Communications Chemistry <p><em>Communications Chemistry</em>&nbsp;is an open access journal from Nature Portfolio publishing high-quality research, reviews and commentary in all areas of the chemical sciences. Research papers published by the journal represent significant advances bringing new chemical insight to a specialized area of research. We also aim to provide a community forum for issues of importance to all chemists, regardless of sub-discipline.</p> <p>Scope includes, but is not limited to, the core subject areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and materials chemistry, and covers the broad spectrum of chemical research including chemical biology, catalysis, computational chemistry, energy materials, green chemistry, environmental chemistry, medicinal chemistry, polymer chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, chemical nanoscience and surface chemistry. &nbsp;We also consider submissions from adjacent research fields where the central advance of the study is of interest to chemists, for example biochemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and nanoscience.</p> <p>The submission and review processes are managed by our in-house professional editors supported by our Editorial Board Members, who provide technical expertise across the breadth of the chemical&nbsp;sciences. We are committed to rapid dissemination of important research results. Articles are published on a continuous basis with minimal time from acceptance to publication.</p> http://feeds.nature.com/commschem/rss/current Nature Publishing Group en © 2024 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. Communications Chemistry © 2024 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. permissions@nature.com Communications Chemistry https://www.nature.com/uploads/product/commschem/rss.gif http://feeds.nature.com/commschem/rss/current <![CDATA[Chemoenzymatic tandem cyclization for the facile synthesis of bicyclic peptides]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01147-w Communications Chemistry, Published online: 28 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01147-w

Bicyclic peptides exhibit improved metabolic stabilities, membrane permeabilities, and target specificities over their linear and mono-cyclic counterparts, however, efficient bicyclization remains challenging. Here, the authors develop a one-pot tandem chemoenzymatic bicyclization by combination of penicillin-binding protein-type thioesterase-mediated head-to-tail macrolactamization and copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition.]]>
Masakazu KobayashiNaho OnozawaKenichi MatsudaToshiyuki Wakimoto doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01147-w Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-28; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01147-w 2024-03-28 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01147-w https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01147-w
<![CDATA[Dynamics of bulk and surface oxide evolution in copper foams for electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01151-0 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 28 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01151-0

Oxide-derived copper materials display high catalytic activities for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, but the mechanisms surrounding this high performance are not fully understood. Here, the authors use time-resolved operando spectroscopy to probe the structural dynamics of copper oxide reduction and reformation, both in the bulk and on the surface of copper foam catalysts.]]>
2 reduction]]> Fan YangShan JiangSi LiuPaul BeyerStefan MebsMichael HaumannChristina RothHolger Dau doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01151-0 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-28; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01151-0 2024-03-28 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01151-0 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01151-0
<![CDATA[Computational mechanistic investigation of the kinetic resolution of α-methyl-phenylacetaldehyde by norcoclaurine synthase]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01146-x Communications Chemistry, Published online: 27 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01146-x

Norcoclaurine synthase from Thalictrum flavum (TfNCS) has been demonstrated to display high stereospecificity and yield in catalyzing the Pictet-Spengler reaction of dopamine with chiral aldehydes, however, the mechanism and factors related to this high stereospecificity remain unclear. Here, the authors conduct quantum chemical calculations and reveal the rate-limiting step and differential energy barriers for the reactions of two enantiomers of α-methylphenylacetaldehyde, as well as key residues related to stereospecificity.]]>
Shiqing ZhangChenghua ZhangAijing GuoBaoyan LiuHao SuXiang Sheng doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01146-x Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-27; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01146-x 2024-03-27 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01146-x https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01146-x
<![CDATA[The reaction mechanism of the <i>Ideonella sakaiensis</i> PETase enzyme]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01154-x Communications Chemistry, Published online: 27 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01154-x

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be depolymerized by the Ideonella sakaiensis PETase enzyme, however, questions remain about the precise catalytic mechanism. Here, the authors use unbiased QM/MM MD simulations to determine optimal mechanistic descriptions of the acylation and deacylation reactions, revealing the rate-limiting step and key interactions within the catalytic triad and Trp185 conformation.]]>
Ideonella sakaiensis PETase enzyme]]> Tucker BurginBenjamin C. PollardBrandon C. KnottHeather B. MayesMichael F. CrowleyJohn E. McGeehanGregg T. BeckhamH. Lee Woodcock doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01154-x Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-27; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01154-x 2024-03-27 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01154-x https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01154-x
<![CDATA[The rise of data repositories in materials chemistry]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01143-0 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 22 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01143-0

FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) data practices are necessary to expedite knowledge discovery, encourage collaboration, and optimise resource use, fostering a robust foundation for future scientific progress. Here, the authors explore the use of FAIR practices to advance materials chemistry research, examining key repositories, highlighting their role in sharing scientific data, and examining the accessibility of these approaches.]]>
Konstantin StrackeJack D. Evans doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01143-0 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-22; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01143-0 2024-03-22 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01143-0 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01143-0
<![CDATA[Organomediated polymerization]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01134-1 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 21 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01134-1

Communications Chemistry is pleased to introduce a Collection of articles focused on organomediated polymerization. Here, the Guest Editors highlight the themes within and look towards the future of this research field.]]>
Satoshi HondaKarin OdeliusHaritz Sardon doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01134-1 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-21; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01134-1 2024-03-21 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01134-1 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01134-1
<![CDATA[Paper-based electrochemical device for early detection of integrin αvβ6 expressing tumors]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01144-z Communications Chemistry, Published online: 21 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01144-z

The detection of cancer in its early stages can greatly prevent disease development, however, current technologies for tumor detection present several limitations. Here, the authors develop a paper-based electrochemical device for detecting cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (S-EVs) in fluids, recognizing αvβ6-containing S-EVs down to a limit of 0.7*103 S-EVs/mL with a linear range up to 105 S-EVs/mL.]]>
Stefano CintiStefano TomassiChiara CiardielloRossella MigliorinoMarinella PirozziAlessandra LeoneElena Di GennaroVirginia CampaniGiuseppe De RosaVincenzo Maria D’AmoreSalvatore Di MaroGreta DonatiSima SinghAda RaucciFrancesco Saverio Di LevaHorst KesslerAlfredo BudillonLuciana Marinelli doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01144-z Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-21; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01144-z 2024-03-21 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01144-z https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01144-z
<![CDATA[Synergetic binary organocatalyzed ring opening polymerization for the precision synthesis of polysiloxanes]]> https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01140-3 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 21 March 2024; doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01140-3

Organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a versatile method for synthesizing well-defined polymers, however, precision synthesis of polysiloxanes remains challenging due to a mismatch in polarity between initiators, monomers, and polymers and the formation of scrambling products. Here, the authors describe a binary organocatalytic ROP of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane employing organic bases as catalysts and (thio)urea as cocatalysts, achieving solubilization of multifunctional silanol initiators and 90% monomer conversion.]]>
Hiroshi OkamotoAtsushi SogabeSatoshi Honda doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01140-3 Communications Chemistry, Published online: 2024-03-21; | doi:10.1038/s42004-024-01140-3 2024-03-21 Communications Chemistry 10.1038/s42004-024-01140-3 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-024-01140-3