GitVibes daily briefing · 2026-10-15 · science
Catalytic transfer of carbon atoms enables spirofusion of C–C σ-bonds
Curated by Vishakha
Perspective
I find the rhodium‑catalysed spiro‑carbon‑atom insertion intriguing, but I wonder how broadly it works beyond biphenylene substrates and whether competing σ‑bond activations might limit scope.
Source summary
Spirocyclic frameworks, polycyclic structures in which two rings share a single carbon atom, constitute key structural motifs across diverse areas, including optoelectronic and hole-transporting materials1–3, ligand design for coordination complexes4–6, and numerous natural products7. In a spiro skeleton, the two molecular units adopt an orthogonal…
Original reporting: Nature · Published 2026-10-14