Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01490-4Evolution separates complex modern enzymes from their hypothetical simpler early ancestors, which raises the question of how unevolved sequences can develop new functions. Here a library of non-natural protein sequences was subjected to ultrahigh-throughput screens in microfluidic...

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01527-8Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) enable the construction of bespoke functional materials, but designing dynamic 2D COFs is challenging. Now it has been shown that perylene-diimide-based COFs can open and close their pores upon uptake or removal of guests,...

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 29 April 2024; doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01528-7A robust organometallic platform is developed for stoichiometric cross-couplings of common aryl and alkyl electrophiles under a single set of conditions. Inexpensive and persistent organonickel complexes are prepared by electrolysis and implemented in the diversification...

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 26 April 2024; doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01514-zX-ray diffraction analysis typically affords the static 3D structures of given compounds or materials, but to understand chemical processes, the visualization of fast structural changes is desirable. Time-resolved femtosecond crystallography has now been used to monitor...

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 26 April 2024; doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01526-9The precision synthesis of cyclic polymers with ultrahigh molar mass (UHMM) and circularity is challenging. Now, a method that involves superbase-mediated living linear-chain growth followed by macromolecular cyclization triggered by protic quenching enables the on-demand...

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 26 April 2024; doi:10.1038/s41557-024-01517-wExcited by the prospect of future missions to the Jupiter system, Bruce Gibb explores the chemistry of Jupiter’s moons and wonders whether there could be life on Europa.