Nature Chemistry, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02240-4Small-molecule walkers that combine autonomy with kinetic asymmetry have remained elusive. Now, simple phosphoric acid esters are shown to drive a non-enzymatic reaction cycle that autonomously migrates a phosphate group along five hydroxy footholds, expanding the scope of synthetic molecular machinery.

Cleavable bonds are a central strategy for polymer deconstruction, but controlling the rate of breakdown remains difficult because it is dictated by intrinsic bond cleavage kinetics. Now it has been s...

Molecular nanocarbons are critical bridges between small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and extended graphene lattices, driving advances across materials science, optoelectronics, and quantum technologies. However, the atomically precise synthesis of such systems, particularly those featuring K-region and cove-type topologies, remains an enduring challenge. Here, we present a de novo modular strategy that overcomes this constraint by directing K-region growth via annulation of preorganized aryl acetylnaphthalene precursors with acetylenedicarboxylate. The strategy mirrors the hierarchical construction of pyrene by formally inserting naphthalene fragments into spatially defined molecular scaffolds. This method integrates Suzuki–Miyaura coupling with a Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed cascade comprising Friedel–Crafts alkylation, dehydro-Diels–Alder cycloaddition, and dehydrogenative aromatization. The platform affords structurally diverse pyrene-based molecular nanocarbons with programmable control over topology and dimensionality, spanning linear, contorted, and three-dimensional π-architectures. These results establish a generalizable blueprint for bottom-up synthesis of complex carbon-rich architectures with atomic precision.

Compartments seen in diverse length scales across all life forms are kinetically stable as these need energy and matter to sustain spatial organization, enable growth, division and ultimately undergo ...

Cyclo[N]carbons, molecular rings consisting solely of N carbon atoms, have previously been studied in the gas phase and on surfaces at cryogenic temperatures, but they are generally considered too rea...

Organic radicals and diradicaloids that are both stable and luminescent are promising candidates for molecular qubits in quantum technologies. Here we report two new carbazole-functionalized…

A highly luminescent propeller-shaped PDI hexamer exhibiting solvent-responsive circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) was synthesized via a one-pot reaction. The propeller chirality undergoes rever...

Organic radicals and diradicaloids that are both stable and luminescent are promising candidates for molecular qubits in quantum technologies. Here we report two new carbazole-functionalized…

This work introduces a co-upcycling strategy to simultaneously valorize waste polyethylene and spent lithium-ion batteries. By repurposing retired LiCoO2 cathode materials as catalysts, we demonstrat...

The development of decimeter-length organic crystals that remain elastic, functional, and machinable at extremely low temperatures, such as in liquid nitrogen (LN) environments, is a great challenge. ...

Prototissues made from artificial cells (ACs) aim to replicate the behaviors of living tissues, such as communication, collective behavior, and homeos…

A dual circularity concept was demonstrated to prevent plastic waste accumulation, where rational design paved the way. Apart from fully recovery of mechanical and thermal properties after as many as...

By threading a secondary ammonium salt through the crown ether and closing the third ring via CuAAC click reaction, we obtained a rare ABC-type hetero-[3]catenane comprising [12]CPP, 24-crown-8 and a...

Hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes is a powerful approach to the synthesis of disubstituted alkenes. However, its application is largely unexplored in the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated carbonyls, whic...

Employing the site-specific functionalization strategy, a radially conjugated, helical tubular molecule has been constructed by covalently connecting [9]cycloparaphenylenes with three sp-hybridized a....

The use of photochromic materials in volumetric three-dimensional (3D) displays can allow rich visual experiences by representing 3D content that occu…

Synthetic chemical systems exhibiting spatiotemporal control have been growing in sophistication, and oscillators are likely a key design element of f…

An unprecedented caged 2H-benzo-dioxo-pentacycloundecane framework was serendipitously obtained in a single transformation via triple-dearomative photocycloaddition of chromone esters with furans. Thi...

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“Cycloparaphenylenes consisting of are cyclic π-conjugated structures presetting interesting physical properties upon functionalization. However, the ring strain and steric hindrance of the substit...

Long polyynes have fascinating properties but they are difficult to synthesize as a consequence of their high reactivity. Now, it has been shown that cobalt carbonyl complexes can be used as masked al...