Nature Chemistry

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02230-6 Bioorthogonal chemistry has greatly advanced our ability to explore and manipulate biological systems. Now, a genetically targeted photocatalytic strategy enables spatially controlled, non-natural organic transformations in specific cell types and subcellular compartments, combining abiotic reactivity with biologic…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 20 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02250-2 Publisher Correction: How webby is the wood-wide web?

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 20 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02219-1 Gas evolution compromises the safety and commercial viability of high-energy lithium metal batteries. Now it has been shown that CH4 generated by ether-based electrolyte decomposition at the Li anode dominates gas evolution. A facile anode activation strategy suppresses CH4-forming interfacial reactions, dramatical…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 20 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02239-x High-voltage batteries are limited by electrolyte oxidation. Now, a pathway-selective strategy limits electrolyte oxidation by replacing the susceptible α-hydrogens, moving beyond frontier orbital-based design and enabling stable operation at high voltage without fluorination.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02233-3 Conventional energy transfer photocatalysis often requires matching triplet-state energies between catalysts and substrates, which can trigger polymerization side reactions through rapid diradical generation. Now it has been shown that heteroleptic copper(I) complexes enable endergonic triplet photosensitization of…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02225-3 Constructing protocell networks with spatial dynamics remains a central challenge in colloidal systems chemistry. Now, binary populations of enzyme-containing protocells with different membrane wettability have been shown to spontaneously segregate in phase-separated media. Enzyme-mediated signals induce reversible…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02231-5 The α-arylation of carbonyl compounds remains a central challenge in chemical synthesis. Now it has been shown that BisTrip, a recyclable aryl group transporter, enables rapid and regiospecific α-arylation of diverse carbonyl compounds, providing access to challenging arylated ketones including quaternary carbon ce…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02224-4 The incorporation of unnatural chemical reactions into biosynthetic pathways is a key aim of synthetic biology. Now it has been shown that a nitrene precursor derived from the natural metabolite p-aminobenzoic acid can be generated through biosynthesis in Escherichia coli and transferred to several biosynthesized o…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 17 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02222-6 A stable and modular artificial protein–foldamer helical supramolecular synthon enables the assembly of ordered architectures, in which the foldamer dictates protein orientation and spacing on the nanoscale.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 12 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02223-5 Conductive van der Waals metal–organic frameworks (vdW–MOFs) are an emerging class of electronic materials whose properties are highly sensitive to layer stacking. Now, a strategy enables precise control over the stacking structures of vdW–MOFs by using solvents to direct the formation of metastable supramolecular …

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02220-8 Is there a subterranean communication network between trees and fungus or has discussion in popular culture outpaced the evidence? Bruce Gibb discusses the chemistry of plant–fungus interactions, revealing a complex world that is far from well understood.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02200-y Patricia O’Hara discusses how the molecular structure of oleic acid shapes olive oil’s physical properties, culinary behaviour and health benefits, linking ancient symbolism to modern chemistry.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 30 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02215-5 Innovation without inventors

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02221-7 Conventional LiF-forming electrolytes rely on anion-rich Li+ solvation, which inevitably lowers the electrolyte ionic conductivity and compromises both fast-charging capabilities and low-temperature performance. Now it has been shown that solvent-bridged electrolytes effectively broaden the liquid range of LiPF6–ethe…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02209-3 The infrared spectra of the aqueous proton show dynamic character beyond the classical Zundel H+(H2O)2 and Eigen H+(H2O)3 structural motifs. Fully quantum modelling the larger H+(H2O)6 complex provides a direct link between asymmetric solvation environments and the spectroscopic response of the solvated proton.

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02229-z A streamlined approach for oligonucleotide functionalization is established through direct on-support phosphitylation of the growing oligonucleotide chain, enabling coupling with bifunctional alcohols and nucleosides. This method provides access to diverse terminal and internal modifications, improves functional-grou…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02212-8 A unified platform for divergent synthesis of alkyl-sulfur(VI) compounds is reported using alkyl hydrazines and hydrazides as practical radical precursors. Upon simple thermal activation, these readily accessible precursors undergo N2 extrusion to generate alkyl radicals under mild conditions, enabling chemoselective…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02214-6 Oligonucleotide modification largely relies on unstable, expensive phosphoramidite reagents, limiting the diversity and efficiency of chemical functionalization. Now, a site-selective modification of synthetic oligonucleotides is reported via the in situ generation of phosphoramidites on the solid-supported oligonucl…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02217-3 Organic photocatalysis offers a promising route for solar-to-chemical energy conversion, yet excited-state deactivation, particularly upon aggregation, often limits efficiencies. Now, supramolecular dye polymers exploit aggregation, through excited-state confinement and molecular rigidification, for improved photoche…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02216-4 An elusive aura-nitrene has been captured in crystallo by the photochemical extrusion of N2 from a gold(III) azide complex. Computational investigations confirm a triplet ground state and its reactivity with O2, CO, aldehydes and alkynes establish gold as a viable platform for nitrene atom-transfer chemistry.