Quantum tunnelling drives aromaticity flip-flop
Augmented pentalene structure could be a molecular Schrödinger’s cat, aromatic and antiaromatic at the same time
This fragment-based drug discovery library is designed to be sociable
Study targets a key bottleneck in hit to lead optimisation by designing fragments that are both structurally diverse and easy to elaborate
Calcium bicarbonate crystals synthesised for first time
Scientists fill ‘historical gap in textbooks’ to resolve the crystal structure of this simple yet elusive mineral
All stirred up: chemical engineers refute claims that ‘stirring doesn’t matter’
Failing to mix reactions in heterogeneous or industrial systems could cause numerous issues and might even be dangerous, preprint claims
Neural network trained to classify crystal structure errors in MOF and other databases
Dihydropyrazine-embedded macrocycles behave like supersized cycloalkanes
‘Stimulating discovery’ leads to strategy to swap oxygen in saturated rings
Chiral chemical fuels trigger two very different supramolecular self-assemblies
Ultrapotent thrombin inhibitor combines peptide fragments from a trio of blood-sucking organisms
Electron transfer plays an underappreciated role in battery charging cycles
Highlights
AI tools tackle paper mill fraud overwhelming peer review
th more article submissions and fraudulent activity than ever before, journal peer review processes are creaking under the pressure. Nina Notman discovers how AI and automated tools are taking some of the strain
How the pioneers of metal-organic frameworks won the Nobel prize
From wooden models to thousands and thousands of structures, Julia Robinson tells the story of how Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi won the 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry
Rethinking workplaces for neurodivergent staff
Neurodivergent people often excel in skills highly valued in chemistry. Nina Notman investigates how employers are breaking down barriers and harnessing these talents through workplace adjustments and recruitment reforms
Kesterite solar cells break efficiency ceiling after decade-long stall
Once-promising kesterite solar technology has finally broken through its efficiency ceiling, jumping from a decade-long stall at 12.6% to nearly 17% in just three years – putting commercial viability within reach.
From flying ointments to healing herbs: the forgotten chemistry behind historical witchcraft practices
The unusual concoctions of village witches have historically been dismissed as nonsense hocus pocus – but is this the whole story? Victoria Atkinson investigates the chemistry behind the myth and whether there was more to witchcraft than ritual and superstition
Topics
Quantum tunnelling drives aromaticity flip-flop
Augmented pentalene structure could be a molecular Schrödinger’s cat, aromatic and antiaromatic at the same time
Neural network trained to classify crystal structure errors in MOF and other databases
Study serves as a reminder that machine learning models are only as good as the data they are trained on
Modelling suggests waste heat from AI data centres could power carbon capture and water purification
Analysis considering thermodynamics, economics and emissions shows how AI could flip its environmental footprint to become both water-positive and carbon-negative
Antibiotics designed with the help of AI attack bacteria in entirely new ways
AI tools turned to creating designer proteins for personalised cancer therapies and antibiotics
LLMs could rewrite how AIs predict reactions and plan syntheses
‘CrystalGPT’ set to enhance how chemists design crystals in silico
Unprecedented pentacoordinate oxygen cluster isn’t so new after all
How does Clarivate pick its potential Nobel prize winners?
Chemistry World talks to the head of research analysis at the Institute for Science Information on how they decide which researchers are producing Nobel-worthy research
First-generation graduate chemists face challenges throughout their entire academic lifetime
Study highlights need for mentorship and more inclusive networks
Ancient ‘Egyptian Blue’ pigment recipes recreated
Work could aid conservation of Egyptian artefacts
Snuff tube residues push back date of oldest hallucinogen use in Peruvian Andes
Chemical analysis reveals traces of a number of psychoactive compounds thought to have been used to secure leaders’ status
Exploring the frontiers of the periodic table: bismuth catalysis and its applications
Learn about state-of-the-art synthesis coming from one of the world’s leading catalysis research groups
US charity launches $100 million green chemistry initiative
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to fund seven year project headed by sustainable chemistry pioneer Paul Anastas
Pitfalls in cytotoxicity studies could be tripping up chemists
Team proposes how to broaden and standardise biological testing in sustainable chemical research
‘Chemistry changed the world before, we just need to do it again’: Stockholm declaration reimagines future
Paul Anastas talks to Chemistry World about organising call for chemistry to transform itself and make the world more sustainable
Chemists urged to build a greener future by Stockholm declaration document
‘Father of green chemistry’ Paul Anastas among those spearheading call to action
Filter paper simplifies squaramide synthesis
Capillary-driven flow distributes reagents evenly
AI company will pay authors $1.5 billion in damages after using their copyrighted works to train its models
Academics set for payouts of $3000 for each book that was illegally downloaded
AI tools tackle paper mill fraud overwhelming peer review
th more article submissions and fraudulent activity than ever before, journal peer review processes are creaking under the pressure. Nina Notman discovers how AI and automated tools are taking some of the strain
UKRI announces changes to simplify and improve efficiency of fellowships
Changes introduced to make fellowships easier to manage and understand
Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Lab and home of Mars rovers loses 10% of its staff
The dismissal of 550 JPL workers is the fourth round of recent layoffs at the lab, prompting fears of a brain drain
The 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry as it happens – live
Join us as we provide analysis and commentary in the run up to the announcement of the biggest prize in chemistry