The first report on emerged microplastics in deep-sea sediment: Insights from the Central Indian Ocean Basin.

Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) are widespread in coastal ecosystems and pose a growing global concern; however, their presence in deep-sea environments remains underexplored, especially in the Indian region. This study addresses this gap by providing the first comprehensive documentation of MPs in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) at a depth of 5000 m, marking the initial effort to assess their presence and abundance in deep-sea core samples. The study investigated the MP concentration, composition and potential sources, revealing a size range between 10 μm and 4900 μm, with average abundances recorded at BC20 (10.

Electroredox N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Catalyzed Enantioselective (3 + 3) Annulation of Enals with 2-Naphthols.

Developing asymmetric transformations using electroredox and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed radical pathways is still desirable and challenging. Herein, we report an iodide-promoted β-carbon activation (LUMO-lowering process) of enals via electroredox carbene catalysis coupled with a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This strategy offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable route for rapidly assembling synthetically useful chiral naphthopyran-3-one in good to excellent yield and enantioselectivity using traceless electrons as inexpensive and greener oxidants.

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalysis: from fundamentals to frontiers.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been used as organocatalysts for a multitude of C-C and C-heteroatom bond-forming reactions. They enable diverse modalities of activating a wide range of structurally distinct substrate classes and allow access to electronically distinct intermediates. The easy tunability of the NHC scaffold contributes to its versatility.

Access to β-Keto Amino Acid Derivatives via Interrupted Polonovski Strategy Involving NHC-Catalyzed Aza Benzoin Reaction.

A general and practical route to the synthesis of β-keto amino acid derivatives from aldehydes and bench stable imine surrogates is presented. Following the interrupted Polonovski strategy, the imine formed in situ was trapped by the catalytically generated Breslow intermediate in an aza benzoin reaction. The present strategy has been extended to the formal synthesis of florfenicol and an intermediate en route to vancomycin.

Vijay Nair (1941-2024): A Beacon of Wisdom.

Vijay Nair, one of India's most prominent organic chemists, passed away on April 12, 2024 at the age of 82. After a distinguished research career in the U.S.