Themed collection Articles behind our 2024 journal covers

Article summarizes over 12 years of studies on organometallic nucleic acid components in our laboratory. It outlines synthetic chemistry, redox, photophysical and biological properties alike. It also shows directions for future development.

Group (IV) metal oxo clusters is a unique family of molecular species utilized in applications ranging from catalysis and materials chemistry to electronics, and sensors.

Various physical properties reversibly driven by solid-state electrochemical reactions are comprehensively reviewed, and their mechanisms are mentioned thoroughly.

The relevance of the fluorinated thiolate 2,3,5,6-S(C₆F₄H-4) to serve as a reliable motif for the construction of π_F–π_F stacking interactions in a series of metal complexes in the solid state for its application in crystal engineering is Illustrated.

Herein, we present a general overview of the design of intercalation layered compounds (ILCs) and their applications devoted to the field of energy.

Alpha-metalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine rare-earth metal complexes have proven highly versatile for phosphine addition and dehydrogenative coupling reactions.

Bismuth-based semiconductors possess promising optical and electrical properties, making them suitable for photoelectrochemical applications in marine engineering.

The preparation, heterostructure and application of hybrids containing layered double hydroxides as the main component are overviewed.

The Cu-phenolate complexes show various electronic structures, such as phenoxyl radical binding Cu^I complexes and Cu^IV–phenolate species in the formal oxidation state, which give rise to characteristic properties and reactivities of the complexes.

Herein we contrast the growingly endorsed naming of supramolecular interactions according to the electrophilic atom with deeper and long-lasting discussion about fundamental aspects of bonding. The new nomenclature as a whole is put in question.

Efficient and easy lanthanide(III)-based luminescence reading of iron(II) spin-state equilibria presents an attractive challenge, owing to the delicate combination of the primogenic effect and the Fermi golden rule.

The largest metalloid tin cluster exhibits 20 tin atoms, showing a unique structure build-up of smaller principal units. Herein, we present recent advances in this area as well as perspective and outlook for extending this fascinating research field.

Exploring the influence of different reducing agents and their corresponding reaction conditions on the synthesis of copper nanoclusters, this study aims to provide valuable insights that can steer future research efforts in this field.

A more significant percentage of reactive radicals are produced via piezo-photocatalysis associated with vibrational energy for CO₂ reduction than those produced by photocatalysis.

Rare-earth (RE) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) offer unique optical, electronic, and magnetic properties.

Recent progress in luminescent metal–organic frameworks for detecting ions, volatile organic compounds, biomolecules and environmental toxins and device fabrication has been reviewed.

A new family of binucleating ligands is prepared and shown to successfully coordinate the first-row transition metals titanium and vanadium.

In this work, the insertion of CS₂ into the Ge–Si bond of PhC(NtBu)₂Ge–Si(SiMe₃)₃ (1) has been investigated, resulting in the formation of PhC(NtBu)₂Ge–C(S)–S–Si(SiMe₃)₃ (2).

We have synthesized Fe(quinazoline)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂ (1). Complex 1 shows the Soma–Iwamoto-type bilayer and a spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon. Mononuclear complex with a hydrogen-bonding network Fe(H₂O)₂(quinazoline)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂ has also been obtained.

A novel, non-toxic cis-dioxomolybdenum-maltolate was synthesized as a model molybdopterin mimic for bioinspired oxidation reactions, which shows potential as a micronutrient supplement for molybdenum.

An N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) complex of Eu(II) was synthesized via an unprecedented self-aminomethylation reaction of Me₃NO in the presence of Eu[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂(THF)₂, during which charge reversal of Me₃NO is involved.

The marine natural product norzooanemonin has been used to prepare a series of carboxyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) gold(I) complexes with cytotoxic and antibacterial activity.

A six-membered silacycle-based ligand originally coordinated to an Fe(II) center in an η¹(C) mode undergoes a hapticity increase upon reduction to afford an Fe(I) complex with the silacycle-based ligand that coordinates in an η⁵ fashion.

An effective visible-light driven fumarate production from pyruvate and gaseous CO₂ by cationic water-soluble zinc porphyrin based-photocatalytic system with malate dehydrogenase and fumarase was developed.

This study suggests that megazol derivatives and their complexes with Re(CO)₃⁺ are potent trypanocidal agents having TcOYE as a possible biological target. The labelling of megazol with ^99mTc also indicates this system for theranostic applications.

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.

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

This first report of solvate ionic liquids (SILs) based on aluminium(III) or gallium(III) triflate and triglyme (G3) gives insight into their speciation, Lewis acidity and catalytic activity in [3 + 3] cycloaddition.

Alcoholysis of (C₅H₄SiMe)₃Ln results in bimetallic complexes with unexpected decreases in Ln⋯Ln distances as bridging alkoxides become bulkier. These complexes were characterized by DOSY NMR, CV, DPV, and a La^II species was observed by EPR.

Ru(II)–arene azole complexes demonstrated that decreased affinity to serum albumin led to an increase in preventing amyloid-β aggregation and cytotoxicity.

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

Excellent mechanical sensitivity: incorporating trinitrophenyl into azo-1,3,4-oxadiazole compounds results in a heat-resistant explosive with excellent impact and friction sensitivity, along with good thermal stability.

Mo₂C nanoparticles dispersed on CNT-RGO hybrid support (Mo₂C/CNT-RGO) serve as an effective electrocatalyst for NO₃⁻RR, showing high performance due to the synergistic interaction between the active Mo₂C sites and the CNT-RGO hybrid support.

Readily available Cu(II) organometallic catalyst precursors allow the N-methylation of amines with CO₂ and hydrosilanes to be efficiently performed.

A new Pb-based perovskite ferroelectric (CsPb₂Nb₃O₁₀) provides a novel platform for investigating ferroelectric properties in 3D and 2D forms.

Hydrothermally prepared grain-like CeO₂ nanostructures were useful for creating a high-performance and non-enzymatic sensor for uric acid detection.

The study of the antiproliferative activity of thiosemicarbazone platinacycles puts forward their high selectivity and low IC₅₀ values.

Zinc-coordinated quercetin-based self-assembled nanoparticles (ZnQ NPs) further loaded with Ce6 enhance cancer treatment efficacy through combined chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

A new set of metal–organic frameworks was designed by functionalizing g-C₃N₄ with benzoic acid and using them as structure-directing ligands during the metal–organic framework (MOF) formation.

Amorphous carbon nitride functionalized with ultra-dispersed copper oxides through a plasma-assisted route holds promise as an electrocatalyst for water splitting applications.

A family of new asymmetric N-methylene-C linked nitropyrazoles and 1,2,4-triazol-3-one based thermally stable energetic materials with reduced sensitivity has been synthesized. Background image via Canva.

He²⁺-beam irradiation of the uranyl peroxide cage cluster Li–U₂₈ to high doses leads to breakdown of the cage cluster and ultimately to the formation of uranyl carbonate species.

The all gallium(I)-amide coordinated [Ru(GaTMP)5] and [Mo(GaTMP)6] complexes were isolated and DFT calculations unveil competing π-interaction between the transition metal center and the amido substituent.

Grignard reagents are simple, accessible catalysts for the dehydrocoupling of amines and silanes that increases selectivity of these reactions over other commercially available catalysts for Si–N bond formation.

MOFs@C₆₀ exhibit low band gap energy and high electrical conductivity. The conductance and current increase with the incorporation of C₆₀.

Using state-of-the-art computational methods, we have thoroughly investigated the coordination ability of substituted fullerene {C₅₅X₅}⁻ (X = CCH₃/B/N) towards stabilizing novel Dy(III) exohedral complexes showcasing giant barrier height >2200 K.

Mechanoresponsive luminescence (MRL) is the prerogative of dinuclear complexes. Regioisomerism strongly influences the photoluminescence efficiency, the amplitude of the MRL effect, and the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties.

Increasing the polyamine chain length changes the binding mode of pyrazole from exo to endo in Cu²⁺ complexes of pyrazolacyclophanes, leading to outstanding SOD activity.

Universal ligand frameworks for designing heterobimetallic catalysts are described. Au/M (M = Rh^III, Ir^III) complexes were prepared with a ditopic mono- or triphosphane ligand. Gold(I) is only catalytically active when coordinated by a monophosphane.

The Ni(II) complexes reported in this work show high performance for OER and are suggested as promising candidates for alkaline water electrolysis.

Moving from homoleptic [Cr(biimidazole)₃]³⁺ toward heteroleptic [Cr(phen)₂(biimidazole)]³⁺ restores solubility, stability and pH-dependent near infrared phosphorescence at the molecular level.

We present the use of an amine functionalized 2D aminoclay (AC), in MOF chemistry to prepare MIL-101(Cr)/AC composites, which are exploited as catalysts for efficient conversion of CO₂ into cyclic carbonates at ambient reaction conditions.

The alane [DNIAlH₂] (1) was reduced by Jones's Mg(I) and Roesky's Al(I) to give the dialane [{DNI(H)Al}₂] (2). 1 with [^DippBDIAl:] gives intramolecular C(sp²)–H bond-activated 3. [DNINa] with [(Cp*Al)₄] gives C–N activated 5 with an Al₂CN ring.

A versatile CVD process for growing facetted ZrN layers as a potential catalyst for electrochemical reduction of nitrogen to ammonia.

The antimony(III)-oxyaryl [{NCN^Me4}Sb(C6H2-^tBu2-3,5-O-4)] forms upon C–H activation, with charged species and heterolytic bond cleaving and forming steps. The reactivity of the complex, which exhibits zwitterionic and quinoidal features, was probed.

Herein, we describe high quantum yields of organotin complexes in Me-THF at 77 K (Φ_F 37 and 67%) due to the rotational fixation of a terephthalohydrazide bridge. PET bottle waste was used as raw material to synthesize ligand and tin complexes.

In this contribution, we present a series of new lanthanide–oxamate coordination polymers as suitable candidates for light conversion molecular devices and molecular qubits for quantum computing.

Octaalkoxy-substituted POSS (8RO-POSS) was synthesized using octahydrido-POSS and zinc acetate. The structure and properties of 8RO-POSS depended on the alkoxyl groups.

Electronic structure calculations on dinuclear Fe(II) spin-crossover systems unravel the effects that guest molecules have on tuning the transition temperature and the single or two-step behavior transition in such systems.

Crystal structure and morphology evolution from Cu_1.94S/Cu₄SnS₄ to Cu₇S₄/Cu₃SnS₄ has been observed via a ligand exchange process.

By doping Sr²⁺ in Lu₅Ba₆B₉O₂₇:Ce³⁺, the luminescence intensity can be enhanced, whereas doping Tb³⁺ can improve the thermal stability of luminescence.

We successfully synthesised octacalcium phosphate with terephthalate ion derivatives and demonstrated that these materials exhibited unique fluorescence.

Spin transition induced by chloride in a mononuclear tripodal Fe(II) complex.

A series of enantiopure Re(I) dinuclear complexes were synthesised and their anticancer activity was investigated, revealing distinct activities among stereoisomers.

Molecular TiO₄ species stabilised onto the pore surface of mesoporous silica were prepared by the grafting of TiO(acac)₂ and subsequent chemical etching, which was experimentally proved to have potential photocatalytic activity for H₂ evolution.

As Ag²⁺ is such a powerful oxidizer, not many open-shell transition metal cations can resist its neighborhood. Here we introduce AgCoF₅, a rare representative of the transition metal–Ag²⁺ fluoride family.

The regioselectivity for the C–H functionalisation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is determined not by the C–H cleavage step but by the subsequent reductive elimination step.

Li₃PO_xS_4-x is synthesised using different sets of precursors, followed by a detailed structural analysis to establish links between the atomic structure and Li-ion conductivity of the materials.

Artificial hydrogenases based on designed protein-inorganic hybrids are a promising venue to improve catalysis for sustainable fuel production.

This study provides insights into how sodium aminophenolate complexes, through structural manipulation and ligand design, catalyze the efficient and environmentally friendly degradation of polylactide (PLA).