Research highlights from BCM2
Recent advances in the degradation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) at low temperature (≤100 °C)
The remarkable properties of PTFE have led to its widespread use in both everyday and specialist applications, however its disposal proves challenging, either persisting for long periods in landfill, or requiring temperature intensive processes which generate environmentally damaging ‘forever chemicals’. This perspective article explores the cutting-edge methods for the degradation of PTFE at low temperature and, in some cases, subsequent chemical upcycling. 
M. E. Lowe, M. N. Hopkinson, D. J. Kubicki, E. Lu, and R. J. Armstrong. Chem. Sci (2026), DOI: 10.1039/D6SC03192G
Vibrational Exfoliation of 2D Materials
This work presents a new method for mechanically synthesising 2D materials. Vibrational processes (such as resonant acoustic mixing) are not normally known for generating “high shear”, and so this approach departs from what has typically been viewed as necessary up to now. Through folding, splitting and peeling solid layered materials, platelets are produced. The strain present in the liquid phase then overcomes vdW interactions between atomic/molecular layers in these platelets to produce 2D materials (graphene, h-BN, WS2, MoS2). Also exciting to see is the multiphase numerical methods currently being developed come into play to help understand the spatio-temporal synthesis conditions in what is a complex environment to probe experimentally.
A. Rabani, F. A. Khaleel, F. S. Al-Gburi, I. Ramirez, T. Friščić, and J. Stafford; Small (2026), DOI: 10.1002/smll.202511652
Tandem Reactivity of Metal−Carbon and Carbon−Silicon Bonds in Mononuclear α-Silyl Organolithium or Organosodium Complexes Towards CO, CO2 and Heteroallenes
This work reports paradigm-shifting reactivity in one of the most widely used classes of organometallic compounds: α-silyl alkyl complexes. Traditionally, only the metal–carbon bond in these complexes is considered reactive, with the carbon–silicon bond remaining inert. This study demonstrates tandem reactivity of both bonds, fundamentally changing how these ubiquitous complexes can be understood and applied.
X. Yang, J. M. Hemingway, W. Kanna, N. Davison, H. Hayashi, L. Male, P. G. Waddell, J. A. Dawson and E. Lu; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (2026), DOI: 10.1002/anie.8906317