The stereochemistry of chiral-at-metal complexes is much more abundant, albeit complicated, than chiral-at-carbon compounds, but how to make use of stereolabile metal-centers remains a formidable challenge due to the highly versatile coordination geometry of metal ions and racemization/epimerization problem. We demonstrate herein a stepwise assembly of configurationally stable [Pd 6 (FeL 3 ) 8 ] 28+ (Δ/Λ-MOCs-42) homochiral octahedral cages from unstable D 3 -symmetry trischelate-Fe type metalloligands via strong face-directed stereochemical coupling and facile chiral-induced resolution processes based on stereodifferentiating host−guest dynamics. Kinetic studies reveal that the dissociation rate of MOC-42 cages is 100-fold slower than that of Femetalloligands and the racemization is effectively inhibited, making the cages retain their chirality over extended periods of time (>5 months) at room temperature. Recyclable enantioseparation of atropisomeric compounds has been successfully achieved, giving up to 88% ee.

An anocage coupling effect from ar edoxR u II -Pd II metal-organic cage is demonstrated for efficient photochemical H 2 production by virtue of redox-guest modulation of the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process. Through coupling with photoredox cycle of MOC-16, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) guests act as electron relaym ediator to improve the overall electron transfer efficiency in the hostguest system in al ong-time scale,l eading to significant promotion of visible-light driven H 2 evolution. By contrast, the presence of larger TTF-derivatives in bulk solution without host-guest interactions results in interference with PET process of MOC-16, leading to inefficient H 2 evolution. Suchi nteraction provides an example to understand the interplay between the redox-active nanocage and guest for optimization of redox events and photocatalytic activities in ac onfined chemical nanoenvironment.

Light-induced [2 + 2] cycloaddition is the most straightforward way to generate cyclobutanes, which are core structures of many natural products, drugs and bioactive compounds. Despite continuous advances in selective [2 + 2] cycloaddition research, general method for intermolecular photocatalysis of acyclic olefins with specific regio- and diastereoselectivity, for example, syn-head-to-head (syn-HH) cyclobutane derivatives, is still lack of development but highly desired. Herein, we report a cage-confined photocatalytic protocol to enable unusual intermolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition for α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. The syn-HH diastereomers are readily generated with diastereoselectivity up to 99%. The cage-catalyst is highly efficient and robust, covering a diverse substrate range with excellent substituent tolerance. The mimic-enzyme catalysis is proposed through a host-guest mediated procedure expedited by aqueous phase transition of reactant and product, where the supramolecular cage effect plays an important role to facilitate substrates inclusion and pre-orientation, offering a promising avenue for general and eco-friendly cycloaddition photocatalysis with special diastereoselectivity.

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Hard coatings are extensively required in industry for protecting mechanical/structural parts that withstand extremely high temperature, stress, chemical corrosion, and other hostile environments. Electrical discharge coating (EDC) is an emerging surface modification technology to produce such hard coatings by using electrical discharges to coat a layer of material on workpiece surface to modify and enhance the surface characteristics or create new surface functions. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of EDC technologies for various materials, and summarises the types and key parameters of EDC processes as well as the characteristics of resulting coatings. It provides a systematic summary of the fundamentals and key features of the EDC processes, as well as its applications and future trends.