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New water ‐ soluble gold nanoparticles stabilized by a nitrogen ‐ rich poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) ‐ tagged substrate, which displayed excellent activity as recyclable catalyst for the mild and selective reduction of nitroarenes in water, have been prepared and characterized. Moreover, their potential ability as refractive index sensors has been demonstrated. More information can be found in the Full Paper on page 2437 by Roser Pleixats et   al. (DOI: 10.1002/asia.201500290). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface ‐ passivated SBA ‐ 15 ‐ supported gold nanoparticles that were nearly superhydrophobic, with a contact angle of 144°, were prepared by surface passivation based on a modified impregnation method, as reported by Jinsuo Gao et   al. in their Full paper on page   934   ff. In their study, which is featured on the Inside Cover, the authors found that the catalytic activity of these nanoparticles regarding the reduction of nitrobenzene was significantly increased (>14 times) when compared with non ‐ passivated SBA ‐ 15. Interestingly, the catalyst exhibited almost no catalytic activity for the more hydrophilic substrate 4 ‐ nitrophenol. Accordingly, such surface ‐ passivated catalysts may find use in the selective catalysis of hydrophobic substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]