Themed collection #MyFirstChemSci 2025


Unveiling the photophysical mechanistic mysteries of tetrazine-functionalized fluorogenic labels
This review highlights the mechanisms underlying the unique fluorogenic properties of tetrazine-functionalized labels and proposes new strategies to enhance fluorogenicity in the near-infrared region.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07018F

Synthesis of organic molecules via spray-drying
Spray-drying, a rapid, continuous, and widely used industrial process that atomizes microdroplets and dries them in a hot gas stream, is employed to conduct chemical reactions for the synthesis of small organic molecules such as paracetamol.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00126A

Structural rigidity, thermochromism and piezochromism of layered hybrid perovskites containing an interdigitated organic bilayer
In this manuscript, the piezochromism and thermochromism of phase-stable 2D hybrid perovskites containing a rigid organic bilayer are explored. Dual-band emission from single crystals is linked to emission from both the surface and the bulk.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06637E

Metal–ligand cooperativity enables zero-valent metal transfer
Group 13 aminoxy complexes, (L)E(TEMPO)3 (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl; L = THF (tetrahydrofuran) or Py (pyridine); E = Al, Ga, In), display ambiphilic reactivity with H2 and function as synthons for the preparation of materials.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3888-3894
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07938H

Mercapto-NSAIDs generate a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and hydrogen sulfide
A new class of mercapto-NSAIDs that generate persulfide, H2S, and the NSAID is reported.
Chem. Sci., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08525F

Thiosemicarbazones as versatile photoswitches with light-controllable supramolecular activity
Thiosemicarbazones exhibit versatile photochromic and supramolecular properties, making them excellent photoswitches for designing systems that respond to external stimuli.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3130-3140
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC08530B

Affinity-based covalent sialyltransferase probes enabled by ligand-directed chemistry
Ligand-directed chemistry (LDchem) sialyltransferases (ST) probes with an O-nitrobenzoxadiazole warhead enable selective fluorescent labelling of a wide range of recombinant STs and native lipooligosaccharide ST (Lst) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3336-3344
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07184K

Self-sensitized Cu(II)-complex catalyzed solar driven CO2 reduction
Developing a self-sensitized catalyst from earth-abundant elements capable of efficient light harvesting and electron transfer is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of CO2 reduction, environmental cleanup, and improving clean energy prospects.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3114-3123
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC06354F

More π, please: What drives the formation of unsaturated molecules in the interstellar medium?
We computationally investigated the fragmentation pathways of saturated molecules detected in the interstellar medium, demonstrating how high-energy processes drive their transformation into unsaturated species with extended π-bond networks.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 3051-3065
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07986H

Two-photon brightness of NIR-emitting, atomically precise DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters
Characterization of 2PA of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters (AgN-DNAs) with far-red to NIR emission identify them as water-soluble two-photon absorbers.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 1737-1745
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC05853D

Regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of cyclobutylated phenothiazines via [2 + 2] photocycloaddition: demonstrating wavelength-gated cycloreversion inside live cells
We have demonstrated the synthesis of regio- and diastereoselective cyclobutylated phenothiazines via [2 + 2] visible-light-irradiated cycloaddition and wavelength-gated cycloreversion inside the live cells for cell imaging and drug delivery.
Chem. Sci., 2025,16, 709-720
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SC07817A
About this collection
This themed collection highlights and celebrates articles shared by our authors using the #MyFirstChemSci hashtag on social media in 2025.