Light-activated cancer therapy! Liu et al. show that iridium-based compounds remain inactive in the dark but, when exposed to light, generate reactive oxygen species that selectively kill cancer cells. #AusJChem @csiropublishing.bsky.social Detail- connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Call for Papers: Elevating Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Chemical Science (Australia & New Zealand) This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a collection that elevates Indigenous knowledge systems in chemical science. Please share widely with colleagues and networks.

New paper from the Britovsek et al! Ru complexes with 6,6′-functionalised bipyridines stabilise low-valent Ru dimers and Ru-6 carbonyl clusters. These insights inform future ligand design for homogeneous syngas conversion and sustainable fuels. #AusJChem connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) struggles to detect lead in salty foods. Xifeng Gao et al. present a new microextraction- based deep eutectic solvent GFASS method which is capable of overcoming NaCl matrix interference. #AusJChem Details: connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Pacheco and colleagues report the synthesis of an eco-friendly magnetic nanopowder derived from steel industry residue for latent fingerprint detection. The low-cost, sustainable material offers a green alternative for forensic science while reusing industrial waste! More: doi.org/10.1071/CH25098

Congrats to Prof Deanna D’Alessandro, #AusJChem Associate Editor, for being named one of Australia’s Top 250 Researchers! A global leader in MOFs, materials chemistry, electrochemistry and carbon capture. A truly well-deserved recognition! @csiropublishing.bsky.social

New in the press! Mousavi et al show that precise chemical features, especially the terminal heterocycle and flexible thiophene core, are essential for ligands to selectively detect amyloid-β deposits, guiding probes for Alzheimer’s diagnostics. #AusJChem #openaccess connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Yanru Cui et al. modified melamine-formaldehyde based phase change microcapsules using high thermal conductivity nanoparticles. This resulted in a more uniform morphology, as well as an improved degree dispersion, heat of phase change, and encapsulation rate. connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Liu et al. show that incorporating alumina, silicon carbide and graphene into melamine formaldehyde resin boosts thermal conductivity and stability in phase-change microcapsules, offering strong potential for energy-efficient buildings and smart textiles. #AusJChem connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Laszlo Otvos Jr reviews the research that has been done towards the applications of Classical antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) for use as anti-viral agents. #AusJChem Details: connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

This review by Conan K. Wang and colleagues highlights the current use and future directions of disulfide-rich peptides as next-generation radiopharmaceuticals in imaging & therapy. #AusJChem More: doi.org/10.1071/CH25096

Barbara Dias Castro et al. expand their work on magnetic nanopowder for use in fingerprint detection. Through a simple precipitation method steel industry waste is synthesised into nanoparticles which can be used to effectivly detect fingerprints. Details: connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Laszlo Otvos Jr reviews how classical antimicrobial peptides, long known for killing bacteria, may also inhibit viruses. Though their antiviral activity is weak, they provide valuable templates for designing next-generation antiviral peptide drugs. #AusJChem Detail- connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

New in the press! A study by Marx et al shows how NMR spectroscopy is both a blessing and a curse! This uncovered unexpected ethanol and hidden components in cell growth media, revealing unseen complexities that impact reproducibility. #AusJChem #openaccess Detail- connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Sani and colleagues investigate the solution structure and topology of a pH-sensitive, histidine-rich analogue of the antimicrobial peptide maculatin 1.1 using circular dichroism, solution-state NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. #AusJChem More: doi.org/10.1071/CH25...

Huipeng Zhao & al. investigate the impregnation of diethylenetriamine (DETA) into porous silica to enhance CO2 capture performance. Amine concentrations, temperatures and pressures, were investigated, achieving a maximal capture of 417.45mg/g. #AudJChem connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Just dropped! A virtual collection from #AustJChem celebrating Nobel Laureate Professor Richard Robson, pioneer of MOFs. Explore 60 years of his groundbreaking work, free to read until 27 Feb 2026. @csiropublishing.bsky.social @unimelb.bsky.social connectsci.au/ch/collectio...

A recent review by Ullrich et al highlights the advances in constrained peptides and compact proteins, showing how cyclic, stapled, and AI-designed miniproteins offer stability and precision for tough targets, shaping the future of drug discovery. #AusJChem #openaccess connectsci.au/ch/article/7...

Today @csiropublishing.bsky.social launched ConnectSci, a new global destination for trusted science content, hosting our journal, eBooks and a science news service. You can now find Australian Journal of Chemistry here: connectsci.au/ch So, what's new for readers and authors?

Before Richard Robson created the field of MOFs, he created what are now known as "Robson macrocycles", probably the first binucleating and tetranucleating (terms he invented) macrocycles. To create one field of chemistry is amazing, but to create two new kinds of chemistry across a career....

(1/3) This 1970 paper showcases the early brilliance of Richard Robson's work on macrocyclic binucleating ligands - foundational research contributing to the revolution in coordination chemistry and materials design.

A recent review by Solomon and Keaveney et al. reveals how catalyst structure controls the crucial transmetalation step in Pd- and Ni-catalysed cross-couplings, advancing the understanding of modern catalysis. #AusJChem #openaccess @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/ch/pdf/CH25103

Khalid Widyan presents a novel one-pot synthesis of flavones and 2-alkyl-4H-benzopyran-4-one. He utilizes the ionic liquid [BMIM][BF₄] to provides a favourable reaction medium which increases the selectivity and yield of the syntheses #AudJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25044

A proud moment for Australian science! We were honoured to celebrate Prof Robson’s remarkable achievements in our 2019 Special Collection, and are thrilled to see him now recognised with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry! #AustJChem Which you can revisit here: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/issue/9431

Congratulations to our very own Prof Richard Robson (University of Melbourne & Florey Institute), along with Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University) and Omar M Yaghi ( University of California), on receiving the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for pioneering MOFs, a landmark in materials science! 👏

A recent review by Li et al. on cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄)-based catalysts as cost-effective alternatives for the oxygen evolution reaction in acidic media, vital for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis and green hydrogen production. #AusJChem #openaccess www.publish.csiro.au/ch/pdf/CH25104

☕ Happy International Coffee Day! ☕ Cosy up with your morning brew and check out this paper by Patti and colleagues reporting the lipid, caffeine, and polyphenol content of waste coffee husks and spent coffee grounds (SCGs) from Australian commercial outlets. #AusJChem More: doi.org/10.1071/CH20189

Hot off the press! Hill et al. show that cis-amide conformations, not N-methylation alone, drive metabolic instability in cyclic hexapeptides. Balance conformation and stability needed when optimising scaffolds for drug development. #AusJChem #openaccess www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25080

Liu and coworkers report the synthesis of a dibenzimidazolium salt based on binaphthol, which demonstrates a strong binding affinity for Al3+. The compound proved useful as as a fluorescence probe that effectively distinguishes Al3+ from other cations. #AusJChem More: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25034

Kelso et al. studied Aussie e-cigarettes using GC–MS and found unlabelled nicotine and banned toxins like cinnamaldehyde. Most were mislabelled, revealing major gaps in vaping regulation despite new reforms. #AusJChem #openaccess @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/ch/pdf/CH25027

Huipeng Zhao & al. present their optimization of CO2 with diethylenetriamine impregnated silica absorbents. They investigated the type of silica used, the concentration amine as well as the temperature and pressure of the CO2. #AusJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25056

Poulsen et al. used native mass spectrometry to screen covalent fragments and found novel binders for surface cysteines in carbonic anhydrase III. Selective hits at Cys187 open new paths for probes & covalent drug discovery! #openaccess @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25081

Hui Wang et al. report the construction of a series of red-emission compounds, offering an effective method for monitoring endoplasmic reticulum (ER) polarity changes and providing a novel approach for investigating diseases associated with abnormal ER polarity. More: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25035

Fei Yang Tian & Co. present their synthesis of a tetramethylcucurbit[6]uril-based porous supramolecular assembly that exhibits the characteristics of fluorophores it adsorbs and, which, in the presence of rhodamine B or pyrene, can detect methanol. Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH19586

Tytgat et al. demonstrate a cost-effective bioassay to study the human MRGPRX2 receptor using frog oocytes. This technique enables the discovery of new allergy and immune disease treatments. #AusJChem #openaccess @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/CH/fulltext/...

Payne and coworkers @curtinuniversity.bsky.social report an unusual triterpene fatty acid conjugate, isolated from the leaf resin of Dodonaea caespitosa. This discovery will help the understanding of the biology and ecology of this plant. #AusJChem ‪ Details: doi.org/10.1071/CH25050

Fan-Ming Yang & Co. Present a new type of Zr-TSCD (TSCD=Na3C6H5O72*H2O) material which, when functionalized with triethylenetetramine, displays enhanced CO2 adsorption, achieving stable selective adsorption rates as high as 175.1mg/g. #AudJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH19541

El-Aal et al. reported efficient synthesis of indole-fused N-heterocycles via Jourdan–Ullmann and Friedel–Crafts approaches, yielding scaffolds with potential pharmacological value for medicinal chemistry applications. #AusJChem @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25003

Happy international cat day! This article by Gavin Flematti and coworkers identifies the cat attractants, Isodihydronepetalactone and Isoiridomyrmecin from the herb, acalypha indica. Potential application of these compounds in feral cat control is discussed. #AusJChem Detail: doi.org/10.1071/CH15476

Hiroaki Suga and colleagues highlight tactics to engineer MCoTI-II, a cyclic cystine-knot peptide natural product, into next-generation therapeutics and diagnostics. These include rational design, loop grafting and genetically encoded discovery platforms. #AusJChem www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25086

Kathryn G. Leslie & al. explore the application of nicotinamide as a redox switch in conjunction with different amino fluorophores. They analyse four conjugates which are irreversibly sensitive to redox change, showing a shift in fluorescence. #AusJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH19398

Barnett et al. revisit the history of the “Rutherford nucleus” showing how scientific understanding evolves, highlighting the value of curiosity and telling science as it truly unfolded. #AusJChem #openaccess @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25070

Ji Zhao & Co. review the methods of nanoparticle formation at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). The applications of these nanoparticles in electrocatalysis and electroanalysis are also explored. #AusJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH19532

Skelton and colleagues report simultaneous conformity and non-conformity of Hammett’s linear free energy relationships in the same system, para-substituted phenyl pentazoles. This rarity and a plausible reason are discussed. #AusJChem @csiropublishing.bsky.social www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH24110

Srivastava et al. investigate the impact of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) micelles on Ru(III)-catalysed oxidation kinetics of L-Tyrosine by N-bromosuccinimide in aqueous medium, elucidating the apparent catalytic influence of CPC micellar environments. #AusJChem www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH25030

In this paper Michael G. Gardiner & Co. present a novel air and moisture tolerant synthesis for a cationic chelated bis(NHC) methyl Pd(II) complex. This method circumvents a previously reported unstable intermediate leading to a higher yield. #AusJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH20194

Nicholas S. O’Brien and Adam McCluskey present a facile catalytic microwave modulated method for 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones synthesis. The paper also investigates analogues of this scaffold, synthesising 41 species with 17-99% yields. #AusJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH20101

This review by Lindoy et al. explores recent advances in building heteronuclear nanocages with tailored properties and functions. Prof Lindoy was recently appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his outstanding contributions to chemistry. #AustJChem www.publish.csiro.au/ch/pdf/CH19279

Kadam and colleagues report the synthesis and characterisation of 15 novel fluorinated thiazolidinone compounds. The in vitro anticancer potential of the compounds was tested against human liver and colon cancer cell lines. #AusJChem Details: www.publish.csiro.au/CH/CH23123

Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Chemistry, George Koutsantonis, attended #OZOM15 and #OZRE25. His engagement with the community and insightful discussion about the journal’s direction and opportunities for authors was highly appreciated. #AusjChem @csiropublishing.bsky.social