catalysis

Nature Communications, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74592-x The development of catalytic systems for the enantioselective epoxidation of sterically hindered trisubstituted alkenes and the oxidation of sulfilimines to sulfoximines using molecular oxygen (O₂) as the terminal oxidant remains a formidable challenge. Here, the authors report a biomimetic bifunctional photocat…

Spin crossover (SCO) is a well-established phenomenon by which transition-metal complexes can reversibly switch between low- and high-spin states, a phenomenon widely studied in materials chemistry. Recently, transition metal complexes that exhibit SCO have attracted increasing attention as catalysts in chemical reactions. Combining SCO with catalysis presents a promising strategy for creating sw…

Scientists have developed an extremely small and highly efficient catalyst that could improve the production of green hydrogen, one of the cleanest fuels being explored for the future. The international research team, led by scientists from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science, Vanderbilt University and the University of Adelaide, created tiny clusters made from only […] The post Tiny 1…

An international research team from Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Science, Vanderbilt University and the University of Adelaide has discovered a novel, exceptionally simple method to precisely synthesize extremely small iridium nanoclusters in ambient air. Such a feat was previously considered highly challenging. In addition, the nanoclusters outperform conventional, commercially availab…

Nature Communications, Published online: 20 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74650-4 Chromium poisoning and sluggish oxygen kinetics limit oxygen electrodes in reversible solid oxide cells. Here, the authors report a triple-barrier perovskite that suppresses Sr segregation, traps chromium, and tunes surface chemistry, enabling strong chromium tolerance and long-term stability.

Nature Communications, Published online: 20 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74668-8 Acyclic Schiff base atropisomers have remained inaccessible because of longstanding synthetic and stereocontrol challenges. Here, the authors report a palladium-catalysed asymmetric N-allylation enabled by substrate guided catalyst evolution, delivering Z selective atropisomeric Schiff bases with high yields and…

Nature Communications, Published online: 20 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74595-8 The authors report a regioselective hydrogen atom transfer process that enables divergent carbamoylation of branched alkenes. Through modulation of the electronic and steric properties of the ligands, this cobalt complex achieves precise discrimination between hydrogen atoms exhibiting minor differences in bond …

Nature Communications, Published online: 18 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74187-6 The authors present a copper-catalyzed dynamic kinetic asymmetric allylation of racemic α,β,β-triarylethanones, providing efficient access to a diverse range of chiral α,β,β-triaryl tertiary alcohols with robust enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.

Nature Communications, Published online: 18 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73870-y Chiral helicenes are valuable across disciplines, yet strategies to construct helical chirality—particularly in polychiral or heteroatom containing systems—remain limited by limited substrates and challenging stereochemical control. Here, the authors report an enantioselective dynamic kinetic resolution enabling…

Scientific Reports, Published online: 18 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-57572-5 Fabrication and characterization of magnetic trimetallic mesoporous nanocomposite: as an effective nanocatalyst for synthesis of bisphenol derivatives

Nature Communications, Published online: 18 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74607-7 Light alkanes offer a route to key aromatics, but controlling competing catalytic steps remains difficult. This study separates and matches reaction stages to boost benzene, toluene and xylene production.

Nature Communications, Published online: 18 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74604-w Atomically precise metal clusters that combine structural clarity, functional modularity, and spatial programmability are becoming increasingly relevant. Here, the authors report the synthesis and applications of the cluster-based Au8Pd1(DPPF)42+/Al2O3 catalyst for hydrogen peroxide generation.

Nature Communications, Published online: 18 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74600-0 Authors present an ErCl₃-catalyzed cyanation of both aliphatic and aryl ketone hydrazones for the facile access of C(alpha)-tetrasubstituted alpha-hydrazino nitriles in up to 96% ee, by using a sterically confined pyridinebisoxazoline (PYBOX) ligand featuring a sulfonyl group at the pyridine C4 position.

Clean hydrogen production depends on catalysts that can split water efficiently while using precious metals more wisely. A new catalyst design addresses one of the long-standing barriers in alkaline water electrolysis: the slow breakdown of water molecules on platinum (Pt) surfaces. By placing Pt clusters on a symbiotic oxide support made from titanium dioxide quantum dots and cobalt oxide (TiO₂ …

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 17 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01555-2 Heterogeneous and homogeneous photocatalysts offer different strengths and weaknesses. Here, continuous-flow photocatalytic oxidation reactions are performed using covalent organic framework nanofluids that heterogenize molecular units to combine the advantages of catalyst efficiency, light utilization and easy separ…

Nature, Published online: 17 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09473-2 Visualization of concentration-driven phase segregation within high-concentration interfacial layers in the context of high-energy lithium–sulfur batteries using liquid-cell electrochemical transmission electron microscopy reveals competitive interfacial reactions under lean electrolyte conditions at different phase boundaries.