Australian Journal of Chemistry

Australian Journal of Chemistry - an International Journal for Chemical Science publishes research papers from all fields of chemical science, with a focus on multidisciplinary chemistry and emerging areas of research. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: George Koutsantonis and John Wade

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Journal of Chemistry is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 17 June 2025

CH25013Experimental and theoretical investigation of the relative catalytic activities of triphenylphosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene in oxa–Michael addition of phenols

Priyanka Suthar, Ruchi Singh, Rashi Bala Vyas and Raj K. Bansal

A schematic of how phenols react with DMAD in the presence of phosphine or NHC as catalyst to give aryl vinyl ethers by the Michael reaction

The catalytic activities of triphenylphosphine and N-heterocyclic carbene, namely 3-benzyl-4,5-dimethylthiazolylidene, have been compared by carrying out oxa–Michael additions of some phenols with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of one of these catalysts. The experimental results have been rationalised on the basis of theoretical calculations. (Image credit: Priyanka Suthar.)

Published online 16 June 2025

CH24117Valencene derived from essential oils of Psidium guajava L. as multi-target neurodegenerative inhibitor: a computational study

Ram Lal Swagat Shrestha, Sujan Dhital

, Nirmal Parajuli, Prabhat Neupane, Manila Poudel

, Timila Shrestha, Samjhana Bharati, Binita Maharjan, Bishnu Prasad Marasini

and Jhashanath Adhikari Subin

Schematic showing compounds present in Psidium guajava and graphics of the associated proteins that were evaluated against neurodegenerative disorders.

The compounds present in Psidium guajava L. were evaluated against three different proteins (PDB ID: 4A79, 7E3H, 7F61) associated with the regulation of neurodegenerative diseases. Using a computational approach, these compounds were tested for their capability to inhibit the proteins. The resultssupport the potential of P. guajava compounds in managing neurodegenerative disorders. (Image credit: the authors.)

CH24117 Abstract | CH24117 Full Text | CH24117PDF (2.1 MB) | CH24117Supplementary Material (588 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 04 June 2025

CH25006closo-Borate aryliodonium zwitterions: convenient intermediates for functional closo-borane derivatives and molecular materials

Piotr Kaszynski

Schematic of the functionalization of closo-borates through aryliodonium zwitterions.

This review summarizes the formation, structure, stability and reactions of aryliodonium zwitterions of closo-borate anions. The zwitterions are formed by regioselective aryliodination of closo-borates with ArI^II reagents and undergo efficient reactions with nucleophiles. Therefore, this tandem of reactions represents an effective regioselective activation of the B–H bonds in closo-borates towards nucleophilic substitution. (Image credit: Piotr Kaszyński.)

CH25006 Abstract | CH25006 Full Text | CH25006PDF (4 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 16 May 2025

CH25002_COCorrigendum to: Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of pyrrole derivative: a green and sustainable method

Vaishali, Shubham Sharma, Preeti Jain, Ankush Thakur, Sobhi M. Gomha and Swati Rani

CH25002_CO Full Text | CH25002_COPDF (681 KB)

Published online 12 May 2025

CH24160Synthesis and anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of novel matrine tricyclic derivatives

Yongchuang Wang, Hang Yang, Wenming Tang, Luozhu Zhou, Chuanhao Wang, Anhua Huang, Daozuan Zhang, Zheng Yao, Wei Li, Wannian Zhang, Yuelin Wu, Weiheng Xu and Zhenyuan Miao

Structure of matrine and its tricyclic derivative alongside its effect on TGF-β1-induced expression of collagen I and α-SMA in LX-2 cells.

Novel matrine tricyclic derivatives have been designed and synthesised by a molecular fusion strategy. The most active compound ZM842 indicated potent inhibitory TGF-β transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner by downregulating collagen I and α-SMA protein. (Image credit: Yongchuang Wang.)

Published online 12 May 2025

CH25002Ionic liquid-assisted synthesis of pyrrole derivative: a green and sustainable method

Vaishali, Shubham Sharma

, Preeti Jain, Ankush Thakur, Sobhi M. Gomha and Swati Rani

Synthesis of tether and fused pyrrole derivatives using ionic liquids as solvent and catalyst from 2001 to 2024.

Green synthesis is garnering global interest among researchers due to its distinctive characteristics and ecological advantages. Researchers are developing innovative ionic liquids (ILs) and enhancing their characteristics for application in green chemistry and synthesis, including environmentally friendly solvents and catalysts. They have been extensively used as green catalysts and solvent systems for the synthesis of many important heterocycles because of their distinctive features. (Image credit: Shubham Sharma.)

Published online 12 May 2025

CH24163Ring-expansion reactions of Cyrene and derivatives with ethyl diazoacetate

Johannes Puschnig, Oscar Lamb, Christopher J. Sumby and Ben W. Greatrex

Reaction scheme for the ring-expansion of Cyrene with ethyl diazoacetate and subsequent decarboxylation.

Levoglucosenone and the reduced analogue Cyrene are versatile chiral intermediates for synthesis, available from the cellulose fraction of biomass by acid-catalysed pyrolysis. An ethyl diazoacetate mediated ring expansion has been developed for Cyrene, and combination with a decarboxylation has resulted in homologated ring-systems. Some selected reactions for the first homologated ring-system were then investigated. (Image credit: Ben Greatrex.)

CH24163 Abstract | CH24163 Full Text | CH24163PDF (909 KB) | CH24163Supplementary Material (2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 02 April 2025

CH24055The electrophilic cyanation of alkynyl halides (bromides or chlorides) with N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-methylbenzenesulfonamide (NCTS) using a zinc reagent

Yan Chen, Xiaotong Zhang, Xiao Yun Chen

and Cui-Feng Yang

Efficient low-toxicity synthesis of substituted propiolonitriles using electrophilic cyanation with eco-friendly NCTS.

The Zn-mediated environmentally friendly and low-cost preparation of propiolonitriles using electrophilic cyanation of alkynyl bromides with N-cyano-N-phenyl-p-methylbenzenesulfonamide (NCTS) has been achieved here. In this new protocol, only low-toxicity, stable and easy-to-handle cyanating reagents, NCTS and inexpensive zinc dust were needed. (Image credit: Xiao Yun Chen.)

Published online 17 March 2025

CH24130Three decades of quantum science: how quantum chemistry transformed thermochemical database generation for benchmarking DFT and machine learning

Amir Karton

Image of showing three methods, Computational Chemistry, Chemical Databases and Machine Learning, that have revolutionised chemical databases for DFT benchmarking and ML applications

This review underscores the pivotal role of high-level composite wavefunction methods in revolutionising the construction of highly accurate thermochemical databases. These breakthroughs are critical for generating large-scale thermochemical datasets, which are crucial for advancing density functional theory (DFT) methods and improving machine-learning models to enable more reliable chemical predictions. (Image credit: A. Karton.)

CH24130 Abstract | CH24130 Full Text | CH24130PDF (1.3 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 14 March 2025

CH24146Synthesis of novel mono BN substituted symmetrical and asymmetrical perylene diimides for fluoride anion detection

Luna Yang, Yifan Wang, Chenhao Wang, Feng Liu

, Weiping Chen, Yonggang Wu and Hongchi Zhao

Schematics of three novel mono BN substituted perylene diimide (PDI) derivatives and images of HeLa cells treated with PDI-BN1.

Three novel mono BN substituted derivatives (PDI-BN1, PDI-BN2 and PDI-BN3) of symmetrical and asymmetrical perylene diimides were designed and efficiently synthesised using a concise synthetic strategy. These derivatives exhibited orange fluorescence, with their properties finely adjustable by integrating various fused aryl rings. Except for F⁻ ions, these derivatives have shown no affinity for other anions. (Image credit: Feng Liu.)

Published online 04 February 2025

CH24086AuNPs synthesised in situ from self-assembled peptide hydrogels modulating peptide secondary structure

Bin Huang, Lingyi Li, Fuzhen Yan, Fangjie Liu

, Jin Zhang, Linlin Zhong and Wenlong Xu

Schematic diagram of hydrogel preparation and mechanism.

An amphiphilic peptide Fmoc-FFCKK-OH was designed to induce peptide self-assembly to form hydrogels by Au³⁺ ligand interaction. This study contributes to further understanding the role of AuNPs binding specifically to peptides in the formation of β-sheet-like aggregates and provides a research basis for AuNPs as amyloid aggregation regulator. (Image credit: Fangjie Liu.)

Published online 31 January 2025

CH24156A new method for the preparation of Fe^IV and comparison with the performance of FeO₄²⁻

Haoda Guo, Linhao Fan and Naidong Zhang

A diagram and the chemical formula of the pathway of NaClO to Na2FeO3.

Na₂FeO₃ serves as a highly effective water-purifying agent, demonstrating superior performance when compared to ferrate(VI). This study focuses on the eco-friendly synthesis of Na₂FeO₃ crystals utilising sodium hypochlorite as the medium through a concentration method under depressurisation. The cost of synthesis is obviously lower than the traditional method. (Image credit: Haoda Guo.)

Published online 31 January 2025

CH24162Properties and antifouling performance of fabricated polymers containing copper thiocyanate

Krishnamurthy Prasad, Richard F. Piola, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Hareem Khan, Paul J. Molino, Dominic J. Hare

, Nisa V. Salim and Nishar Hameed

Progressive fouling of cast epoxy and 3-D-printed urethane test samples in a marine environment over a 3-month trial.

Functionalised polymers with antimicrobial properties have many applications as fouling-resistant materials in the maritime sector. Two polymer-based fabrication systems – one using a cast epoxy resin and the other employing stereolithography to produce polyurethane-based designs – were both used to produce structures incorporating dispersed copper thiocyanate for testing and evaluation as fouling-resistant materials. (Image credit: Richard Piola and Dominic Hare.)

CH24162 Abstract | CH24162 Full Text | CH24162PDF (3.7 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 14 January 2025

CH24150Exploring clomiphene inclusion in β-cyclodextrin: a computational approach

Hélio F. Dos Santos

, Eloah P. Ávila and Cleber P. A. Anconi

Stable inclusion complexes of clomiphene in β-cyclodextrin with corresponding multi-equilibrium association constants.

The inclusion process of clomiphene into β-cyclodextrin was investigated using various molecular modelling techniques, including static quantum computational (QC) methods, molecular dynamics (MD) and sequential QC/MD approaches. The calculated association constant $(K_{expt}^{EZ} = 46.94 \times M^{- 1})$ showed good agreement with the experimental data $(K_{expt}^{EZ} = 50.21 \times M^{- 1})$ , reflecting contributions from both multi-equilibrium processes and the fixed composition of the isomeric mixture. These results enhance understanding of the inclusion process and propose new methodological approaches for future research. (Image credit: Hélio F. Dos Santos.)

Published online 10 January 2025

CH24137Disclosure of the hydrogen evolution mechanism on [FeFe]-hydrogenases-inspired molecular catalysts – a DFT study

Siyao Qiu, Aimin Yu and Chenghua Sun

Experimental overpotential data for catalysts compared with the calculated largest energy difference of the reaction.

Theoretical calculations on the hydrogen evolution process by [FeFe]-hydrogenases-inspired molecular catalysts were linked with experimental catalytic performance to reveal their possible reaction mechanism. The theoretical data exhibited a good match with the experimental overpotential data, with a R² of 0.592. (Image credit: Siyao Qiu.)

CH24137 Abstract | CH24137 Full Text | CH24137PDF (1.9 MB) | CH24137Supplementary Material (894 KB) Open Access Article

More content

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

CH25059, Accepted 21 June 2025

The development of a bioassay expressing the human MRGPRX2 receptor for ex vivo drug discovery

Jan Tytgat

CH25059Abstract

CH25030, Accepted 18 June 2025

The cooperative effect of CPC micelles and Ru(III) on the rate enhancement of L-tyrosine oxidation by N-bromosuccinimide

ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA

, Vinay Kumar Singh and Neetu Srivastava

CH25030Abstract

CH25070, Accepted 17 June 2025

The Value of Telling it Like it Was. The Best Honours Project Ever?

Christopher Barnett

, Thomas Maschmeyer, Anthony Masters and Alexander Yuen

CH25070Abstract

Unlocking therapeutic potential: the role of adamantane in drug discovery

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (8)

Chianna Dane, Grace A. Cumbers , Beau Allen, Andrew P. Montgomery , Jonathan J. Danon , Michael Kassiou
Novel fluorinated thiazolidin-4-one derivatives: synthesis and anti-cancer potential against HepG2 and HCT116 cell lines

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (9)

Shreyash D. Kadam, Denni Mammen , Vishwanath Zunjar, Rahul R. Bagul
The cyclobutene diester approach to alkyl citrate natural products

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (9)

Nikolai P. Rossouw, Mark A. Rizzacasa
Ring-expansion reactions of Cyrene and derivatives with ethyl diazoacetate

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (5)

Johannes Puschnig, Oscar Lamb, Christopher J. Sumby, Ben W. Greatrex
Three decades of quantum science: how quantum chemistry transformed thermochemical database generation for benchmarking DFT and machine learning

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (3)

Amir Karton
The quantification of radical concentration in organic radical polymers: techniques and challenges

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (9)

Theo A. Ellingsen , Stuart C. Thickett , Rebecca O. Fuller
Synthesis and stability studies of constrained peptide–antimony bicycles

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (9)

Sven Ullrich , Pritha Ghosh, Minghao Shang, Sauhta Siryer, Santhanalaxmi Kumaresan, Bishvanwesha Panda, Lani J. Davies, Upamali Somathilake, Abhishek P. Patel, Christoph Nitsche
Properties and antifouling performance of fabricated polymers containing copper thiocyanate

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (2)

Krishnamurthy Prasad, Richard F. Piola, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Hareem Khan, Paul J. Molino, Dominic J. Hare , Nisa V. Salim, Nishar Hameed
Disclosure of the hydrogen evolution mechanism on [FeFe]-hydrogenases-inspired molecular catalysts – a DFT study

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (1)

Siyao Qiu, Aimin Yu, Chenghua Sun
Self-assembled monolayers: a journey from fundamental tools for understanding interfaces to commercial sensing technologies

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (10)

Essam M. Dief, Richard D. Tilley, J. Justin Gooding
Structural diversity in nudibranch chemistry: elucidation of norditerpenes with a dendrillane scaffold from the Australian nudibranch Goniobranchus coi

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (7)

Louise C. Forster , Gregory K. Pierens , James J. De Voss , Mary J. Garson
Ru/MgO-catalysed selective aerobic oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (10)

Priya Lokhande, Paresh L. Dhepe, Karen Wilson, Adam F. Lee
Expanding on the plecstatin anticancer agent class: exchange of the chlorido ligand for N-heterocyclic ligands

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (9)

Saawan Kumar, Mie Riisom, Stephen M. F. Jamieson, Tilo Söhnel, Suresh Bhargava, Jing Sun, Christian G. Hartinger
closo-Borate aryliodonium zwitterions: convenient intermediates for functional closo-borane derivatives and molecular materials

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (6)

Piotr Kaszynski
New opportunities for molecular photoswitches as wearable ultraviolet radiation dosimeters

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (10)

Lauren E. Blackwell, Sandra Wiedbrauk, Nathan R. B. Boase
Valencene derived from essential oils of Psidium guajava L. as multi-target neurodegenerative inhibitor: a computational study

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (6)

Ram Lal Swagat Shrestha, Sujan Dhital , Nirmal Parajuli, Prabhat Neupane, Manila Poudel , Timila Shrestha, Samjhana Bharati, Binita Maharjan, Bishnu Prasad Marasini , Jhashanath Adhikari Subin
Bayesian approaches to assigning the source of an odour detected by an electronic nose

Australian Journal of Chemistry 77 (10)

D. Brynn Hibbert
A new method for the preparation of Fe^IV and comparison with the performance of FeO₄²⁻

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (2)

Haoda Guo, Linhao Fan, Naidong Zhang
Synthesis and anti-hepatic fibrosis activity of novel matrine tricyclic derivatives

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (5)

Yongchuang Wang, Hang Yang, Wenming Tang, Luozhu Zhou, Chuanhao Wang, Anhua Huang, Daozuan Zhang, Zheng Yao, Wei Li, Wannian Zhang, Yuelin Wu, Weiheng Xu, Zhenyuan Miao
Synthesis of novel mono BN substituted symmetrical and asymmetrical perylene diimides for fluoride anion detection

Australian Journal of Chemistry 78 (3)

Luna Yang, Yifan Wang, Chenhao Wang, Feng Liu , Weiping Chen, Yonggang Wu, Hongchi Zhao

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Beckwith Review Series

Beckwith Reviews honour the memory of Professor Athelstan (Athel) L. J. Beckwith, a remarkable man and an outstanding chemist. These invited reviews advance knowledge in current key areas of research in chemistry.

Last Updated: 04 Jun 2025

10th Anniversary Collection of RACI and AAS Award papers

This collection presents papers submitted by 2023–24 Australian Academy of Science and Royal Australian Chemical Institute Award winners.

All papers in this collection are Open Access and the foreword by the Guest Editor, Curt Wentrup of the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at The University of Queensland, is free to read.

Last Updated: 10 Oct 2024

Primer Review Series

Primer Reviews are concise, authoritative overviews of important contemporary topics in the chemical sciences. They should appeal to advanced undergraduates, the general research chemist who is new to the field, as well as the expert. They provide a solid introduction to the development of a subject, the latest breakthrough results and their implications for the wider scientific community.

Last Updated: 12 Sep 2024

Cornforth Review Series

Cornforth Reviews honour the memory of Sir John Warcup Cornforth (usually known as Kappa to friends and colleagues). These invited reviews advance knowledge in current key areas of research in chemistry.

Last Updated: 22 Aug 2024

The Medicinal Chemistry Collection

Australian Journal of Chemistry is approaching its eighth decade of publishing key work across many spheres of chemistry, both national and international. As the current co-editors-in-chief, we are delighted to introduce this collection that highlights a selection of the finest recent articles in medicinal chemistry. We are proud to also highlight the significant contributions to medicinal chemistry research made by several outstanding women researchers.

Collection Editors
John Wade and George Koutsantonis

Last Updated: 01 Oct 2020

70 Years of Australian Journal of Chemistry: A Retrospective

This collection reflects the breadth and quality of science published in the Australian Journal of Chemistry by Australian scientists over the last seven decades. Papers were selected based on hard data (citations and downloads), but we also chose papers that reflect other criteria, such as landmarks in important aspects of chemical science; recognition of an influential individual; gender diversity; and simply to reflect the breadth of the journal’s output.

Last Updated: 07 Feb 2019

Nobel Laureates

Australian Journal of Chemistry is proud to have published the works of a number of Nobel prize winners of chemistry. This collection brings together the articles authored by these Nobel prize winners.

Last Updated: 01 Nov 2012

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