Nature Chemistry

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 12 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02175-w Extreme reactivity has long hindered the study of linear atomic carbon chains (carbyne). Now it has been shown that transmetallation of suitable precursors overcomes stability issues, delivering 1D Au|Cn|Au junctions that sustain high currents through a cumulene ⋯C=C=C=C⋯ valence structure with 12 or more carbon atom…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 12 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02148-z N-aryl pyrazole is a prevalent motif among pharmaceuticals across various therapeutic areas but can be challenging to synthesize due to the high similarity of the two nitrogen atoms. Now it has been shown that the use of copper catalysis and arynes provides a switchable protocol to access both regioisomers.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02198-3 Author Correction: [2+2] Photocycloaddition reactions of sulfinylamines with alkenes to access β-sultam derivatives

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02155-0 The 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 in…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02177-8 Selective 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 photo…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02167-w The 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 inter…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02164-z A 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 deconstructe…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02162-1 Yuanqiang 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.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02172-z The 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 modu…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02163-0 Proteins 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 fo…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02141-6 Light-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 applicat…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02142-5 Generating 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…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02173-y A strategy is developed that merges triplet nitrene-mediated ring expansion with titanium-catalysed cyanylation for the diastereoselective synthesis of vicinal tetrasubstituted cyclobutane amino nitriles. This strategy unlocks highly functionalized and congested three-dimensional cyclobutanes that could provide scaff…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02156-z The availability of sterically hindered vicinal tetrasubstituted amino acids has long been a formidable challenge in medicinal chemistry due to their rigid structures. Now it has been shown that leveraging triplet nitrene reactivity and combining it with titanium catalysis enables access to these valuable building bl…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02158-x Ultrathin single-crystalline 2D peptide structures are widespread in nature but challenging to construct synthetically. Now it has been shown that a metal-directed β-sheet-like assembly strategy enables the generation of free-standing ultrathin 2D peptide crystals—with programmable sequence, chirality and side-chain …

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02169-8 Achieving simultaneous gains in power density and operational stability in proton-exchange membranes remains a formidable challenge. Now it has been shown that cation-directed assembly and sequential functionalization enable superprotonic polyanion–organic frameworks to serve as multifunctional fillers, delivering bo…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 29 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02166-x Ketones are versatile, but converting them to ketyl radicals typically requires harsh conditions. Now a mild method using a bifunctional silyl reagent has been shown to generate ketyl-type radicals through a radical translocation strategy, enabling redox-neutral Pd-catalysed ketone–olefin couplings to give diverse alk…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02153-2 Triplet tetrylenes are typically too short-lived for detailed investigation. Now a triplet germylene with a 14-h half-life at 25 °C has been generated through photoexcitation of a germylene compound, enabling spectroscopic characterization and probing of its reactivity.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02168-9 Organic ferroelectrics typically exhibit modest polarization and high coercive fields, which limit their performance. Now a donor–acceptor cocrystal in which V-shaped donor molecules assemble into a gear-like packing motif has been developed; this architecture enables low-barrier in-plane molecular rotations that enha…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02154-1 Solid-state batteries offer safe high-energy storage but are difficult to recycle. Now, a supramolecular electrolyte that forms a solid during operation and reverts to molecules afterwards combines electrochemical performance and recoverability — a combination of properties rarely achieved in battery technology.