Themed collection Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025: Women in Inorganic Chemistry

This article explores matere bonds, supported by theoretical and computational studies. These σ-hole interactions with group 7 elements (Mn, Tc, Re) are key in crystal engineering, catalysis, and biological systems.

The rigidity and well-defined size and shape of the bispidine scaffold, as well as the ease of preparing 4- to 10-dentate ligands are the main features for its very rich coordination chemistry.

The latest developments in controlling the photoinduced processes of Re(I) tricarbonyl complexes bearing D–A and D–π–A ligands with six different diimine cores decorated by various electron-rich amine, sulphur-based and π-conjugated aryl groups.

Analysis of C(acyl)–N functionalisation mechanisms with a focus on recent developments involving mechanisms unique to the late transition metals.

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

Intercalation compounds represent a unique class of materials that can be anisotropic (1D and 2D-based topology) or isotropic (3D) through their guest/host superlattice repetitive organisation.

A perspective on complexes of the heaviest and lightest elements; we elucidate how the f-element environment can affect hydride formation, oligomerisation and reactivity, including in catalysis and expose differences between the Ln and An series.

A journey on Earth abundant transition metal complexes as emiters for Light-emitting Electrochemical Cells.

Recent advancements in ligand design and fluorophore functionalization enable Ir(III) photosensitizers to achieve deep-red/near-infrared absorption, addressing challenges in photodynamic therapy for deep-seated tumors.

This article focuses on the recent advancements in the synthesis of borophene-based materials and their emerging applications in the field of supercapacitors.

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.

Singlet oxygen production and its reactivity have significant implications in fields ranging from polymer science to photodynamic therapy.

The use of metal catalysts along with Lewis acids to accelerate an organic transformation has proven indispensable for access to structural motifs having applications across medicinal, polymer, materials chemistry, and more.

Thanks to the presence of a phosphonic acid group, A₂B-corroles were covalently linked to the Zr clusters of a PCN-222 MOF. After insertion of Co, the cobalt corroles are able to bind CO with high selectivity vs. CO₂, N₂, and O₂.

Tetrathiafulvalene-2,3,6,7-tetrathiolate (TTFtt) complexes are synthetically tunable and emit brightly in the near-infrared II region (NIR II, 1000–1700 nm).

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

DFT calculations of 57 iron bis(dithiolene)-N-heterocyclic carbene adducts were conducted to determine what parameters predict their coordination. The properties were compared via regression models to see which best predict the Addison τ parameter.

A robust mer-tris-Co(III)-IMepyO catalyst was synthesized and utilized for diverse cyclic organic carbonate preparation.

An analogous series of [NHC·M^I]⁺ complexes is reported for Fe, Co, and Ni, featuring a labile toluene ligand which is readily exchanged.

Replacement of the heteroatom modifies the magneto-luminescence properties of [Ln(α-GeW₁₁O₃₉)(H₂L)]⁵⁻ (Ln = Sm to Lu) hybrid anions. The Yb-derivative exhibits simultaneous slow relaxation of magnetization and NIR emission at room temperature.

The reactivity of the anticancer drug picoplatin with the model proteins hen egg white lysozyme and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease was investigated by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography.

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.

Azahomocubanes – an energetic material as future propellants, explosives, and oxidizers.

In this paper, we describe the synthesis of two bis(formazanate) Fe(II) complexes based on redox-active benzothiazole-substituted formazanate ligands, which were further employed as cathodes in one-compartment membrane-less H₂O₂ fuel cell.

We investigated in this work strength of metal–ligand and hydrogen bonding in complexes formed between Fe, Mn, and Co myoglobin and molecular ligands such as methanol, water, nitrite, and azide involving ε and δ protonation forms of distal histidine.

Phosphazane macrocycles with N-methyldiethanolamine linkers have been synthesized and the oxidation of P(III) to P(V) with chalcogens and the formation of Lewis adducts with borane are reported.

Development of a highly selective process for the production of γ-valerolactone from levulinic acid using formic acid, facilitated by a recyclable bifunctional ruthenium catalyst with acid-base properties.

Depending on the solvent, [VO(acac)₂] reacted with valproic acid hydrazide ligands to form three distinct vanadium(V) complexes. The complexes catalytically oxidise pyrogallol to purpurogallin and catechol systems to quinone with a rare semiquinone radical intermediate.

In this work, we evaluated the anticancer activity of compounds 1 (mononuclear) and 2 (dinuclear) copper(II) coordination compounds over MDA-MB-231 cells, and compared their activities with that of a newly, protonated, dinuclear analogue of 2 (3).

This work reports the step-wise fabrication of a core–shell plasmonic nanocomposite Pd@BTL–Cd consisting of a BTL–Cd shell and a palladium nanoparticle core for reductive amination of furfural.

A water soluble cytochrome c oxidase model with a bipyridine binding site for copper is compared with its terpyridine analogue. Two nitrogen atoms are better than one…?

Six isostructural pseudopolymorph zig-zag CPs with hydrogen-bonded chains through solvent-containing robust and repetitive motifs were obtained. In these CPs, urea–CO⋯π_py interactions were classified as semilocalized lone pair–π interactions.

The synthesis and characterization of novel platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes derived from unsymmetrical ethylene or propylenediamine derivatives are presented.

Metal halide perovskite single crystals (MHPSCs) are highly promising materials for optoelectronic applications, but their stability is hindered by ion migration, thereby impacting their performance.

Conformational changes in a new gold(I)–arylacetylide triethylphosphine, proceeding by means of the molecular gearing mechanism, ensure propensity for reversible pressure-induced single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) phase transitions.

Integrated experimental and computational studies of hydrogen evolution reaction mechanisms with cobalt and nickel thiosemicarbazone complexes using distinct proton sources.

Photoactive dinuclear Co(II) complex exhibits red/NIR light-enhanced anticancer and antibacterial activities via singlet oxygen generation, paving the way for designing long-wavelength absorbing Co(II)-based PDT photosensitizers.

We found that σ-donating ligands trans to the Ru–H in pincer cations improve catalytic activity and functional group tolerance for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

Hybrid coordination polymers based on AgCl or AgBr and different n-picolylamine ligands show interesting and tunable electronic and photophysical properties.

A new halobismuthate(III) compound, [BPMBDMA]·[Bi₂Br₉], was synthesized and found to exhibit excellent ferroelectric polarization. Its polymer composite devices show piezoelectric energy harvesting application with high output performance values.

Bis-phosphine and monophosphine Ni(0) complexes with bulky phosphine ligands are prepared and tested in C–S cross-coupling reactions.

A series of donor-free 9-aluminafluorenes (R-AlFlus) that have either dimeric (R = Me or Br) or monomeric (R = Mes*) structures were synthesized. Mes*-AlFlu is the first example of a monomeric and three-coordinate AlFlu.

Attainment of a pristine copper cobaltite (CuCo₂O₄) phase by a fast and easy microwave (MW) assisted method and its application in the selective oxidation of propane is presented in this paper.

N-Heteroaromatic receptors with N–H and O–H acidic protons have shown potential for selectively binding F⁻ ions of varying geometries, as confirmed by solid-state structural analysis as well as solution NMR and UV-Vis studies.

Controlled generation of nitric oxide (NO) by continuous infusion of nitrite ions into an ascorbate-reduced copper catalyst mediator.

Mixing of halogens allows the fine tuning of optical bandgap of (AzrH)PbBr_xI_3−x (AzrH = aziridinium, x = 0.07–2.68) hybrid perovskites in a range of 1.57–2.23 eV.

Thanks to the use of phosphorescent carbon dots, the efficiency of the hybrid photocatalyst can be effectively increased, thereby enabling the degradation of organic compounds.

Mixed ligand complexes of diethanolamine and dihalogenosalicylaldehyde-thiosemicarbazones(tsc). Comparison of tsc and complexes. Cytotoxic activities against THP-1, MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC cell lines. Which ones are better than cisplatin? Cl, Br or I?

Energy and electron transfer interplay in a supramolecular system formed by a tetrapyrenyl functionalised porphyrin and arene–ruthenium metalla-prisms.

Though CO is a significant environmental pollutant, it serves a pivotal role as a signaling molecule in plants. A novel fluorescent nanodot has been developed for in vivo monitoring of CO inside the plant cells.

Two Co(II) mixed-ligand metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on 2-methylimidazole and trimesate were synthesised at room temperature.

Reviewing solubility data of metal–boron–hydrogen compounds in various solvents to aid the synthesis and discovery of novel materials including batteries, hydrogen storage, and superconductors.

A complex of earth-abundant chromium mediates C–C and C–N bond formation via alcohol dehydrogenation, forming C-alkylated ketones and secondary alcohols, as well as quinoline synthesis by a modified Friedländer quinoline reaction.

This work demonstrates an ultralong X-ray and UV-persistent bright green emitting MgGa₂O₄:Mn spinel phosphor for tunable white light emitting diodes.

New copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with tripodal tetradentate guanidine quinolinyl ligands and their electron transfer kinetics are presented.

Water-soluble nickel(II)-guanidine-based complexes successfully catalyzed the C–H chlorination of a series of hydrocarbons in the presence of NaOCl and acetic acid in water–chloroform (7 : 3, biphasic condition) at room temperature.

A schematic reaction mechanism of C–C coupling reaction by engineered CYP450.

A suitably designed POM@MOF i.e. Mo₈O₂₆@MIL-117 catalyses oxidative C–N bond formation and Paal-Knorr pyrrole synthesis with high yields. The composite material was also employed for dye removal, specifically targeting MB and RHB.

We present the synthesis and characterisation of two dysprosium metallocene complexes with bound weakly coordinating anions. Despite their similarity these complexes exhibit vastly different effective energy barriers to magnetic reversal.

Visible-light-induced hydrogen evolution from aqueous protons is achieved herein using porphyrin-carbon dot photocatalysts with no additional metallic co-catalysts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

18-membered N₂S₄ macrocyclic chelators bearing picolinic acid, pyridine, and thioether pendant arms were studied for their ability to complex the “soft” (radio)metal ion ^197/natHg²⁺.

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.

The incorporation of bromide atoms into ZIF-71 significantly enhances its hydrophobicity, leading to a preference for acetone adsorption over butanol.

Novel gold(I)(NHC) containing thiopyrimidines and thiazolidines with promising antiviral and antiparasitic activity.

Tetracycline water remediation employing the bimetallic MOF ZnCu-MOF-74 synthesized at room temperature exhibits excellent performance, stability, and cyclability.

Coordination of the amine-rich Cp^N3 ligand to cobalt is reported. Ligand displacement leads to ligand protonation and evaluation of the metal-free C–H bond thermochemistry, revealing a weak homolytic C–H bond dissociation free energy (52 kcal mol⁻¹).