Themed collection Chemical Communications HOT articles 2025

From gas sensing to AI–gas sensing
Traditional gas sensing integrated with AI for AI-driven gas sensing.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9996-10010
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01291K
Unraveling the mechanism of hydrogen evolution reactions in alkaline media: recent advances in in situ Raman spectroscopy
In situ Raman spectroscopy used for monitoring the electrocatalytic process reveals the hydrogen evolution reaction mechanism, providing theoretical guidance for fabricating efficient catalysts.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8778-8789
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01788B
Edible batteries for biomedical innovation: advances, challenges, and future perspectives
Edible batteries integrate exceptional energy efficiency with a safe energy supply, advancing the intersection of sustainable energy and biomedical engineering.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8294-8313
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01385B
Small molecular fluorescent probes featuring protein-assisted functional amplification for improved biosensing and cancer therapeutics
In recent years, small molecular fluorescent probes have significantly advanced biosensing and cancer therapy, enabling applications such as target detection, cellular imaging, fluorescence-guided surgery, and phototherapy.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7908-7928
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01548K
Alkynyl hydroxylamines: key precursors for 1,2-N/O heterocycles
1,2-N/O heterocycles hold great promise for exhibiting diverse pharmacological activities. This review summarizes an overview of recent methods (up to 2024) for the synthesis of these heterocycles starting from alkynyl hydroxylamines.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 6212-6225
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00447K

Precision design of covalent organic frameworks for cathode applications
This review article discusses the limitations and potential of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for cathodes applications and introduces key molecular and structural engineering strategies to enhance the performance of COF cathodes in batteries.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 5842-5856
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01023C
Presodiation technology: progress, strategy and prospects of sacrificial cathode additives in sodium-based energy storage systems
The sacrificial cathode additive (SCA) method holds great promise for industrial application. This review explores recent progress in SCA presodiation technology, with a focus on optimizing strategies to develop near-ideal SCAs.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 5386-5394
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00738K
Graphene-based thermoelectric materials: toward sustainable energy-harvesting systems
This review explores the TE properties of graphene and strategies to enhance its performance. Nanostructuring and hybridization approaches are introduced to overcome its limitations, highlighting the potential for high-efficiency TE applications.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 5050-5063
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC06821A
Chlorine-mediated methane activation: an efficient photocatalytic pathway to valuable chemicals
This Highlight presents an emerging strategy for methane photocatalytic oxidation using chlorine species, emphasizing their advantages and outlining future challenges.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 3934-3945
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC06303A
A brief review on the progress of MXene-based catalysts for electro- and photochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation
The development and generation of affordable and highly efficient energy, particularly hydrogen, are one of the best approaches to address the challenges posed by the depletion of non-renewable energy sources.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 2602-2626
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05868B

Raman optical activity of amyloid fibrils: a distinctive chiroptical phenomenon beyond resonance
This feature article focuses on exceptionally intense ROA of amyloid fibrils, discussed in the broader context of ROA signal enhancement.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 11118-11130
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02442K
Design of alternative oxidation processes for hybrid water electrolysis systems: recent progress and perspective
Hybrid water electrolysis (HWE) has emerged as a promising electrochemical strategy for sustainable hydrogen production by coupling thermodynamically favorable small molecule oxidation reactions with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02862K

Real-space Kohn–Sham density functional theory for complex energy applications
Real-space Kohn–Sham density functional theory (real-space KS-DFT) enables large-scale electronic structure simulations that is particularly well-suited for the modern high-performance computing (HPC) architectures.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10273-10286
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01820J
Metallic and semiconductor nanomaterials for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
The inherent characteristics, enhancement mechanisms, and spectroscopic performance of metallic and semiconductor nanomaterials as SERS substrates are systematically summarized.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10052-10072
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02022K
Biosensing and biorecognition with water-soluble macrocyclic hosts
Multiple orthogonal recognition mechanisms enable cavitand-based optical sensing arrays to discriminate a wide range of biorelevant targets with high selectivity.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10039-10051
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02339D
Recent progress in Y-series small molecule acceptors in polymer solar cells
This review summarizes recent advances in Y-series small molecule acceptors with emphasis on how molecular structure influences material and device performance. Strategies for developing higher-efficiency polymer solar cells are also proposed.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9569-9583
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02352A
Advances in the detection of RNA modification
Herein, a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art techniques for identifying RNA modifications is presented, including high-throughput sequencing technologies and locus-specific approaches.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9188-9198
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01797A

Protein and peptide confinement within metal–organic materials
Metal–organic materials (MOMs), including both discrete metal–organic cages (MOCs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), are emerging as promising materials for peptide and protein immobilisation.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7945-7959
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01678A
Fluorescent probes for lysosomes, mitochondria, and lipid droplets: precision design, dynamic microenvironment monitoring, and heterogeneity exploration
This feature article highlights cutting-edge fluorescent probes for monitoring dynamic microenvironments and exploring heterogeneity in lysosomes, mitochondria, and lipid droplets.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7929-7944
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01767J
Hematite photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting: recent advances and outlook
Promoting hematite by water oxidation reaction on the surface, charge separation and transport in the bulk, and parallel multi-stacked design.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7724-7736
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01630D
Ultrasmall coinage metal nanoclusters as promising antibacterial agents: from design to applications
Ultrasmall coinage metal nanoclusters (MNCs, <3 nm) are promising broad-spectrum antibacterials with tunable core–shell structures. This review discusses their design, mechanisms, applications, and challenges for future antimicrobial development.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7201-7220
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01275A
Recent advances of asymmetric catalytic transformations of alkylidene Meldrum's acid derivatives
This account highlights the recent developments of catalytic enantioselective transformations of AMA towards the construction of valuable chiral molecules and heterocycles.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 6555-6566
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01032B

Transition-metal-catalyzed auxiliary-assisted C–H functionalization using vinylcyclopropanes and cyclopropanols
This article covers the developments and outlook in auxiliary assisted C–H functionalization with vinylcyclopropanes and cyclopropanols utilizing transition-metal-catalysis.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 6055-6068
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00599J
Metal–organic frameworks as advanced platforms for radionuclide detection
In this review, we highlight recent advancements in the application of metal–organic frameworks for radionuclide detection, focusing on sensing techniques such as fluorescence, scintillation, colorimetric, and electrochemical methods, among others.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 5395-5409
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00711A

Bio-inspired anti-fouling strategies for membrane-based separations
The benefits of a systematic nature-inspired chemical engineering (NICE) approach to addressing fouling in membrane filtration are explored, with examples leveraging advances in mechanistic insights, functional materials chemistry, and manufacturing.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 5064-5071
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05149A
Synthetic organic polysulfanes as H2S donors and anticancer agents
The present review primarily focuses on highlighting recent developments in the synthesis of H2S-donating organic polysulfanes and their potential pharmacological implications for cancer.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 4647-4661
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00252D
Molecular engineering of functional DNA molecules toward point-of-care diagnostic devices
This review introduces functional DNA applications in point-of-care diagnostics, highlighting its potential to revolutionize diagnostics, and explores synergies with emerging technologies like nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 4316-4338
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00338E
Shape-selective catalysis in cavity-type molecular sieves: cavity-controlled catalytic principle
Cavity-type zeolites or molecular sieves exhibit significant advantages in shape-selective catalysis, following the cavity-controlled catalytic principles, including molecular adsorption, diffusion, reaction, and deactivation processes.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 3636-3648
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC06574C
Photofunctional cyclophane host–guest systems
This feature article presents cyclophane-based host–guest complexes for which electronic interactions between the host and guest molecules can modulate excited-state properties in an advanced way involving both singlet and triplet excited states.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 3081-3092
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC06070A
State-of-the-art advances in homogeneous molecular catalysis for the Guerbet upgrading of bio-ethanol to fuel-grade bio-butanol
A review of the state-of-the-art advances for upgrading ethanol to n-butanol via the Guerbet reaction catalyzed by molecular homogeneous complexes is provided here. Key advancements in catalyst design based on mechanistic understanding is discussed.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 2906-2925
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05931J
A review: strategies for reducing the open-circuit voltage loss of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells
Wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells suffer from severe VOC loss. The reported studies on reducing the VOC deficit in terms of interface modification, charge transport layer engineering, and additive engineering are systematically reviewed.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 1063-1086
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC05131A
Fluorine confined catalytic sites for augmented p-d hybridization promoting flow-type aqueous Zn-CO2 batteries
Chem. Commun., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC03154K
Balancing UV-to-blue light conversion by membrane-embedded AIE antennas for enhanced photosynthesis
Cationic tetraphenylethylene-based amphiphiles were developed as AIE-active membrane antennas for balanced ultraviolet to blue light conversion to enhance algal photosynthesis.
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC03540F
Switchable synthesis of benzimidazole/quinoxaline C-glycosides with o-phenylenediamines and sulfoxonium ylide glyco-reagents
A novel switchable approach for the synthesis of benzimidazole/quinoxaline C-glycosides is presented. This versatile catalytic system enables the reaction utilizing [OsCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ and AgSbF₆ as catalysts respectively.
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02719E
Regulating Ag–Cu synergy effect via Cu doping numbers to boost CO2 electroreduction on Ag14 nanoclusters
An Ag14−xCux series (Ag14, (AgCu)14-1, (AgCu)14-2), was synthesized. Moderate Cu doping in (AgCu)14-1 leads to stronger Ag–Cu synergy and higher Cu valence states, which promote *CO adsorption and thereby improve CO2-to-CH4 selectivity.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10772-10775
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02587G
From separation to photothermal conversion: selective crystallization of thorium from lanthanides
This work demonstrates an efficient selective crystallization strategy for separating Th(IV) from Ln(III), yielding a photothermally active thorium–oxo cluster.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10776-10779
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02557E
Regio- and stereoselective C–H alkenylation of pyridines with silyl-substituted internal alkynes using a half-sandwich scandium catalyst
The regio- and stereoselective C–H alkenylation of pyridines with silyl-substituted internal alkynes has been achieved by using a half-sandwich scandium catalyst, affording a wide range of silyl-functionalized alkenyl pyridines.
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC03275J

Evaluating CO2-to-formic acid electrocatalysts in different device configurations
This study helps identify the most appropriate device hardware and methodology for screening formic acid producing CO2R catalysts in different device configurations: aqueous H-cell, gas diffusion electrode half-cell, and full-cell electrolyzer.
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02655E
Polyoxometalate-Mediated Confined Self-Assembly of Sandwich-Structured Mesoporous Polymer@rGO for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Iodine Batteries
Chem. Commun., 2025, Accepted Manuscript
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC03153B

Low-coordinate calcium peroxide and oxide complexes
A CaI synthon is key to access low-coordinate Ca (per)oxide complexes of which especially the oxide complex is highly reactive and unstable.
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC03340C
Planar chiral orange-red TADF materials with AIE properties for efficient circularly polarized OLEDs
Two orange-red planar chiral thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters exhibit aggregation-induced emission. Their organic light-emitting diodes and circularly polarized devices show low efficiency roll-offs and high dissymmetry factors.
Chem. Commun., 2025, Advance Article
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02694F
Mechanism of metal doping in regulating the boron adsorption performance of Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Boron adsorption on the Fe3O4 surface proceeds through nucleophilic attack of oxygen in Fe–O–H towards the vacant orbital of boron. A good correlation was found between the change of oxygen binding energy and the boron adsorption capacity of M@Fe3O4.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10530-10533
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02174J
Understanding the effects of cellulose polymorphism on hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries
Cellulose I, cellulose II, and cellulose III are the three most common polymorphs of cellulose, and their derived hard carbons exhibit distinct structures and electrochemical performances.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10311-10314
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02307F
Catalytic NH3 oxidation to N2 by hydrogen atom abstraction using a low-valent molybdenum complex
Fac-[(CO)3Mo(PtBu2NPh2)(NH3)] catalyzed NH3 oxidation to N2 using phenoxyl radicals as H atom acceptors generating up to 88 equiv. N2 per Mo centre.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10315-10318
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02433A
Four-electron oxidation and one-electron reduction of the bis(terphenylthiolate) U(II) complex, U(SAriPr6)2 [AriPr6 = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-iPr3)2]
The terphenylthiolate ligands that stabilize the U(II) complex U(SAriPr6)2 with U-arene interactions move out of the way in forming the U(VI) bis(imido) species U(SAriPr6)2(NPh)2(THF)2 or encapsulate a K+ ion in the reduced complex KU(μ-SAriPr6)2.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10319-10322
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02284C
Sn4P3-decorated 2D N-doped carbon nanosheets as efficient polysulfide barriers for Li–S batteries
An Sn4P3-decorated nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet synergistically boosts polysulfide conversion and suppresses diffusion.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10103-10106
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02150B
Near-infrared chemiluminescent probes for monitoring leucine aminopeptidase activity
We report the first sequential near-infrared enzyme-specific chemiluminescent probe by minimizing steric hindrance at the recognition site to deliver robust in situ chemiluminescence.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 10107-10110
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02329G

Nanomorphology tuning in doxorubicin-loaded liposomes via cooling-induced doxorubicin-crystallization and membrane phase transition
Slow cooling produced prolate liposomes containing linear doxorubicin fiber-bundles, whereas rapid cooling gave liposomes containing curved fiber-bundles.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9876-9879
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02434J
A Fe-thiolate layered metal organic framework as a high-performance electrode material for potassium-ion batteries
A Fe-thiolate MOF is capable of accommodating K+ ions electrochemically, achieving low polarization, high capacity utilization and stable cycling performance thanks to Fe3+/Fe2+ reversible redox processes and polyphasic transformations.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9614-9617
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02470F
Urea synthesis via electrocatalytic C–N coupling of CO2 and nitrate on oxygen-vacancy-rich Co3O4–CuO heterostructure nanowires
Co3O4–CuO/CF was synthesized for urea synthesis via electrocatalytic C–N coupling of nitrate and CO2, showing high faradaic efficiency and urea yield due to the formation of a heterostructure and rich oxygen vacancies.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9496-9499
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01629K
Oxidative N-functionalization of primary sulfonamides with aliphatic aldehydes: a green synthesis of α-sulfonamido acetals
An eco-friendly oxidative N-functionalization of sulfonamides with aldehydes using a sodium iodide–sodium percarbonate system achieves high selectivity and yields, enabling drug modification and derivatization for pharmaceutical optimization.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9226-9229
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02379C

Pushing the limit of triplet–triplet annihilation photon upconversion towards the UVC range
A benzene-based annihilator and a high triplet energy sensitizer were combined in an upconversion scheme, emitting photons with unprecedented energy.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9051-9054
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01834J
Conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates using an ionic porous organic cage
An ionic porous organic cage (OFT-RCC36+6Br−) served as a metal-free catalyst for the solvent-free conversion of CO2 into cyclic carbonates, achieving high catalytic turnover.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 9055-9058
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01691F

Boramidine: a boron-based photoacidic fluorophore
Boramidine, a small organic fluorophore, is protonated in water and highly protic media and behaves as a photoacid upon optical excitation.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8863-8866
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02043C
Nanocubic mixed-halide perovskite superlattices for bright red light-emitting diodes
LEDs based on nanocubic CsPb(IxBr1−x)3 achieved a maximum EQE of 10.75%, the highest reported for perovskite superlattice bright red LEDs.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8859-8862
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02187A

Carbazole-functionalized Chichibabin diradicaloids with redshifted absorption and enhanced photoluminescence
We report two carbazole-functionalized Chichibabin diradicaloids that in comparison to the parent compound exhibit red-shifted absorption and 2–3-fold brighter emission.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8855-8858
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01805F
Synergistic effect of fluorination and alkyl side-chain engineering on thiazole-based polymer donors for low-cost organic solar cells
We present a series of low-cost polymer donors based on a simple-structured 4-ester-substituted thiazole derivative, proposed as promising candidates for high-performance organic solar cells.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8659-8662
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01502B
Preparation and assembly of SiO2@TiO2 photoresponsive colloidal rings
Photoresponsive colloidal rings are synthesized, which facilitate controlled self-assembly of open crystallites and also enable hybrid-assembly with passive colloids.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8663-8666
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01902H

Rational design of red-shifted 1,2-azaborinine-based molecular solar thermals
Rational computational design yields push–pull 4,5-substituted 1,2-azaborinines as molecular solar thermals with improved light harvesting.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8351-8354
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01963J
Arylative double bond transposition of allylic alcohols via silicon-tethered intramolecular benzyne–ene reactions
Silicon-tethered benzyne–ene reactions efficiently convert allylic alcohols to aryl-substituted homoallylic alcohols, offering excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity with a broad substrate scope.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8347-8350
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01918D
Restructuring of mortise-and-tenon frameworks at the molecular level
Restructuring of mortise-and-tenon frameworks at the molecular level has never been achieved. Here, in this work, the inaugural instance of such restructuring within molecular mortise-and-tenon joints has been reported.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8343-8346
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01967B
Mechanochemically synthesized covalent organic frameworks as catalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction
Synthesis of vinyl-containing COFs using an efficient and rapid mechanochemical method.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8184-8187
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC02179K
Isolable GaN-based analogues of Thiele's and Chichibabin's hydrocarbons
Treatment of two equivalents of Trip2GaCl (Trip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) with pyrazine and 4,4′-bipyridine affords adducts 1 and 2 in high yields.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8192-8195
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01531F
Planting MoS2 nanosheets so that they stand vertically on a substrate using a dynamic magnetic field
The arrayed MoS2 nanosheets are planted on specific substrates by a dynamic magnetic field at a rate of more than 1.5 μm min−1.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8188-8191
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01856K

Confinement-supported aurophilic interaction
Au⋯Au interaction from a bisphosphine Au(I) complex without a bridging ligand.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8003-8006
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01540E
Multi-cavity discrete coordination cages encapsulating up to four units of pyrazine-N,N′-dioxide: molecular soybeans
A family of Pd3L4, Pd4L4, and Pd5L4-type cages possessing two, three and four cavities, capable of encapsulating up to two, three and four units of pyrazine-N,N'-dioxide (PZDO), respectively.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 8007-8010
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01107H
CsMgGa5S9: a diamond-like network made of mixed tetrahedral units for excellent nonlinear optical properties
CsMgGa5S9 features a diamond-like framework with uniformly stacked mixed tetrahedral units and embedded Cs+ ions.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7608-7611
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC00203F
Anchoring and post-depositional growth enables matrix manipulation of PbS QD inks and efficient solar cells
We report an innovative APDG approach to control the matrix thickness in PbS quantum dot films, significantly enhancing photovoltaic performance.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7426-7429
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01816A
Self-anchored nickel cocatalyst on nitrogen-doped carbon dots for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
We present a self-anchored nickel on nitrogen-doped carbon dots co-catalyst on carbon nitride nanosheets for enhancing photocatalytic H2 production.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7430-7433
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01274K
Halide-mediated Ag–Zn batteries in alkaline electrolytes
Halide-mediated Ag–Zn batteries with excellent cycling performance by suppressing the shuttle effect and cathode dissolution.
Chem. Commun., 2025,61, 7285-7288
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5CC01489A
About this collection
This ongoing web-collection features the articles published in ChemComm in 2025 that have been marked as HOT by our Editors and trusted Reviewers. Many Congratulations to all those featured!