Organic Chemistry Frontiers

🔔Issue 5 is available! Please read the cover article:

Electrochemically driven reductive coupling of nitroarenes with alkyl bromides by Jiayu Mo 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.

#Electrochemistry #OrganicSynthesis #CrossCoupling

#Free_to_read
🔗https://doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01269D

@agranados.bsky.social

🔔Back cover of Issue 4 showcases research from Carolina Gimbert-Suriñach, Adelina Vallribera, Albert Granados 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.

EDA-complex photoactivation of thianthrene-based radical precursors enables divergent access to functionalized saturated heterocycles

#Free_to_read
doi.org/10.1039/D5QO...

🔔Inside cover of Issue 4 presents

Multigram synthesis and physicochemical evaluation of (oxa)azaspiro[2.𝘯]alkane building blocks by Oleksandr O. Grygorenko 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.

#Spirocycles #SpiroChemistry #Azaspiro #MedicinalChemistry #MultigramSynthesis

#Free_to_read
doi.org/10.1039/D5QO...

🔔Welcome to Issue 4! Please read the cover article:

“Metallic electrocatalyzed C–N bond formation: new catalytic modes and technologies” by Zhao-Zhao Zhou

This review highlights the recent developments in metallic electrocatalyzed C–N bond formation with new technologies.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO...

Remote controlled supramolecular switching using a ring-substituted peri-naphthoindigo derivative Unlike artificial self-assemblies, many biological systems often rely on indirect input for their adaptive structures and function. To reduce the stark differences with their natural counterparts, art...

🌊Remote controlled supramolecular switching using a ring-substituted 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪-naphthoindigo derivative
by Kingsuk Mahata 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.

Diffusion enables fully reversible, waste-free acid switching. 🔄

doi.org/10.1039/D4QO...
#SupramolecularChemistry #SelfAssembly #MolecularSwitch

We are delighted to announce the Best @orgchemfront.rsc.org Covers of 2025! Read below the scientific papers behind each winning piece.

Back cover Issue 02 doi.org/10.1039/D4QO...
Front cover Issue 09 doi.org/10.1039/D5QO...
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🎉 2025 Most-Popular Articles in Organic Chemistry Frontiers

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, we’re highlighting a curated selection of 2025’s most popular papers.

blogs.rsc.org/qo/2026/02/1...

🆓 Free to read until 20 March.

#OrganicChemistry #OCF #RSC

🏆Our annual poll for "Best Covers of the Year" at 𝘖𝘳𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘴 is back.

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Iridium(III)-catalyzed site-selective indole C–H functionalization through enone functionality: design, mechanism and applications Transition-metal-catalyzed C–H activation has been a powerful platform for straightforward molecular functionalization, yet the mechanistic intricacies often remain elusive. Here, we report an iridium...

Recent research by Tetsuhiro Nemoto's team.
#ChibaUniversity

Authors report an iridium(III)-catalyzed strategy for direct C4–H amination of indoles, followed by acid-promoted ring closure, to afford 3,4-fused azepinoindoles in the shortest synthetic sequence reported to date.

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of polyoxygenated 3-arylidenechroman-4-ones: a powerful tool for the total synthesis of natural homoisoflavonoids A mild and highly efficient one-pot asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of challenging, electron-rich 3-arylidenechroman-4-ones is reported. The protocol utilizes a Ru(ii)-catalyst under neutral c...

Research article by Guilherme S. Caleffi's team.
#UFRJ

A mild and highly efficient one-pot asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of challenging, electron-rich 3-arylidenechroman-4-ones is reported.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01629K

A decade of advances in alkynyl sulfone and alkynyl chalcogenide synthesis Over the past decade, the synthesis of alkynyl sulfones and alkynyl chalcogen derivatives has witnessed significant advances. Modern methodologies have increasingly focused on sustainable protocols, c...

Don't miss the outside back cover article of issue 1:

A decade of advances in alkynyl sulfone and alkynyl chalcogenide synthesis by Angelita M. Barcellos, Alex F. C. Flores, Gabriel P. da Costa 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.

Benzoheterocyclic [b]-fused BODIPYs: synthesis and effects of N, O, and S on structure, photophysical properties, and aggregation Next-generation optoelectronic devices require organic small-molecule light-emitters with high luminous efficiency and strong resistance to non-radiative decay. BODIPY dyes fulfill these criteria, par...

Issue 1 of Organic Chemistry Frontiers is available now! In this issue read the outside front cover article:

Benzoheterocyclic [b]-fused BODIPYs: synthesis and effects of N, O, and S on structure, photophysical properties, and aggregation by Xiangguang Li, Yanhua Yang, Wei Jiang 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.

Isoquinoline-catalyzed visible-light-mediated 1,2-/1,4-thiosulfonylation difunctionalization reaction of thiosulfates with alkenes We have developed a novel method for the 1,2-/1,4-thiosulfonylation bifunctional reaction of thiosulfates with non-aromatic olefins. This approach eliminates the need for metal catalysts or photocatal...

Research article by Jiahong Li's team.
#SWJTU

Authors have developed a novel method for the 1,2-/1,4-thiosulfonylation bifunctional reaction of thiosulfates with non-aromatic olefins.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01570G

Brønsted acid-catalyzed synthesis of trifluoromethylated azulenes via cyclization of 1-phenyl-2-CF3-1,3-enynes Azulene and its derivatives are important scaffolds with broad applications. The introduction of a trifluoromethyl group is an efficient way to enhance the activity and physicochemical properties of d...

Research article by Yuhan Zhou's team.
#DLUT

Authors report a simple, Brønsted acid-catalyzed, intramolecular annulation of 1-phenyl-2-CF3-1,3-enynes for the efficient construction of valuable trifluoromethyl-substituted azulenes.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01617G

Photoredox-enabled C(sp3)–H functionalization of amines through iminium ions, radicals, and carbanions The direct functionalization of C(sp3)–H bonds in amines has emerged as a powerful and atom economical strategy for constructing structurally diverse nitrogen-containing molecules without requiring pr...

Review article by Guo-Qiang Xu's team
#LanzhouUniversity

This review provides a comprehensive, mechanism-oriented summary of recent developments in photoredox-catalyzed C(sp³)–H functionalization of amines.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01507C

Pd/Cu/TsOH-cocatalysed direct synthesis of 1,3-dienyl-2-boronic acid: a new reagent for homoallenylboration The homoallenylboration of carbonyls and imines using 1,3-dienyl-2-boron reagents is an appealing strategy for accessing synthetically valuable homoallenyl alcohols and amines. Nevertheless, existing ...

Research artilce by Jian Zhao's team.
#NJUST

In this study, authors present a novel class of 1,3-dienyl-2-boronic acids that are specifically designed for homoallenylboration.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01521A

Class-II-aldolase-mimicking polyfunctional Lewis acid/azolium–aryloxide catalysts in direct enantioselective nitro-aldol additions The catalytic asymmetric nitroaldol reaction is a powerful tool for accessing chiral 1,2-difunctionalized motifs, and numerous catalytic systems have been reported. Despite considerable progress in ac...

#OpenAccess article by René Peters's team.
#UNI-STUTTGART

In this article, a novel concept for asymmetric nitroaldol additions is introduced through a polyfunctional catalyst.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01558H

Photocatalytic fluoroalkyl radical-initiated construction of fluorinated heterocycles: mechanisms and applications Fluorine-containing heterocycles hold exceptional value across pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science owing to fluorine's distinctive electronic effects, lipophilicity, and capacity to ...

This review consolidates progress since 2018, systematically dissecting the mechanisms of photocatalytic fluoroalkyl radical-driven formation of five-, six-, and seven-membered fluorinated heterocycles.

Read article by Kai Sun's team from #XuchangUniversity.
doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01484K

Controlling structural and photophysical properties in sequentially methylated phenoxazines The “magic methyl” effect is widely regarded as one of the most extraordinary features in small-molecule drug design and has recently been recognized as a subtle yet powerful tool for fine-tuning the ...

Research by Jens Voskuhl's team.
#UNI-DUE

Authors investigated how steric pressure influences the structural and photophysical attributes in a series of sequentially methylated phenoxazines.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01437A

Metallic electrocatalyzed C–N bond formation: new catalytic modes and technologies The current state-of-the-art hot research topic of C–N bond formation is focused on versatile and mild transformations. Conventional transition metal-catalyzed methods are typically conducted using sp...

Review article by Zhao-Zhao Zhou.
#NanchangNormalUniversity

Author reviews recent advances in metallic electrocatalyzed C–N bond formation, emphasizing mild methodologies, mechanistic insights, and synthetic applications.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01467K

Pd/Cu/TsOH-cocatalysed direct synthesis of 1,3-dienyl-2-boronic acid: a new reagent for homoallenylboration The homoallenylboration of carbonyls and imines using 1,3-dienyl-2-boron reagents is an appealing strategy for accessing synthetically valuable homoallenyl alcohols and amines. Nevertheless, existing ...

Research by Jian Zhao's team.
#NJUST

Authors present a novel class of 1,3-dienyl-2-boronic acids that are specifically designed for homoallenylboration.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01521A

Recent advances in the total synthesis of polycyclic phloroglucinol natural products The total synthesis of polycyclic phloroglucinol natural products has attracted significant attention from the chemistry community in recent years, owing to their challenging structural frameworks and...

#Review article by Chuang-Chuang Li's team.

Authors provide a brief summary of the recent advancements in synthetic strategies targeting polycyclic phloroglucinol natural products, as well as their isolation and biological activities.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01477H

Bridging terpenyl aldehydes and terpenes with hydrazine In nature, terpenoids are typically biosynthesized through the catalysis of specific enzymes, while the artificial synthesis of unnatural terpenoids has garnered increasing attention. Herein, we have ...

#OpenAccess article by Qing-An Chen's team.
#DICP

Authors developed a molecular-bridging strategy that enables the preparation of unnatural terpenoids from natural terpenyl aldehydes and terpenes, expanding the potential applications of natural terpenoids.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01443C

Telescoped continuous flow synthesis of benzimidazoles from o-phenylenediamines and carboxylic acids Benzimidazole and its derivatives are a versatile class of scaffolds found in a variety of pharmaceuticals and synthetic chemistry. Herein, we describe a continuous flow method for the telescoped synt...

Recent research by Yongjun Zang's team.

Authors describe a continuous flow method for the telescoped synthesis of benzimidazoles from o-phenylenediamines and carboxylic acids via monoacylation and subsequent acid-catalyzed cyclization.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01526J

Selective defluorinative [4 + 3] annulation to access fluorinated oxazepines and thiazepines Fluorinated seven-membered heterocycles are rare yet highly valuable motifs in drug discovery due to their conformational diversity and improved pharmacological profiles. Here, we present a novel, pra...

Recent research by Keyume Ablajan's team.
#XinjiangUniversity

Authors present a novel, practical, and mild base-mediated SN2′/SNV and ipso-/γ-selective defluorinative annulation of heteroaryl-based bis-nucleophiles with α-CF3-styrenes.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01324K

Hot research by Alakesh Bisai's team.
#IISERKOL

Authors develop an organocatalytic, enantio- and diastereoselective alkylation strategy enabling efficient synthesis of bis(cyclotryptamine) alkaloids and concise total syntheses of (+)-calycanthidine and (+)-idiospermuline.
doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01482D

Synthesis, twofold oxidative cyclization and dual emission of diaryl-substituted benzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes The syntheses of three 3,8-diaryl-substituted benzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes (BDTFs) and two doubly o-phenylene-bridged BDTFs are presented. These syntheses require careful consideration of the ste...

Recent research by Hak-Fun Chow's team.
#CUHK

The syntheses of three 3,8-diaryl-substituted benzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes (BDTFs) and two doubly o-phenylene-bridged BDTFs are presented.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01298H

Synthesis, twofold oxidative cyclization and dual emission of diaryl-substituted benzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes The syntheses of three 3,8-diaryl-substituted benzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes (BDTFs) and two doubly o-phenylene-bridged BDTFs are presented. These syntheses require careful consideration of the ste...

The syntheses of three 3,8-diaryl-substituted benzodithieno[5.5.5.6]fenestranes (BDTFs) and two doubly o-phenylene-bridged BDTFs are presented.

Read the research by Hak-Fun Chow's team.
doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01298H

Photo and mechanochemically induced reduction of nitroarenes using ammonia borane This study presents an advanced approach for the reduction of nitroarenes to anilines, employing cucurbit[7]uril as a catalyst and ammonia borane as a hydrogen source, signifying noteworthy progressio...

Recent research by Viktor O. Iaroshenko 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭.
#MatejBelUniversity

This study presents an improved reduction of nitroarenes to anilines using cucurbit[7]uril and ammonia borane, marking progress in photochemical supramolecular catalysis.

doi.org/10.1039/D5QO01451D