This special issue of the Journal presents papers authored by RACI and AAS award winners from 2016 and 2017.

Synthesis of star polymers using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization through core-first and arm-first preparation are outlined. Biomedical applications of the resulting star polymers in controlled delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, protein inhibitors, signalling molecules, siRNA, and in constructing macromolecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents and fluorescent imaging agents, and theranostic vectors are discussed.

A new porous 3-dimensional coordination framework containing the novel photoactive ligand 5-((4-tert-butyl)phenylazo)isophthalic acid displays light-dependent spectroscopic properties.

The reactions of classic iridium and rhodium complexes with iodine(iii) oxidants are described. All reactions resulted in two-electron oxidation. Ligand exchange and anion scrambling were observed in monodentate ligand-containing complexes. In the case of reacting Iⁱⁱⁱ reagents with chelating ligand-containing complexes, no scrambling was observed, leading to the isolation of well-defined complexes.

A range of 3-hydroxymethylindoles undergo acid-catalysed reactions involving ipso-electrophilic substitution with the extrusion of methanal and the formation of diindolylmethane moieties. Both inter- and intramolecular processes lead to macrocyclic compounds.

The synthesis of 21-membered imine- and amine-linked tris-indole macrocycles starting from 7-nitroethylindoles is described.

New hole-transport materials have been applied in silicon–carbon nanotube solar cells to yield better performance.

The formation of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) in the presence of N-donor ligands results in changes in the nanoparticle optical properties and particle size distributions, depending on the nature of the donor ligands. CuNP formation kinetics are independent of the nature of the donor ligand.

Portable dielectric barrier discharge ionization is a plasma-based ion source for mass spectrometry that is significantly ‘softer’ than the two most widely used plasma-based ionization sources. This is important for the detection of intact molecules with thermolabile bonds, such as many explosives, and some chemical weapons and organic pollutants.

Redox-active porous organic polymers with heterocyclic linkers (furan, thiophene, and selenophene) have been synthesised and their electronic and spectroscopic properties investigated as a function of redox state. Through the use of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroelectrochemistry, it was found that the distinct redox states in these polymers could be reversibly accessed.

Peptide toxins from sea anemones may provide valuable drug leads. However, little is known about peptide toxin distribution in discrete morphological regions in sea anemones, which perform distinct biological functions. We utilise imaging mass spectrometry to examine peptide distribution in the Australian sea anemone, Oulactis muscosa, and infer biological function.