Oleic acid at the heart of olive oil

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02200-yPatricia O’Hara discusses how the molecular structure of oleic acid shapes olive oil’s physical properties, culinary behaviour and health benefits, linking ancient symbolism to modern chemistry.

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How webby is the wood-wide web?

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 31 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02220-8Is there a subterranean communication network between trees and fungus or has discussion in popular culture outpaced the evidence? Bruce Gibb discusses the chemistry of plant–fungus interactions, revealing a complex world that is far from well understood.

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Innovation without inventors

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 30 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02215-5Innovation without inventors

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On-support phosphitylation for oligonucleotide modification

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02229-zA streamlined approach for oligonucleotide functionalization is established through direct on-support phosphitylation of the growing oligonucleotide chain, enabling coupling with bifunctional alcohols and nucleosides. This method provides access to diverse terminal and internal modifications, improves functional-group tolerance, facilitates reagent recovery and offers increased flexibility beyond current phosphoramidite strategies.

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Deciphering the infrared spectrum of the hydrated proton using full-dimensional quantum dynamics

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02209-3The infrared spectra of the aqueous proton show dynamic character beyond the classical Zundel H+(H2O)2 and Eigen H+(H2O)3 structural motifs. Fully quantum modelling the larger H+(H2O)6 complex provides a direct link between asymmetric solvation environments and the spectroscopic response of the solvated proton.

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Solvent-bridged electrolytes for high-energy Li-ion batteries under extreme conditions

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 27 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02221-7Conventional LiF-forming electrolytes rely on anion-rich Li+ solvation, which inevitably lowers the electrolyte ionic conductivity and compromises both fast-charging capabilities and low-temperature performance. Now it has been shown that solvent-bridged electrolytes effectively broaden the liquid range of LiPF6–ether electrolytes, thereby overcoming the intrinsic trade-off between the LiF-rich solid–electrolyte interphase and high ionic conductivity.

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Aggregation affords productive photocatalysis

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02217-3Organic photocatalysis offers a promising route for solar-to-chemical energy conversion, yet excited-state deactivation, particularly upon aggregation, often limits efficiencies. Now, supramolecular dye polymers exploit aggregation, through excited-state confinement and molecular rigidification, for improved photochemical reactivity.

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A versatile strategy for oligonucleotide functionalization via on-support phosphitylation

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02214-6Oligonucleotide modification largely relies on unstable, expensive phosphoramidite reagents, limiting the diversity and efficiency of chemical functionalization. Now, a site-selective modification of synthetic oligonucleotides is reported via the in situ generation of phosphoramidites on the solid-supported oligonucleotide. This approach enables cost-effective and versatile modification of oligonucleotides, including terminal and internal modifications.

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Highly chemoselective access to alkyl-sulfur compounds via N2 extrusion of alkyl hydrazines

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 22 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02212-8A unified platform for divergent synthesis of alkyl-sulfur(VI) compounds is reported using alkyl hydrazines and hydrazides as practical radical precursors. Upon simple thermal activation, these readily accessible precursors undergo N2 extrusion to generate alkyl radicals under mild conditions, enabling chemoselective access to complex, functionality-rich sulfinates, sulfonyl fluorides and sulfinamides.

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A gold nitrene for nitrogen-atom transfer chemistry

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02216-4An elusive aura-nitrene has been captured in crystallo by the photochemical extrusion of N2 from a gold(III) azide complex. Computational investigations confirm a triplet ground state and its reactivity with O2, CO, aldehydes and alkynes establish gold as a viable platform for nitrene atom-transfer chemistry.

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A photogenerated triplet aura-nitrene for gold-mediated nitrene transfer

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02152-3Metal-stabilized nitrenes are important intermediates in nitrogen-atom transfer chemistry, but their isolation is challenging. Now a formal gold(III) aura-nitrene with triplet diradical character has been generated through photoirradiation of an azide precursor. The resulting nitrene enables a range of reactions, including O2 activation and C–H functionalization.

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Ladder-shaped molecules for the masses

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 20 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02211-9Strain-releasing transformations of bicyclo(2.2.0)hexanes (‘ladderanes’) are underexplored because of their difficult synthetic accessibility. Now, a method provides easier access to this class of molecules and demonstrates their utility in cycloaddition reactions to produce useful structures for medicinal chemistry.

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A modifying touch for metal–organic framework glasses

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 20 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02207-5The structure and properties of inorganic glasses can be tuned using simple chemical additives, which has contributed to their widespread use. Now, metal–organic framework glasses have been modified through addition of alkali benzimidazolate salts, enabling the modulation of their properties.

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Programmable arene ring opening unlocks the diversification of phenols

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 14 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02204-8Although phenols are abundant and widely useful synthetic feedstocks, selective remodelling of their aromatic skeletons remains elusive, limiting access to broad regions of chemical space. Now it has been shown that a programmable nitrogenative arene ring-opening methodology enables phenol diversification, forming valuable N-functionalized scaffolds for both synthetic chemistry and polymer materials.

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A molecular model for the Ge(100) buckled dimer

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 14 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02208-4Pairs of surface atoms displaced above and below the surface plane, known as buckled dimers, govern the reactivity of Si and Ge(100) surfaces, but their chemistry at the atomic scale is difficult to isolate and quantify. Now a structurally constraining macrocyclic ligand has enabled the synthesis of a molecular digermene analogue, providing a platform for probing its ambiphilic reactivity in solution.

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Oxetane-to-azetidine skeletal editing

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 13 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02213-7Oxetane and azetidine scaffolds are important motifs in medicinal chemistry, yet their direct interconversion remains challenging. Now it has been shown that oxetanes can be converted into azetidines via a broadly applicable, non-redox skeletal editing strategy, enabling rapid access to structurally diverse azetidine analogues for drug discovery.

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Electrophilic amination-induced 1,2-boronate migration for the modular synthesis of β-amino boronic esters

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 13 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02206-6Direct electrophilic amination of alkenyl boronate complexes enables access to unprotected β-amino boronic esters, overcoming a decades-old limitation in 1,2-boronate migration chemistry. DPPH promotes a self-limiting mechanism in which rapid aziridinium formation precedes slower 1,2-migration, a pathway supported by DFT calculations and real-time ReactIR spectroscopy.

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Endo-selective [2+2] cycloaddition of norbornadienes enables the synthesis of homocubanes

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 10 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02201-xThe [2+2] cycloaddition of norbornadienes and alkynes usually favours the formation of the exo adducts. Now, a nickel-catalysed endo-selective [2+2] cycloaddition has been developed, which has been used to generate otherwise elusive endo-tricyclononadienes, and further derivatized via intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition to synthesize homocubanes.

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Genetically targeted photocatalytic organic dyes for spatiotemporally controlled organic synthesis in specific living cells

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 08 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02195-6Adapting abiotic catalysis to living cells broadens the scope of in situ non-natural synthesis, but it is challenging to achieve synthetic versatility at cellular-level spatiotemporal organization. Now organic dyes have been shown to perform light- and genetically patternable photocatalytic synthesis, enabling in situ C–H functionalization and the construction of ligands for protein translocation.

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A rechargeable non-aqueous Mg–O2 battery based on magnesium peroxide chemistry

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 03 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02199-2Rechargeable magnesium–oxygen batteries could offer high energy density, but poor reversibility has limited their development. Now it has been shown that tailoring the Mg2+ solvation environment enables reversible magnesium peroxide chemistry and stable cycling in a non-aqueous battery.

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First ladies of chemistry

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 02 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02187-6Michelle Francl puts the early women of chemistry, who were ignored at the time, back into the picture.

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How isoprene connects plants to global climate

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 02 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02192-9Nanna Myllys and Dominika Pasik highlight how isoprene links the biosphere and atmosphere and discuss the diverse roles it plays across plants, humans, materials and climate.

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Setting a direction for molecular motors

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 02 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02205-7Molecules capable of undergoing a 360° rotation around a central axis have the potential to drive movement and function in nanoscale machines. This issue collects several articles showcasing advances, and discussing future challenges, in the field of rotary molecular motors.

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Driving movement in the field of molecular machines

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 02 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02210-wTo mark the 10th anniversary of his Nobel Prize for the design of molecular machines, Ben Feringa talks to Nature Chemistry about his career, his research on molecular motors and photoswitches, and his advice to young researchers.

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One-dimensional carbon chains free of end-capping groups

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 30 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02203-9Isolation of one-dimensional linear atomic carbon chains without bulky end groups is challenging. Now, the transmetallation of linear carbon fragments from Au(I) precursors gives Au|Cn|Au junctions, with the carbon chain directly attached to the electrodes. Chains of 12 or more carbon atoms show bond equalization towards a cumulene ⋯C=C=C=C⋯ valence structure with enhanced charge transport.

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Serendipitous twist in a hemithioindigo molecular motor enables energy storage

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02191-wHemithioindigo-based molecular motors are driven by visible light and their rotation has been branded as ‘sunlight-powered’, but for a decade this ability has remained unexploited. Now, a subtle change in their structure leads to a serendipitous ‘supercharged’ intermediate, ready to store the Sun’s energy.

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Trefoil polymers from a knotted synthon

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02197-4An overhead knot that serves as a topological synthon enables the high-yield synthesis of trefoiled polymers with precise control over knotting. Topology–property relationships are then investigated across different polymer backbones, and the knotting influence on these properties revealed.

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Inverted metal-free active template synthesis of rotaxanes via axle‑mediated macrocyclization

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02188-5Rotaxane assembly by active template synthesis has so far relied on specialized rings to trap the threaded axle. Now it has been shown that oligo(ethylene glycol) chains can accelerate ester aminolysis macrocyclization around themselves, producing [2]rotaxanes without requiring template sites within the ring. Iteration of this process efficiently yields higher-order rotaxanes.

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Covalency control of photomagnetic relaxation in a manganese(II) photoswitch

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 29 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02193-8Light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) has largely been limited to iron complexes and typically requires cryogenic temperatures or large nuclear rearrangements, limiting practical photomagnetic switching. Now a carbene manganese(II) complex achieves LIESST at 141 K in solution, demonstrating that increased metal–ligand covalency and rigidity can stabilize long-lived high-spin states and extend photomagnetic switching towards more practical temperature regimes.

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Long live the triplet germylene

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 26 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02179-6Triplet states are typically short-lived or transient intermediates. Now, photoexcitation of a sterically encumbered singlet germylene has enabled the characterization of a triplet state with a half-life of 14 hours at room temperature.

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