taking measurements from space
A chemically fuelled molecular motor that independently rotates and translates
Tubes form in the wake of bubbles
Rising gas bubbles in a hi-tech 'crystal garden' have been creating tubes during precipitations
Carbohydrates click into place
Designer starches are closer than ever thanks to 'click chemistry'.
Fuel cell poisoning halted by CO oxidising catalyst
A gold catalyst that can be used in power-generating fuel cells has been prepared
Angling for core proteins in bacterial cells
Bacterium core enzymes have been easily identified, isolated and released
Emulsion droplets with smaller droplets inside them
Building blocks for microelectronics
The latest addition to the nanotech revolution - 'nanocables' - could bring quantum computing a step closer. Nanowires combining magnetic and semiconducting materials have been mad...
Building a new twist on an old reaction
Rare reactions are being explored to find ways to make building blocks for organic synthesis
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