Atmospheric water harvesting is a promising solution to freshwater shortage because it is not limited by location. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention for low-humidity applications due to their large surface areas and strong water adsorption capacities. In this study, the desorption efficiency of MOF-based adsorbents under solar heating was improved by adding efficient photothermal materials. MOF-303 was combined with Fe3O4, MWCNTs, and Ti3C2 by ball milling. Characterization analysis of the composite materials' morphology, elemental distribution, crystal structure, and functional group changes demonstrated that the composite formation was successful. The results showed that compared to the original MOF-303, adding 10 wt % photothermal material greatly improved light absorption, leading to faster solar heating and quicker water desorption. However, the introduction of photothermal materials leads to a reduction in the effective adsorption sites within the composite materials, resulting in lower saturated water absorption capacities for all three composites compared to the original MOF-303. Among the three composite materials, Ti3C2/MOF-303 shows the best overall performance. Under 40% RH conditions, the material increased water vapor adsorption from 0 g/g to 0.382 g/g within 30 min. After 20 min of irradiation at 1 sun, the surface temperature of the material rapidly rose to 87.4 °C, reducing the remaining water content to 11.3%. Under the same conditions, the original MOF-303 had a water vapor adsorption of 0.42 g/g, a surface temperature of 59.8 °C after irradiation, and a remaining water content of about 31.7%. Taking 30% RH as an example, the Ti3C2/MOF-303 water vapor adsorption capacity is about 8.1% lower than that of the original MOF-303. During desorption at 85 °C, it takes approximately 20 min to achieve complete desorption, which is 20% shorter than that of the original MOF-303.

Optically active compounds are abundant in nature and are of fundamental interest for organic, medicinal, and material chemistry. Catalytic transformation of readily available racemic compounds into the same value-added enantiomeric products is one of the most efficient and cost-effective protocols. Herein, an SN2'-type enantioselective reaction of racemic propargylic alcohols with aryl boronic acids (both are readily available) under a rhodium catalyst empowered by a new phosphoramidite-olefin bidentate ligand affording tetrasubstituted enantioenriched allenes has been unveiled. A pair of diastereomeric vinylic rhodium species with an allylic hydroxyl group has been identified and characterized by ESI-MS and TWIM-MS. Based on the X-ray diffraction data of the catalyst and other mechanistic studies, it is confirmed that the reaction is a conceptually new approach of parallel path enantio-convergent transformation, which is different from the classic dynamic kinetic resolution and dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations.

Catalytic carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions provide the basis for synthetic organic chemistry. To move towards a circular carbon economy, it is imperative to efficiently convert sustainable and inexpensive starting materials, e.g. broadly available renewable feedstocks, in an economically viable and practical manner. In this work, we present a method for the atom-efficient and "waste-free" construction of C-C bonds in ketones with alcohols, including lignin-derived compounds. The broad applicability of thisprotocol is based on the development of a novel heterogeneous cobalt-based single atom catalyst, which is produced by subjecting a cobalt-poly(p-phenylenediamine)-silica template to pyrolysis and subsequently removing residual silica. The most effective catalyst material consists of isolated cobalt atoms with Co-N4 active sites dispersed on mesoporous carbon. The resulting material is both highly stable and reusable. The presented method facilitates the general and selective C-alkylation of aromatic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic ketones, as well as secondary alcohols. Applications include the functionalization of bioactive molecules and the preparation of pharmaceutical drugs and valuable methylated compounds. The value of the cobalt-single atom catalyst is further demonstrated in the industrially relevant C-alkylation of KA oil.

Context. Terrestrial exoplanets are expected to host secondary, high-metallicity atmospheres derived from outgassing of volatiles such as N2, CO2, H2O, CH4, and CO. Photochemical organic hazes are likely to form in such environments, significantly affecting atmospheric observations and planetary habitability. Aims. We investigate haze formation in representative terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres and assess how CH4 versus CO as the primary carbon source affects haze production rates, particle properties, and chemical complexity. Methods. We performed six laboratory simulations by exposing gas mixtures at a few mbar to glow discharge at 300 K. Each atmosphere contained 75% N2, CO2, or H2O, 10% of each of the other two gases, and 5% CH4 or CO. Gas-phase products were analyzed with a residual gas analyzer, and solid products were characterized by production rate, particle density, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and very high-resolution mass spectrometry. Results. CH4 experiments produced more diverse gas-phase species and much higher haze yields than the corresponding CO experiments. CO-derived hazes showed a narrow particle size range of 10-80 nm, whereas CH4-derived hazes were denser and chemically more complex. The identified molecular formulas suggest growth pathways linked to gaseous precursors such as HCN, CH2O, and C2H4. Conclusions. The atmospheric redox state critically controls haze formation in simulated terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres. CH4 is significantly more effective than CO in initiating organic growth, leading to higher haze production rates and greater chemical complexity. These results provide useful constraints for exoplanet atmospheric modeling and spectral interpretation, and further support the possibility that reducing atmospheres may facilitate prebiotic organic chemistry relevant to the emergence of life.

Thalidomide represents one of the most instructive case studies in modern medicinal chemistry, embodying both a historic pharmaceutical tragedy and a remarkable example of drug repurposing and molecular reinvention. Initially introduced as a sedative and antiemetic, its catastrophic teratogenic effects reshaped global drug regulatory frameworks. Decades later, renewed investigation uncovered potent immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory and antiangiogenic activities, leading to its controlled clinical use in erythema nodosum leprosum, multiple myeloma and related disorders. Central to this renaissance was the identification of cereblon as a key molecular target, transforming thalidomide and its analogs into versatile chemical tools for targeted protein degradation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of thalidomide from a synthetic and medicinal chemistry perspective, covering classical and modern synthetic strategies, access to analogs, stereochemical considerations and asymmetric approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on thalidomide‐derived cereblon binders in PROTACs and molecular glue technologies. Beyond protein degradation, the diverse biological activities of thalidomide are discussed, including modulation of cytokines, angiogenesis, and immune signaling pathways. Collectively, thalidomide exemplifies how mechanistic insight, synthetic innovation and careful risk–benefit evaluation can transform a once‐discarded molecule into a cornerstone of contemporary drug design.

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles constitute the core of many approved drugs and clinical candidates, making efficient and predictable C-N bond construction a central objetive in medicinal chemistry. Aliphatic azo compounds, traditionally employed as radical initiators, have recently emerged as versatile programmable nitrogen donors, capable of transferring their nitrogen atoms directly into heterocyclic scaffolds. This review summarizes advances in the reactivity of azoaliphatic derivatives with alkynes, highlighting pathways where nitrogen atoms are retained in the final products and on their implications for drug delivery. Cycloaddition processes provide rapid access to privileged heterocycles such as pyrazoles and pyrroles, scaffolds that are well represented in marketed drugs and support early structure-activity relationship exploration. Complementary radical and carbenoid manifolds enable the formation of hydrazides, atropisomeric frameworks and rarer nitrogen-sulfur motifs, offering increased three-dimensionality and new vectors for tuning potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties. Where available, representative case studies illustrate how these scaffolds have contributed to lead optimization, target selectivity or progression toward clinical evaluation. Beyond reactivity, this review critically evaluates scalability, operational robustness and sustainability to define when azo-alkyne methodologies are realistically applicable in medicinal chemistry workflows. Rather than presenting azo compounds as general-purpose reagents, we frame them as strategic nitrogen donors whose reactivity can be aligned with specific stages of the drug discovery pipeline. When used in this manner, azo-alkyne transformations enable efficient scaffold generation, late-stage diversification and access to underexplored chemical space relevant to modern medicinal chemistry.

ABSTRACT Natural fibers have attracted increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to synthetic reinforcements due to their biodegradability, renewability, and low environmental impact. False banana ( Ensete ventricosum ) fibers, however, contain significant amounts of noncellulosic components such as hemicellulose, lignin, and extractives, which can limit their interfacial performance in composite materials. This study investigates the effects of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) pretreatment at concentrations of 2%–8% combined with Soxhlet benzene–ethanol (2:1 v/v) extraction on the chemical composition and surface morphology of these fibers. Chemical analysis revealed that NaOH treatment substantially reduced extractives from 1.28% to 0.35% and hemicellulose from 16.21% to 9.44%, while lignin content decreased from 19.65% to 15.50%, indicating partial delignification. Thus, the calculated cellulose content increased from 62.87% in untreated fibers to 74.71% after 8% NaOH treatment, reflecting the progressive removal of noncellulosic components rather than an absolute increase in cellulose. Scanning electron microscopy revealed progressive surface cleaning, increased fibrillation, and enhanced surface roughness with increasing NaOH concentration. Fibers treated with 4%–6% NaOH exhibited the most favorable balance between chemical purification and structural integrity, whereas treatment with 8% NaOH resulted in surface microcracks and partial structural degradation due to excessive alkali attack. These findings reveal that the combined NaOH/Soxhlet pretreatment effectively improves both the chemical purity and surface morphology of E. ventricosum fibers, thereby improving their potential as sustainable reinforcement materials for biocomposite applications.

Composite materials have emerged as indispensable engineering solutions across a wide spectrum of industries owing to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, design versatility and superior mechanical characteristics. The present review paper synthesizes existing knowledge on the principal manufacturing processes employed in the fabrication of polymer matrix composites, encompassing both thermoset and thermoplastic processing routes. Key techniques examined include hand lay-up, prepreg lay-up with autoclave curing, filament winding, pultrusion, resin transfer molding and its variants, compression molding, spray-up, and injection molding. Each process is discussed with respect to its working principle, raw material requirements, tooling considerations, process parameters, inherent advantages and practical limitations. Furthermore, the review addresses the four fundamental stages common to all composite fabrication methods, namely impregnation, lay-up, consolidation and solidification. Industrial applications spanning aerospace, automotive, marine, construction and sporting goods sectors are highlighted, along with relevant material property comparisons. The paper also identifies current challenges, including cost optimization, recyclability concerns and process scalability, while outlining potential research directions for advancing composite manufacturing technologies. This review serves as a consolidated reference for researchers, engineers and academicians seeking a thorough understanding of contemporary composite fabrication methodologies.

The menin-lysine methyltransferase 2A acute leukemia (KMT2A) protein-protein interaction has emerged as a clinically validated epigenetic target in acute leukemia, following the approval of the reversible menin inhibitor Revumenib for KMT2A-rearranged and nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1)-mutant disease. This success transformed a once "undruggable" interface into a tractable binding pocket, triggering the rapid expansion of medicinal-chemistry strategies aimed at achieving deeper and more durable transcriptional reprogramming. This review analyzes the full menin-inhibitor landscape from a medicinal-chemistry perspective, integrating reversible, covalent, and degrader-oriented modalities within a unified structure-activity framework. We highlight how scaffold architecture, pocket occupancy, electrophile placement toward Cys329, and polarity tuning control binding mode, residence time, metabolic stability, resistance susceptibility, and pharmacodynamic durability. Across all chemical classes, sustained target engagement-rather than equilibrium affinity alone-emerges as the dominant determinant of antileukemic efficacy. By integrating structure-activity relationship (SAR), resistance mechanisms, safety considerations, and translational scope across oncology and metabolic indications, this review provides a roadmap for the rational design of next-generation menin inhibitors and establishes menin as a model system for modern epigenetic drug discovery.

Infectious diseases remain a major global health challenge, accounting for millions of deaths annually and placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacterial strains, together with recurrent outbreaks of viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Monkeypox, and influenza, underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents with diverse mechanisms of action. In this context, indolizines, isoindoles, and isoindolinones represent promising scaffolds in anti-infective drug discovery due to their unique structural features, versatile reactivity, and ability to engage multiple biological targets. This review provides an updated overview of the medicinal chemistry of indolizine and isoindoles, with particular emphasis on compounds demonstrating activities against infectious pathogens. Representative examples are highlighted to illustrate structure-activity relationships (SARs), scaffold-based optimization strategies, and emerging mechanistic insights. Relevant synthetic methodologies are discussed only in the context of biologically active compounds to provide a framework for rational design. Collectively, this review underscores the therapeutic potential of indolizine- and isoindole-derived scaffolds as versatile frameworks for anti-infective drug development and highlights opportunities for further chemical and biological exploration.