Vol. 117 No. 4 (2021)

The indole nucleus constitutes a privileged platform present in a wide variety of natural products and drugs. In this article we review the contributions of our research group in relation to the enantioselective functionalization of the different positions of the indole nucleus by metal catalysis and organocatalysis.

Keywords: indole, hydroxyindoles, metal catalysis, organocatalysis

Recent developments in main group chemistry show the promising applications of p-block elements in redox catalysis. Bismuth, a benign element from the pnictogen group, has recently aroused as an attractive alternative to transition-metal catalysis, showing unprecedented reactivity by exploiting redox catalytic processes that mimic traditional organometallic steps typically performed by d-block elements. Rational design of ligand scaffolds resulted in robust Bi-based catalytic systems able to engage in low-valent and high-valent redox catalytic processes.

Keywords: Bismuth, redox catalysis, fluorination, oxidative coupling, hydrogenation

Given the importance that genetics has nowadays in many fields of science, this revision is made with the purpose of synthetize the main hypothesis around the emergence of DNA before the beginning of life.

Keywords: prebiotic chemistry, chemical evolution, origin of life, DNA, RNA

A well-known commercial stated that “life is not made for counting calories”. Curiously, this successful slogan served to advertise a very unhealthy product of very low nutritional quality. However, the sentence makes sense: counting calories is not useful when it comes to nutrition and dietetics.

Keywords: thermodynamics, biochemistry, calorimetry, nutrition, dietetics

Circular economy is becoming one of the most important concepts in the world economy due to the great environmental benefits it presents. However, the lack of qualified personnel in this area is causing a great rejection in the industrial sector. In this way, University of Seville is including teaching dedicated to the circular economy in its academic training. In this context, the objective of this work is to publicize the key aspects of the circular economy teaching carried out at the University of Seville.

Keywords: Circular economy, University of Seville, teaching, education, environment

The Specialized Group of Organometallic Chemistry (GEQO) of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry has turned 40 this year. The GEQO has been, since its foundation in 1981, the meeting point of researchers working in any aspect of organometallic chemistry. A short recollection of how the research activity in this field started is presented here, as well as some notes regarding the results obtained by the groups working in this field in Spain. This activity has made organometallic chemistry the thriving area that it is today in this country. The GEQO has been the showcase of this activity and intends to keep being a forum to exchange ideas in order to face the challenges in the field

Keywords: Organometallic chemistry, Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry, Specialized Group of Organometallic Chemistry

Thanks to the recognition given to Almadén and its mines by EuChemS, Europe will mark on its map a region that has lived by and for Mercury. This metal has a lot of history and interests both at a chemical level and in many other sectors and has given life to many spectacular moments and monuments that we recommend you to know and visit, but so that when you come you can fully enjoy this fantastic enclave we recommend you to read this article, where we want you to walk previously through its history and know why and for what is mercury there and to understand how it has been fundamental in the region and in its life, having this metal in its lands. Initially, this contribution describes what this recognition means and how and when it was granted, as well as some fantastic contributions from four experts that allow us to live and better understand a history that should be known and in which chemistry and other fundamental sciences have been and will always be present.

Keywords: Almadén, mercury, miners, mines, EuChems Historical Landmarcks