Magnus Rueping

• Professor
• Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

We report a Ni-catalyzed cascade reaction leading to the arylation of an alkyne-induced acyl migration and the formation of all-carbon tetra-substituted alkenes in good yields with exclusive Z-selectivity. This transformation involves the generation of a nucleophilic vinyl-Ni species through regioselective syn-aryl nickelation of the alkynes, follo...

Electrochemically driven carbon–carbon formation is receiving considerable interest in organic synthesis. In this study, we present an electrochemically driven method for the formation of C(sp³)–C(sp³) bonds using readily available allylic carbonates, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl bromides as electrophiles. This approach offers...

Zika virus infections remain severely underdiagnosed due to their initial mild clinical symptoms. However, recent outbreaks have revealed neurological complications in adults and severe deformities in newborns, emphasizing the critical need for accurate diagnosis. Lateral flow assays (LFAs) provide a rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly method...

3,6-dimethylamino fluorenone was functionalized with substituents to achieve an absorption maximum at 1012 nm and emission > 1300 nm. TD-DFT calculations confirmed that the substituent orbitals contribute to narrowing the...

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) represents a promising technology for renewable hydrogen production. However, the large‐scale commercialization of PEMWE faces challenges due to the need for acid oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts with long‐term stability and corrosion‐resistant membrane electrode assemblies (MEA). This re...

Camelid heavy-chain only antibodies consist of two heavy chains and single variable domains (VHHs), which retain antigen-binding functionality even when isolated. The term "nanobody" is now more generally used for describing small, single-domain antibodies. Several antibody generative models have been developed for the sequence and structure co-des...

Photosensitizer‐assisted photocatalytic systems offer a solution to overcome the limitations of inherent light harvesting capabilities in catalysts. However, achieving efficient charge transfer between the dissociative photosensitizer and catalyst poses a significant challenge. Incorporating photosensitive components into reactive centers to establ...

Highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) play crucial roles in various pathological conditions. Among them, hypochlorous ion (OCl⁻), a potent ROS, is associated in numerous oxidative stress‐related disorders. Elevated levels of OCl⁻ are thus recognized as a biomarker for diagnosing inflammatory conditions. To enable selective detection...

Synthetic chemistry approaches for direct C–H bond alkylation offers a promising alternative to traditional functional-group-centered strategies which often involve multi-step procedures and may suffer from a variety of challenges including scalability. Here, we introduce resonant mixing as an efficient method for meta-C–H alkylation of arenes usin...

The photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methane (CH4) represents a sustainable route for directly converting greenhouse gases into chemicals but poses a significant challenge in achieving high selectivity due to thermodynamic and kinetic limitations during the reaction process. This work establishes Ru‐OV active sites on the surface...

The field of sustainable heterogeneous catalysis is evolving rapidly, with a strong emphasis on developing catalysts that enhance efficiency. Among various heterogeneous photocatalysts, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have gained significant attention for their exceptional performance in photocatalytic reactions. In this context, contrary to the co...

In this feature article, we provide an overview of the photocatalytic capabilities of copper-based nanoclusters for organic bond-forming reactions.

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP), recognized as a bioisostere for para‐disubstituted benzene, has gained widespread interest in drug development due to its ability to enhance the physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals. In this work, we introduce a photoinduced, halogen bonding‐initiated, metal‐free strategy for synthesizing various BCP derivative...

Chemical modification via functional dopants in carbon materials holds great promise for elevating catalytic activity and stability. To gain comprehensive insights into the pivotal mechanisms and establish structure‐performance relationships, especially concerning the roles of dopants, remains a pressing need. Herein, we employ computational simula...

Direct photocatalytic conversion of methane to value-added C1 oxygenate with O2 is of great interest but presents a significant challenge in achieving highly selective product formation. Herein, a general strategy for the construction of copper single-atom catalysts with a well-defined coordination microenvironment is developed on the basis of meta...

Our study unveils a pioneering methodology that effectively distributes Pd species within a zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8). We demonstrate that Pd can be encapsulated within ZIF‐8 as atomically dispersed Pd species that function as an excited‐state transition metal catalyst for promoting carbon–carbon (C−C) cross‐couplings at room tempera...

With the resurgence of electrosynthesis in organic chemistry, there is a significant increase in the number of routes available for late-stage functionalization (LSF) of drugs. Electrosynthetic methods, which obviate the need for hazardous chemical oxidants or reductants, offer unprecedented control of reactions through the continuous variation of...

Photocatalytic water splitting is the most idealistic route to green hydrogen production, but the extensive material requirements for this reaction make it difficult to realize good photocatalysts. Noble metal cocatalysts are often added to photocatalysts to aid in charge separation and improve surface kinetics for H2 evolution. Herein, the high ac...

Developing innovative methodologies for disulfide preparation is of importance in contemporary organic chemistry. Despite significant advancements in nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reactions for forming carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds, the synthesis of S–S bonds remains a considerable challenge. In this context, we present a no...

Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (BCP), recognized as a bioisostere for para‐disubstituted benzene, has gained widespread interest in drug development due to its ability to enhance the physicochemical properties of pharmaceuticals. In this work, we introduce a photoinduced, halogen bonding‐initiated, metal‐free strategy for synthesizing various BCP derivative...

Chemical modification via functional dopants in carbon materials holds great promise for elevating catalytic activity and stability. To gain comprehensive insights into the pivotal mechanisms and establish structure‐performance relationships, especially concerning the roles of dopants, remains a pressing need. Herein, we employ computational simula...

Our study unveils a pioneering methodology that effectively distributes Pd species within a zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8). We demonstrate that Pd can be encapsulated within ZIF‐8 as atomically dispersed Pd species that function as an excited‐state transition metal catalyst for promoting carbon–carbon (C–C) cross‐couplings at room tempera...

In alkaline water electrolysis and anion exchange membrane water electrolysis technologies, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode is significantly constrained by a high energy barrier during the water dissociation step. This study employs a phase engineering strategy to construct heterostructures composed of crystalline Ni4W and amor...

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (NCs) have become an important class of catalysts due to their catalytic activity, high surface area, and tailored active sites. However, the design and development of bond-forming reaction catalysts based on copper NCs are still in their early stages. Herein, we report the synthesis of an atomically precise co...

Extremophilic proteins are valuable in various fields, but their expression can be challenging in traditional hosts like Escherichia coli due to misfolding and aggregation. Haloferax volcanii (H. volcanii), a halophilic expression system, offers a solution. This study examined cleavable and non-cleavable purification tags at both the N- and C-termi...

We have developed a novel Ni-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling reaction of aryl bromides and alkyl iodides via a photoactive electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex.

A new cross‐coupling of trifluoromethyl arenes has been realized via multiphoton photoredox catalysis. Trifluoromethyl arenes were demonstrated to undergo selective mono‐defluorinative alkylation under mild reaction conditions providing access to a series of valuable α,α‐difluorobenzylic compounds. The reaction shows broad substrate scope and gener...

The development of an electrochemical cobalt catalyzed C–Cl bond activation at room temperature for the nucleophilic addition of aryl and vinyl chlorides to α-ketoamides and the extension to an enantioselective electrochemical reaction is described.

Atomically precise copper nanoclusters (NCs) are an emerging class of nanomaterials for catalysis. Their versatile core-shell architecture opens the possibility of tailoring their catalytically active sites. Here, we introduce a...

A new nickel-catalyzed electrochemical, reductive cross-coupling for the trideuteromethylation of alkyl and aryl bromides is reported in which CD3 arenesulfonate derivatives were used as effective and readily available CD3 sources. The CD3-labeled products were obtained with good yields. It was demonstrated that this methodology is scalable and can...

Carbon-based single-atom catalysts, a promising candidate in electrocatalysis, offer insights into electron-donating effects of metal center on adjacent atoms. Herein, we present a practical strategy to rationally design a model catalyst with a single zinc (Zn) atom coordinated with nitrogen and sulfur atoms in a multilevel carbon matrix. The Zn si...

We report an efficient and versatile catalytic N-heterocyclic nitrenium charge transfer complex strategy for the single-electron reduction of chloroform, resulting in the generation of the dichloromethyl radical for use in various transformations.

Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM) allows High Throughput Experimentation (HTE) using commercially available 96-well plates as exemplified by the nickel catalyzed C–N cross coupling of aryl halides with different amine and anilines.

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, the use of polypropylene fleece‐based personal protection equipment (PPE) increased significantly to over ten million tons. Typically, most PPEs are discarded after a single use, to prevent self‐infection of users and spread of infectious agents. However, in order to minimize plastic waste without compromising the prot...

The development of metal complexes that function as both photocatalyst and cross‐coupling catalyst remains a challenging research topic. So far, progress has been shown in palladium(0) excited‐state transition metal catalysis for the construction of carbon‐carbon bonds where the oxidative addition of alkyl/aryl halides to zero‐valent palladium (Pd⁰...

Hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) and photoredox dual catalysis provides a unique opportunity in organic synthesis, enabling the direct activation of C/Si/S–H bonds. However, the activation of O–H bonds of β,γ-unsaturated oximes poses a challenge due to their relatively high redox potential, which exceeds the oxidizing capacity of most currently develop...

The development of metal complexes that function as both photocatalyst and cross‐coupling catalyst remains a challenging research topic. So far, progress has been shown in Pd0 excited‐state transition metal catalysis for the construction of C–C bonds where the oxidative addition of alkyl/aryl halides to zero‐valent palladium (Pd0) is achievable at...

This work presents a hydrothermal-based facile method for synthesizing ZnFe 2 O 4, whose size can be controlled with the concentration of sodium acetate used as a fuel and its physical changes at nanoscales when exposed to two different gases. The structural, morphological, compositional, and electronic properties of the synthesized samples are als...

Photocatalytic selective C(sp³)–H activation/cross-coupling reactions are appealing in organic synthesis. In this manuscript, we describe the development of photoexcited-state Pd-catalyzed dehydrogenative β-sulfonylation reactions using amines and aryl sulfonyl chlorides via intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer and C−S cross-coupling processes at...

ZnFe 2 O 4 materials are promising for several applications, including catalysis, sensors, and supercapacitors. This paper presents a hydrothermal-based facile method for synthesizing ZnFe 2 O 4, whose size can be controlled with the concentration of sodium acetate used as a fuel. The characterization of the morphology, structure, composition, and...

Elucidating single‐atom effects on the fundamental properties of nanoparticles is challenging because single‐atom modifications are typically accompanied by appreciable changes to the overall particle's structure. Herein, we report the synthesis of a [Cu58H20PET36(PPh3)4]²⁺ (Cu58; PET: phenylethanethiolate; PPh3: triphenylphosphine) nanocluster—an...

Elucidating single‐atom effects on the fundamental properties of nanoparticles is challenging because single‐atom modifications are typically accompanied by appreciable changes to the overall particle's structure. Herein, we report the synthesis of a [Cu 58 H 20 PET 36 (PPh 3 ) 4 ] ²⁺ ( Cu 58 ; PET: phenylethanethiolate; PPh 3 : triphenylphosphine)...

The difunctionalization of unsaturated bonds plays a vital role in the enrichment of molecular complexity. While various catalytic methods for alkene and alkyne difunctionalization have been developed in recent years, hetero‐functionalization the introduction of two different atoms has been less explored. This is mainly due to the challenges associ...

The difunctionalization of unsaturated bonds plays a vital role in the enrichment of molecular complexity. While various catalytic methods for alkene and alkyne difunctionalization have been developed in recent years, hetero‐functionalization the introduction of two different atoms has been less explored. This is mainly due to the challenges associ...

In recent years, the integration of photocatalytic hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) with transition metal catalysis has emerged as a formidable strategy for the construction of C(sp3)-carbon and C(sp3)-hetero bonds. The fusion of these two methodologies has been utilized widely in organic synthesis, leading to new transformations in chemical synthesis....

Point defects in nanoparticles have long been hypothesized to play an important role in governing the particle's electronic structure and physicochemical properties. However, single point defects in material systems usually exist with other heterogeneities, obscuring the chemical role of the effects. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel atomica...

The solar‐driven evolution of hydrogen from water using particulate photocatalysts is considered one of the most economical and promising protocols for achieving a stable supply of renewable energy. However, the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting is far from satisfactory due to the sluggish electron‐hole pair separation kinetics. Herein,...

The solar‐driven evolution of hydrogen from water using particulate photocatalysts is considered one of the most economical and promising protocols for achieving a stable supply of renewable energy. However, the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting is far from satisfactory due to the sluggish electron‐hole pair separation kinetics. Herein,...

Point defects in nanoparticles have long been hypothesized to play an important role in governing the particle's electronic structure and physicochemical properties. However, single point defects in material systems usually exist with other heterogeneities, obscuring the chemical role of the effects. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel atomica...

A nickel-catalyzed C–Se cross-coupling between aryl iodides and selenols is described. The newly developed catalytic methodology offers facile access to various unsymmetrical selenium-containing motifs. The reaction features excellent functional group tolerance, wide substrate scope, good efficiency, and operates under mild reaction conditions. Not...

Background Various bacteria and archaea, including halophilic archaeon Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 produce gas vesicle nanoparticles (GVNPs), a unique class of stable, air-filled intracellular proteinaceous nanostructures. GVNPs are an attractive tool for biotechnological applications due to their readily production, purification, and unique physical p...

The development of heterogeneous metallaphotocatalysis is of great interest for sustainable organic synthesis. The rational design and controllable preparation of well-defined (site-isolated) metal/photo bifunctional solid catalysts to meet such goal remains a critical challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the incorporation of privileged homogeneous bi...

The tight regulation of the glucose concentration in the body is crucial for balanced physiological function. We developed an electrochemical transistor comprising an n-type conjugated polymer film in contact with a catalytic enzyme for sensitive and selective glucose detection in bodily fluids. Despite the promise of these sensors, the property of...

While significant progress has been made in developing selective C-H bond cross-couplings in the field of radical chemistry, the site and stereoselectivity remain a long-standing challenge. Here, we present the successful development of stereodivergent allylic C(sp³)-H bond arylations through a systematic investigation of the direction and degree o...

Deuterium‐labeled) CF2H‐ and CFH2‐moieties are of high interest in drug discovery. The high demand for the incorporation of these fluoroalkyl moieties into molecular structures has witnessed significant synthetic progress, particularly in the (deutero)hydrodefluorination of CF3‐containing compounds. However, the controllable replacement of fluorine...

The isolation and characterization of a kinetically stable oxadiazaborinine (ODB) dye are described, which undergoes an unexpected thermal boron rearrangement with a color change and increase in fluorescence. This controllable reaction allows for the use as a practical time‐temperature indicator probe with the advantages of photostability, non‐reve...

Precise stereocontrol of functionalized alkenes represents a long-standing research topic in organic synthesis. Nevertheless, the development of a catalytic, easily tunable synthetic approach for the stereodivergent synthesis of both E-selective and even more challenging Z-selective highly substituted 1,3-dienes from common substrates remains under...

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have been profusely used as catalysts for inserting CO2 into organic epoxides (i.e., epichlorohydrin) through cycloaddition. Here, we demonstrate that these materials suffer from irreversible degradation by leaching. To prove this, we performed the reactions and analyzed the final reaction mixtures by elementa...

The development of heterogeneous metallaphotocatalysis is of great interest for sustainable organic synthesis. The rational design and controllable preparation of well-defined (site-isolated) metal/photo bifunctional solid catalysts to meet such goals remain a critical challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the incorporation of privileged homogeneous bi...

(deuterium‐labeled) CF2H‐ and CFH2‐moieties are of high interest in drug discovery. The high demand for the incorporation of these fluoroalkyl moieties into molecular structures has witnessed significant synthetic progress, particularly in the (deutero)hydrodefluorination of CF3‐containing compounds. However, the controllable replacement of fluorin...

Here, this work reports an innovative strategy for the synthesis of chemically robust metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and applies them as catalysts for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A bimetallic squarate‐based MOF (Sq‐MOF) with a zbr topology serves as an excellent platform for electrocatalytic OER owing to its open porous...

Aryl borates lie at the heart of carbon-carbon bond couplings, and they are widely applied to the synthesis of functional materials, pharmaceutical compounds, and natural products. Currently, synthetic methods for aryl borates are mostly limited to metal-catalyzed routes, and nonmetallic strategies remain comparatively underdeveloped. Herein, we re...

The use of spectroscopy to characterize electrocatalytic processes is vital to the understanding and continuing development of new catalysts for clean energy transformations. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), which allows for the study of unpaired electron spins, shows great fundamental promise for the study of electrocatalysts, b...

A decarboxylative cyanation of amino acids under paired electrochemical reaction conditions has been developed. 4-CN-pyridine was found to be a new and effective cyanation reagent under catalyst-free conditions. Mechanistic studies support a nucleophilic reaction pathway, and the cyanation protocol can be applied to diverse substrates including N,N...

Dedicated to NSYSU Chemistry Department's 40th Anniversary. The design incorporates some of NSYSU's distinct features. These are the scenic Sizihwan bay, famous for its beautiful sunset, and the Monkey Mountain, home to the endemic Formosan rock macaques. Starting from the Aza‐o‐QM mountain, different N‐heterocycles were obtained through reactions...