Themed collection Dalton Transactions HOT Articles

This study focuses on various luminescent and colorimetric metal–organic sensors employed for Ni(II) detection, with an emphasis on state-of-the-art overview, latest development and challenges.

Cu-based metal complex multifunctionalization for enhanced CDT.

The direct synthesis of H₂O₂ (DSHP) is considered a promising process to replace anthraquinone method. In this review, we discussed the recent advances in tuning the microenvironment for enhancing DSHP performance and pointed out the challenges.

This Frontier article highlights our recent advances in the construction of efficient POM-based photocatalytic hydrogen evolution systems, focusing on polyoxometalate catalysts, light-absorbing photosensitizers, and sacrificial reagents.

Short-bite diphosphines of the form R₂P–X–PR₂ (PXP; X = O, S; R = aryl, alkyl) are widely underexplored, although they undergo an interesting equilibrium with the PPX (R₂P(X)–PR₂) tautomer. This opens up a very versatile coordination chemistry.

Known reports of homogeneous dioxygen reduction mediated by Ti, V, and Cr are discussed, as well as possible future strategies for more active and selective systems.

Nickel complexes bearing tetradentate N-heterocyclic carbene amidate ligands were prepared and investigated in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction.

Titanosiloxane molecules comprising tetrahedrally coordinated Ti centers and branched siloxane cages are synthesized. These titanosiloxane molecules are important as models for Ti-containing silica-based catalysts.

A switchable, solvent-free catalytic system was developed in which Al catalysts selectively initiate either the formation of polyether or polycarbonate through the application of a PPNCl (bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride) cocatalyst.

Two amino-functionalized metal–organic frameworks (UPC-121 and UPC-122) with different topologies were obtained by regulating metal ions. Among them, UPC-122 exhibit the potential to separate C₂H₂/C₂H₄ at room temperature.

A 2-fold interpenetrating Zn-MOF constructed from mixed ligands and a paddle-wheel cluster not only exhibits good IAST selective separation of C₂H₆/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂, but also exhibits good selective detection of Fe³⁺, [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in water.

The reaction of 2-aminobiphenyl ArNH₂ with triethylamine borane (Et₃NBH₃) at 165 °C, about 40 °C lower temperature than that used for borazine synthesis, gives a linear HArN-BH-NAr-BH-NArH chain in good yield (57%).

Bi–Bi₂O₃ photoredox cycles, which run via UV-blue light-sensitive bismuth(III) thiolates (Bi(SR)₃) and dissolved reactive oxygen, play a catalytic role in the net thiol-to-disulfide production.

Dinitrogen activation has long been a challenging goal in chemistry. Tailored superbase phosphines offer a promising approach to overcome this challenge by going beyond the traditional triple bond.

Crystal structure of PbTeO₄ with presumed position of the Pb^II lone-pair electrons (turquoise spheres). The electron localization function was used to emphasize the presence of the electron lone pair E.

The contamination of water resources by organic pollutants presents significant environmental and health challenges.

Histatin 3 and 4 have greater activity against Gram(+) than Gram(−) bacteria, and Cu(II) or Zn(II) binding can moderately increase their antimicrobial activity. The N-terminal part of histatin 3 becomes α-helical upon Zn(II) binding.

A biocompatible Zr-based metal–organic framework drug release system, CIP@SU-102, was fabricated by the cation exchange method, which shows superior and long-lasting antibacterial activity as well as effective promotion of infected wound healing.

Np(VI/V) redox in a molecular complex was probed in protic and aprotic organic media with electroanalytical, spectroscopic, and structural work. Insights into the reversible electron transfer to interconvert Np(VI) and Np(V) have been obtained.

Comprehensive computational investigations predict the potential of several hitherto unknown tripodal vanadium complexes in the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) without the probability of generation of hydrazine as a side product.

Fundamental vibrational and electronic properties of plutonium tetrafluoride are explored with multiple techniques such as infrared, diffuse reflectance and Raman.

We synthesize and characterize As(Cys)₃, Sb(Cys)₃, and Bi(Cys)₃, describe their crystal structures, analyze structural trends across Pn(SR)₃ compounds, and compare their features to the structures of proteins with these centers bound to Cys₃ motifs.

This study utilizes LA-ICP-MS to reveal the distribution and determine the concentration of Pt in MDA-MB-231 cells, providing insight into the mechanism and efficacy of Pt-based chemotherapeutic drugs.

In this contribution we introduce a new UofT (University of Toronto) series of olefin-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The nickel-based congener of the series, UofT-2(Ni), is the first example of a stable mesoporous olefinic pillared MOF.

Cyrene™ as a green alternative to N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the synthesis of ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes was explored.

This work provides a simple new strategy to design Ru(II) polypyridyl-based photoactivated chemotherapeutic agents via the attachment of ‘uncageable’ anticancer agents based on a serendipitous crossed aldol reaction in the ligand periphery.

The accumulation of agricultural and industrial residues inevitably contributes to environmental pollution.

Ion mobility captures key processes underpinning encapsulation in cryptophane cages, including surprising structures not observed before using traditional analysis.

New rare Ln^III–V^IV single-molecule magnets (Ln = Dy, Er, Yb) were synthesized and characterized. For Dy^III–V^IV and Yb^III–V^IV complexes studied by EPR spectroscopy, the phenomenon of phase relaxation enhancement (PRE) was observed.

The honeycomb structure increases the reflection and scattering of electromagnetic waves. Various polarization and defects enhance the microwave absorption performance of the material.

Two sets of C₂-symmetric α-diimine nickel complexes—nickel bromide and nickel chloride—were investigated to simultaneously regulate chain walking, chain transfer, and polymer microstructure in the synthesis of polyethylene elastomers.

Insufficiently etched interconnected Fe₃O₄@OLCs served as a magnetic adsorbent for removing MB from wastewater and was further processed into supercapacitor materials, achieving its cascaded utilization.

A series of REE complexes with adaptable [Ln(tfa)₄]⁻ anionic chains shed light on reactions in the precursor solution. The first MOCSD prepared β-NaGdF₄:Er,Yb,Nd thin film shows up-conversion luminescence under 980 and 808 nm excitation.

Low-valent Ge & Sn hydride catalysis: herein, we establish bis-guanidinato-supported Ge and Sn hydrides as selective catalysts for hydroboration of heteroallenes with HBpin. The catalytic cycle has been proposed based on stoichiometric experiments.

The oxide-ion-conductive lanthanum silicate La_9.33Si₆O₂₆ with an apatite-type structure exhibits high activity for the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOX).

A new unsymmetrical dinucleating PNNN ligand is reported, the versatility of which is demonstrated by formation of heterobimetallic, homobimetallic and monometallic complexes.

A series of isostructural polyoxometalate-based MOFs were constructed by linking polyoxometalates and metal clusters with imine bonds under mild conditions.

Three novel organic–inorganic polyoxoniobate-based compounds modified with Cu(II) amine complexes were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Additionally, the catalytic efficacy of these compounds in the oxidation of styrene was investigated.

A structural and functional biomimetic Ni(II)N₃O complex, capable of O₂ mediated dioxygenase like C–C bond cleavage, via a putative high-valent Ni intermediate.

Variable temperature NMR and emission measurements on chiral luminescent molecular rotors, Ir(ppy)₂(py-R)Cl, show that rotational conformations impact the emission behaviour of the iridium complexes.

A water-soluble hexanuclear iron(III) complex can catalyze water oxidation in acidic aqueous solutions through reversible proton transfer on μ₂-OH and multimetal synergistic spin variation.

An anion responsive ruthenium nitrosyl complex is reported. The combined effect of light and anion is used for the colorimetric monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) release.

We report the luminescence-based detection of Group-1 carcinogen formaldehyde (FA) and Cr(VI)-oxoanions with a mesoporous Mn(II)-MOF (1), featuring a uninodal 4-c net topology and linear 1D square channels forming a polymeric 2D network.

Four Fe^III complexes of the Hqnal-5-Br_q ligand have been characterized, marking them as the first examples of Fe^III SCO complexes with a quinoline-substituted Hqnal ligand. The effects of anions and solvents on their SCO properties were assessed.

This study presents a novel approach for preparing Co-doped hexagonal WO₃ nanorod thin films that exhibit excellent cycle stability, with Co doping effectively enhancing the optical modulation and coloring efficiency of WO₃ electrochromic materials.

A new Pb-based thiohalide Pb₆Ba₃Si₂S₈I₁₀ with a unique quasi-two-dimensional structure has been rationally designed by a mixed anionic and dimensional reduction combined strategy and synthesized by the flux method.

The primary reaction mechanisms and reaction kinetics of methanol steam reforming over the Cu(111) and Cu(211) surfaces are studied using density functional theory calculations and microkinetic simulations.

Incorporation of transition metals between two octamolybdates/hexamolybdates results into useful catalysts, which effectively catalyse the oxidative cross-coupling of anilines, benzyl alcohol, and sodium azide to produce benzimidazole.

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have been used as a potential nanocarrier for photosensitizers (PSs), which have demonstrated a great deal of promise in achieving an effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) for deep-seated tumors.

PN^H complexes of Mn, Fe, and Co were prepared and tested as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of nitriles. (PN^H)FeBr₂ proved the most effective representing the first Fe system for selective transfer hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines.

Novel bis-copper rosarin and mono-copper linear tridipyrrin complexes were synthesized. The first HER study of 2Cu-1 indicated that the multi-metal polypyrrolic complexes are promising molecular hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts.

The GE + SA derived carbon/silicon composites have excellent cycling stability and rate capability for lithium-ion batteries.

The paper presents systems design charts for molecular qubits, mapping chemical variables to spin relaxation times for optimized qubit design.

Three isostructural Cu(I)-based one-dimensional halides were prepared and display intrinsic broadband blue-light emissions with excellent anti-water and thermal stabilities.