Superionic Disulfonic Acid Polymers In article number 2501998, through controlled polymerizations of precisely engineered disulfonic acid monomers with well-defined functional group arrangements, Moon Jeong Park and co-workers simultaneously enhance the mechanical strength and ion transport properties of acid-functionalized polymers. This precise molecular design enables superionic conduction in elastic states, revealing unexpected hydrophobic behavior, and enabling the decoupling of ion relaxation from polymer chain dynamics.

Abstract Acid‐functionalized polymers have received significant attention for use in energy conversion systems. Sulfonated aromatic polymers have been widely studied for utilization in energy conversion systems; however, the occurrence of side reactions or uncertainties in the substitution has hindered progress in enhancing their properties. In this study, an approach is presented for developing superionic sulfonated polymers through the strategic design of disulfonic acid polymers with precisely arranged acid groups that allow fine‐tuned molecular interactions at the molecular level. Notably, the synthesized polystyrene 3,4‐disulfonic acid (PS di 34S), with sulfonic acid groups in close proximity to the meta and para positions of the styrene ring, exhibits lower charged states, significantly reduced acidity and hydrophobic characteristics due to intra‐monomer hydrogen bonding interactions. When the PS di 34S doped with ionic liquids, these interactions decouple ion relaxation from polymer relaxation, contrary to the strong trade‐off between ionic conductivity and mechanical strength observed in other sulfonic acid polystyrene counterparts. The PS di 34S electrolytes exhibit superionic conduction behavior, with a room temperature conductivity of 1.2 mS cm −1 and a shear modulus of 52 MPa (calculated Young's modulus of 156 MPa). Controlled polymerization routes for obtaining disulfonic acid polymers with excellent electrolyte properties offer significant promise for a wide range of electrochemical applications.

Targeted protein degradation allows targeting undruggable proteins for therapeutic applications as well as eliminating proteins of interest for research purposes. While several degraders that harness the proteasome or the lysosome have been developed, a technology that simultaneously degrades targets and accelerates cellular autophagic flux is still missing. In this study, we develop a general chemical tool and platform technology termed AUTOphagy-TArgeting Chimera (AUTOTAC), which employs bifunctional molecules composed of target-binding ligands linked to autophagy-targeting ligands. AUTOTACs bind the ZZ domain of the otherwise dormant autophagy receptor p62/Sequestosome-1/SQSTM1, which is activated into oligomeric bodies in complex with targets for their sequestration and degradation. We use AUTOTACs to degrade various oncoproteins and degradation-resistant aggregates in neurodegeneration at nanomolar DC₅₀ values in vitro and in vivo. AUTOTAC provides a platform for selective proteolysis in basic research and drug development.

Superionic Disulfonic Acid Polymers In article number 2501998, through controlled polymerizations of precisely engineered disulfonic acid monomers with well-defined functional group arrangements, Moon Jeong Park and co-workers simultaneously enhance the mechanical strength and ion transport properties of acid-functionalized polymers. This precise molecular design enables superionic conduction in elastic states, revealing unexpected hydrophobic behavior, and enabling the decoupling of ion relaxation from polymer chain dynamics.

Abstract Acid‐functionalized polymers have received significant attention for use in energy conversion systems. Sulfonated aromatic polymers have been widely studied for utilization in energy conversion systems; however, the occurrence of side reactions or uncertainties in the substitution has hindered progress in enhancing their properties. In this study, an approach is presented for developing superionic sulfonated polymers through the strategic design of disulfonic acid polymers with precisely arranged acid groups that allow fine‐tuned molecular interactions at the molecular level. Notably, the synthesized polystyrene 3,4‐disulfonic acid (PS di 34S), with sulfonic acid groups in close proximity to the meta and para positions of the styrene ring, exhibits lower charged states, significantly reduced acidity and hydrophobic characteristics due to intra‐monomer hydrogen bonding interactions. When the PS di 34S doped with ionic liquids, these interactions decouple ion relaxation from polymer relaxation, contrary to the strong trade‐off between ionic conductivity and mechanical strength observed in other sulfonic acid polystyrene counterparts. The PS di 34S electrolytes exhibit superionic conduction behavior, with a room temperature conductivity of 1.2 mS cm −1 and a shear modulus of 52 MPa (calculated Young's modulus of 156 MPa). Controlled polymerization routes for obtaining disulfonic acid polymers with excellent electrolyte properties offer significant promise for a wide range of electrochemical applications.

Targeted protein degradation allows targeting undruggable proteins for therapeutic applications as well as eliminating proteins of interest for research purposes. While several degraders that harness the proteasome or the lysosome have been developed, a technology that simultaneously degrades targets and accelerates cellular autophagic flux is still missing. In this study, we develop a general chemical tool and platform technology termed AUTOphagy-TArgeting Chimera (AUTOTAC), which employs bifunctional molecules composed of target-binding ligands linked to autophagy-targeting ligands. AUTOTACs bind the ZZ domain of the otherwise dormant autophagy receptor p62/Sequestosome-1/SQSTM1, which is activated into oligomeric bodies in complex with targets for their sequestration and degradation. We use AUTOTACs to degrade various oncoproteins and degradation-resistant aggregates in neurodegeneration at nanomolar DC₅₀ values in vitro and in vivo. AUTOTAC provides a platform for selective proteolysis in basic research and drug development.

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) suffer from dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, limiting their lifespan and stability. While in situ gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) form robust electrode-electrolyte interfaces, conventional approaches typically require chemical initiators and crosslinkers that impose harsh conditions, generate byproducts, and result in discontinuous Zn²⁺ conduction pathways. Here, we report that simple mixing of sulfobetaine methacrylate with an aqueous ZnSO₄ solution spontaneously induces self-polymerization, enabling an initiator- and crosslinker-free in situ self-polymerizing GPE under room-temperature and ambient-air conditions without external energy. Zn²⁺ lowers electron density at the vinyl group and induces monomeric aggregates, triggering self-polymerization and rapid formation of a physically crosslinked GPE. The resulting network provides intimate electrode-electrolyte contact and continuous Zn²⁺ conduction channels, achieving a high Zn²⁺ transference number (0.76). Zn||Zn symmetric cells employing this GPE suppress dendrite formation and exhibit stable cycling for over 4100 h and reliable low-temperature (-10°C) operation, significantly outperforming conventional initiator- and crosslinker-based in situ GPEs. Zn||VO₂ full cells also exhibit excellent cycling stability with ∼96% capacity retention. This ZnSO₄-induced in situ self-polymerizing GPE strategy embodies green chemistry principles and enables a high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable solution to zinc anode challenges, paving the way for next-generation AZMBs.

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are promising for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), with in situ GPEs offering improved interfacial contact. However, conventional in situ GPEs require initiators and crosslinkers, which can cause Zn corrosion and ion-trapping effects. Here, we report a zwitterionic in situ GPE that self-polymerization at room temperature without initiators or crosslinkers, enabling uniform Zn plating/stripping. The symmetric cell exhibits remarkable stability, sustaining over 4,000 hours at 0.5 mAh cm⁻² and 0.5 mA cm⁻². A Zn|Zn 0.25 V 2 O 5 full cell further confirms excellent electrochemical performance without side reactions, demonstrating the potential of this system for next-generation AZIBs.

A transition metal-free method for C4-arylated quinolines synthesis from propargylic chloride and aniline was developed using 1,1,1,3,3,3,-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). During the <i>N</i>-alkylation process, overalkylation was effectively resolved by hydrogen bonding interaction in HFIP. The cyclized intermediates were oxidized to quinolines under ambient air without additional oxidants. A cosolvent system was found to expand the substrate scope to include unstable electron-rich propargyl substrates by preventing acid-induced decomposition.

Abstract The pathogenesis of tauopathies including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) involves the misfolding and aggregation of tau. Here, we employed AUTOTAC to induce the lysosomal degradation of intraneuronal tau aggregates. ATB2005A is a 734-Da chimera that simultaneously binds β-sheet-rich tau aggregates and the autophagic receptor p62/SQSTM1, leading to autophagosomal sequestration and lysosomal co-degradation. In mouse models of tauopathies, orally administered ATB2005A lowered intraneuronal tau aggregates and exerted the therapeutic efficacy in neuroinflammation as well as cognition, behavior, and muscle movements. A Phase 2 clinical trial (U34401-4/2023/14) with companion dogs carrying canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) demonstrated the efficacy of ATB2005A, as a veterinary medicine, to reverse the disease progression. ATB2005A is under Phase 1 clinical trial with human participants in Korea (202300697). These results validate AUTOTAC as a versatile platform for developing therapeutics to eradicate toxic protein aggregates in a wide range of proteinopathies.