Communications Chemistry

Just out: Dynamics of CO photooxidation to CO2 on rutile (110)

A fluorescent probe under the microscope showing dual recognition of B-DNA and G-quadruplex DNA Communications Chemistry, Published online: 10 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01960-5Although the use of small molecules as fluorescent markers for detecting different DNA conformations has been explored extensively, achieving specific structural relationships between probe and DNA conformations remains challenging. Here, the authors present a computational protocol for identifying the specific combination of probe conformations that enables a selective probe–DNA binding mechanism in a recently proposed fluorescent marker, QCy(MeBT)₃, capable of simultaneously recognizing both B-DNA and G-quadruplex DNA through distinct emission signatures.

Just out: A fluorescent probe under the microscope showing dual recognition of B-DNA and G-quadruplex DNA

Optimizing photon conversion routes in cinnamate derivatives Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01963-2Derivatizing photoisomers to increase their rate of isomerisation enables the optimization of photon-to-heat conversion. Here, the authors designed derivatives of methyl cinnamate to investigate how substitution can tailor internal conversion from electronically excited states along photoisomerisation pathways, both in solution and in vacuo.

Just out: Optimizing photon conversion routes in cinnamate derivatives

Just out: Clarifying the origin of pseudocapacitance from a perspective of RuO2

ABEL-FRET bridges the timescale gap in single-molecule measurements of the structural dynamics in the A2A adenosine receptor Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01941-8Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) can be used to probe the structural dynamics underlying the functional complexity of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), however, the approach is limited to specific timescales. Here, the authors use smFRET with anti-Brownian electrokinetic (ABEL) trapping to extend the observation time of untethered A2A adenosine receptors (A2AAR) embedded in lipid nanodiscs from milliseconds to seconds, characterizing conformational heterogeneity in both apo and ligand-bound A2AAR and updating previous estimates of dwell times for long-lived receptor states.

Just out: ABEL-FRET bridges the timescale gap in single-molecule measurements of the structural dynamics in the A2A adenosine receptor

Frustrated magnetism in 227 rare-earth iridium pyrochlores Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01918-7The A₂Ir₂O₇ iridium pyrochlores series exibit an interplay between a 5d Ir sublattice and, in many members, a magnetic 4f A-site sublattice, which gives rise to a hierarchy of coupled structural, magnetic, and transport phenomena that may support magnetic monopole-like excitations that can enable novel magnetoelectric responses. In this Review, the authors discuss a unified framework linking lattice geometry, f-d exchange, and spin–orbit-driven anisotropies, summarising key experimental advances and outlining future research directions aimed at detecting and controlling magnetic monopole-like excitations through magnetic fields, electric fields, and lattice perturbations.

Just out: Frustrated magnetism in 227 rare-earth iridium pyrochlores

Just out: Zero- to ultralow-field J-spectroscopy with a diamond magnetometer

Modulation of sonochemical reactions by cavitation driven thermal degradation of aqueous salts solutions Communications Chemistry, Published online: 05 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01961-4Enhancing the yield of radical reactions generated by ultrasonic cavitation in aqueous media has historically focused on the role of volatile or surfactant molecules entering within the bubbles to scavenge aqueous radicals. Here, the authors report an unexpected scavenging mechanism activated by thermal degradation of salts exposed to the transient hot temperatures generated by ultrasound in homogeneous solutions, with an effect on radical selectivity as function of the salts tested leading to an increase of reactive oxygen species or H2 gas, or to the formation of oxidizing species, revealing a new approach for modulating sonochemical reactions in aqueous solutions.

Just out: Modulation of sonochemical reactions by cavitation driven thermal degradation of aqueous salts solutions

Accelerated synthesis of immunomodulatory imide drugs and their derivatives via continuous flow chemistry Communications Chemistry, Published online: 03 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01956-1Immunomodulatory imide drugs, including lenalidomide, are crucial to the treatment of multiple myeloma, yet existing manufacturing routes are inefficient and time-consuming. Here, the authors present an integrated continuous-flow synthesis platform with improved solvent compatibility and process efficiency for the production of lenalidomide, pomalidomide and their derivatives.

Just out: Accelerated synthesis of immunomodulatory imide drugs and their derivatives via continuous flow chemistry

Towards green magnesium preparation using a recyclable argon plasma anode for continuous electrolysis in molten chlorides Communications Chemistry, Published online: 03 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01958-zGraphite anodes are prone to consumption and fragmentation during magnesium electrolysis, disrupting normal operation and releasing greenhouse gases. Here, the authors report a continuous, carbon-free approach using stable argon plasma as the anode, showing that the presence of Ar+, which increases with current, facilitates chloride oxidation during magnesium molten salt electrolysis.

Just out: Towards green magnesium preparation using a recyclable argon plasma anode for continuous electrolysis in molten chlorides

A state-switchable TADF macrocycle for multi-analyte sensing and hydrogen gas-driven emission enhancement Communications Chemistry, Published online: 02 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01953-4Host–guest frameworks can exhibit thermally-activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), but the role of the cavity environment on TADF modulation remains underexplored. Here, the authors study a TADF-active macrocycle, CPCQ, in the presence of small molecular guests and under various gaseous environments, showing that electron-deficient guests and oxygen gas reduce fluorescence signals while electron-rich guests and hydrogen enhance delayed fluorescence and fluorescence, respectively.

Just out: A state-switchable TADF macrocycle for multi-analyte sensing and hydrogen gas-driven emission enhancement

Just out: Diels-Alder reaction affords circumpyrene tetracarboxydiimide with excited state intramolecular charge transfer character

Just out: Design of benzo[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene-4,5-dione based donor-acceptor-donor small molecules for efficient near-infrared photothermal therapy

Just out: Disentangling coevolutionary constraints for modeling protein conformational heterogeneity

Robust triboelectric energy harvesters engineered from electrochemically deposited films of HKUST-1 polycrystals Communications Chemistry, Published online: 25 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01949-0Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising for powering compact electronics, but integrating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) remains challenging due to attachment issues. Here, the authors use electrochemical deposition to create stable HKUST-1 films on copper electrodes, achieving high voltage output and power density, with excellent stability across varying humidity levels.

Just out: Robust triboelectric energy harvesters engineered from electrochemically deposited films of HKUST-1 polycrystals

Electrochemical Ferrier rearrangement of glycals in flow Communications Chemistry, Published online: 25 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01948-1Ferrier rearrangement is a key reaction in carbohydrate chemistry, however, harsh conditions limit its efficiency and scalability. Here, the authors develop a sustainable continuous-flow electrochemical method using an undivided microreactor equipped with graphite electrodes, affording a wide range of 2,3-unsaturated glycosyl derivatives in high yields, productivity and electron efficiency.

Just out: Electrochemical Ferrier rearrangement of glycals in flow

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Indirect ubiquitination independent of endogenous ubiquitination machinery for targeted protein degradation - Communications Chemistry Heterobifunctional small degrader molecules that tether endogenous E3 ubiquitin ligases are promising substrates for targeted protein degradation, however, the precise formation of the E3 ligase–targe...

Check out this creative and alternative approach to induce targeted protein degradation published @commschem.nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s42...

On the unexpected mechanism of isomerization in tautomerizable azo photoswitches Communications Chemistry, Published online: 24 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01952-5Azobenzene photoswitches have garnered significant attention for their potential in light-responsive materials, yet challenges remain in understanding their thermal cis-trans isomerization. Here, the authors employ advanced quantum chemical methods to elucidate the rapid thermal switching mechanism in the hydrazone tautomer, revealing puckering of the tautomeric nitrogen as a key factor for accelerating isomerization kinetics.

Just out: On the unexpected mechanism of isomerization in tautomerizable azo photoswitches

Just out: Cobalt single-atom and nano catalysts for efficient transfer hydrodeoxygenation of vanillin with formic acid

Advances in solid handling for continuous flow synthesis of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals Communications Chemistry, Published online: 23 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01954-3Continuous flow chemistry enhances pharmaceutical and specialty chemical synthesis but struggles with solid management, causing clogging and scalability issues. Here, the authors review recent strategies developed to overcome these obstacles, highlighting advancements that strengthen flow-based manufacturing’s role in chemical production.

Just out: Advances in solid handling for continuous flow synthesis of specialty chemicals and pharmaceuticals

Just out: Single-scan detection of ligand-binding using hyperpolarization and low-field relaxation

The ADePT framework for assessing autonomous laboratory robotics Communications Chemistry, Published online: 20 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01932-9Laboratory robotics is shifting from scripted automation towards autonomous systems that can perceive, decide and act robustly in real experimental environments. Here, the authors introduce the ADePT framework, comprising adaptability and learning, dexterity, perception and task complexity, to benchmark robotic capability, expose key bottlenecks and chart practical routes towards truly self-driving laboratories.

Just out: The ADePT framework for assessing autonomous laboratory robotics

Just out: Adsorption of organic donor-acceptor molecules on graphene/SiC preserves light-induced charge transfer

A conformational benchmark for optical property prediction with solvent-aware graph neural networks Communications Chemistry, Published online: 18 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01944-5Current graph neural networks (GNNs) for the prediction of optical properties in molecules operate on 2D graphs, potentially overlooking 3D geometrical features underlying excited-state behaviour. Here, the authors present nablaColors, a curated dataset for the prediction of optical properties consisting of 26,369 chromophore-solvent pairs with three conformations optimized at different levels of theory, establishing a scaffold-split benchmark for 3D GNNs, and propose a solvent-aware modification for pretrained SE(3)-invariant GNN architectures.

Just out: A conformational benchmark for optical property prediction with solvent-aware graph neural networks

Enhanced third-order optical nonlinearity in a dipolar carbene-metal-amide material with two-photon excited delayed fluorescence Communications Chemistry, Published online: 17 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01928-5The development of advanced photonic materials exhibiting two-photon absorption (2PA) relies on nonlinear absorption chromophores with enhanced 2PA cross-sections and long-term photo- and thermal stability. Here, the authors report a dipolar carbene-metal-amide (CMA) with a 2PA cross-section up to 105 GM that exhibits third-order nonlinear optical properties — red two-photon–excited thermally activated delayed fluorescence with radiative rates of up to 2.1·106 s–1 — while maintaining excellent photostability.

Just out: Enhanced third-order optical nonlinearity in a dipolar carbene-metal-amide material with two-photon excited delayed fluorescence

Orthologue inference-based enzyme mining for diversification of the anti-cancer evodiamine scaffold Communications Chemistry, Published online: 17 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-025-01876-6Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases can functionalize alkaloid scaffolds with striking stereo- and regioselectivity. Here, the authors integrate bioinformatics and enzyme discovery to identify P450 monooxygenases capable of selectively functionalizing anticancer alkaloid evodiamine, revealing their catalytic activities and potential application in diversifying pharmacologically important compounds.

Just out: Orthologue inference-based enzyme mining for diversification of the anti-cancer evodiamine scaffold

Self-healing chemical systems This cross-journal Collection highlights experimental and theoretical advances in the design, characterization, mechanistic understanding and application of ...

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A machine learning-based pharmacokinetics predictor (EGFR-PROPK) for EGFR-targeting PROTACs Communications Chemistry, Published online: 16 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01938-3Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a promising strategy for targeted protein degradation, yet optimizing their pharmacokinetic properties remains challenging. Here, the authors develop the EGFR-PROPK model using machine learning and molecular fingerprints, enhancing prediction accuracy for pharmacokinetics of EGFR-targeting PROTAC molecules.

Just out: A machine learning-based pharmacokinetics predictor (EGFR-PROPK) for EGFR-targeting PROTACs

Enabling multi-target drug discovery through latent evolutionary optimization and synthesis-aware prioritization (EVOSYNTH) Communications Chemistry, Published online: 16 February 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01945-4Complex diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration involve interconnected biological pathways that limit the effectiveness of single-target therapies. Here, the authors introduce EVOSYNTH, a synthesis-aware multi-target drug discovery framework that integrates latent evolutionary optimization with retrosynthetic prioritization and demonstrates its ability to generate potent and experimentally actionable candidates through representative case studies in Alzheimer’s disease and ovarian cancer.

Just out: Enabling multi-target drug discovery through latent evolutionary optimization and synthesis-aware prioritization (EVOSYNTH)