Themed collection 2017 Highlight article collection

In this highlight, we review the design and formation of MgO based hierarchical structures and cover some selected examples on their applications in adsorption of organic contaminants.

In this review, we comprehensively summarize the important advances in hollow Cu_xO micro/nanostructures, including the universal synthesis strategies, the interfacial Cu–O atomic structures as well as the intrinsic properties, and potential applications. Remarks on emerging issues and promising research directions are also discussed.

This highlight discusses magnesium hydroxide design at the nanoscale, common aspects of crystallite growth and how nanostructuring impacts properties.

Co-crystallization of 1,3,5-trifluoro-2,4,6-triiodobenzene (1,3,5-TFTIB) with a variety of halogen-bonding acceptors.

A selection from the wide range of functional properties present in the binary compound, GeTe, are reviewed is this paper.

The shape and molecular packing of cis-protected Pd(II) based binuclear complexes depends upon the ligand and cis-protecting agents.

This highlight article reviews the experimental and theoretical studies that have been implemented to investigate the sorption sites for gases in rht-metal–organic frameworks.

This review highlights selected examples of supramolecular isomerism in the area of metal organic frameworks and major factors of their formation are also discussed.

This review describes recent advances in the properties of Er-doped Ga₂O₃ films and light-emitting devices based on these films.

HPHT diamond synthesis using catalysts based on magnesium demonstrates a number of intriguing characteristics. In this highlight, we review the major characteristics of the growth, morphology, internal structure, and defect and impurity content of diamonds crystallized using Mg-based catalysts.

Chromophoric MOFs are reviewed, focussing on those which change colour on application of external stimuli such as heat, pressure, light or chemical environment.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted increasing attention for applications in heterogeneous photocatalysis.

This highlight article focuses on the rapidly emerging area of electrocatalytic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with a particular emphasis on those systems displaying intrinsic activity.

In this highlight, we review the recent development in the design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks with Lewis acidity, the characterization techniques of Lewis acid sites, and their applications in heterogeneous catalysis.

Various methods for encapsulating enzymes in metal–organic frameworks are discussed and the catalytic activity of biocomposites prepared using these methods is highlighted.

The fascinating chemical and physical properties of MOFs have recently stimulated exploration of their application for photocatalysis. Design guidelines for these materials in photocatalytic solar fuel generation can be developed by applying the right spectroscopic tools.

The development of new synthetic routes from biomass sources towards already existing molecules, which are then called bio-based molecules, or the transformation of biomass into new building blocks and materials will be of great impact. This review presents a critical comparison between MOFs and other catalysts (e.g. zeolites) for biomass transformation.

The hydrothermal/solvothermal method is one of the most versatile synthetic routes for producing a large number of compounds. The thermodynamic aspects, the control of morphology and the crystallisation mechanisms are reviewed and discussed in this highlight, with special emphasis on the synthesis of SrTiO₃, as a model system.

Binuclear alkoxido-bridged species act as robust nodes in designing 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D coordination polymers. This paper reviews the chemistry of coordination polymers constructed from alkoxido-bridged binuclear copper(II) nodes and a rich variety of spacers.

Compounds adopting the Yb₃Rh₄Sn₁₃ structure type have drawn attention because of the revelation of exotic states such as heavy fermion behavior, superconductivity, charge density wave, and quantum critical behavior.

Oxides have become recognized as one of the most promising next-generation electronic materials due to the varieties of rich functionalities such as superconductivity, ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, transparency, etc. This review gives recent advances about crystal engineering of oxide thin films via epitaxy techniques that control the microscopic crystallographic environment.

A method of analysis of entanglements in coordination polymers allows the classification of catenation patterns in all known 2-periodic coordination networks.

1 : 3 and 1 : 2 discrete compounds are verified in two chiral systems and discussed with respect to known cases in the literature.

The ease of obtaining the triangular Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(μ-pz)₃ moiety (pz = pyrazolate), and its supramolecular self-assemblies, uses and perspectives are reviewed.

This review highlights the solid state recognition of hydrated anions an expanding area in the domain of supramolecular chemistry.

Six nucleant types assist protein crystallization by improving crystal quality, increasing the crystallization success rate and minimizing protein consumption.

This article highlights some examples of metal cluster-based MOFs and their applications including sensing, catalysis and nonlinear optical properties.

In this review, we have briefly summarized the applications of two-dimensional transition metal diseleniums in supercapacitors, lithium ion batteries, sodium ion batteries and hydrogen storage.

Dyads formed by tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) linked to perchlorotriphenylmethyl (PTM) radicals exhibit interesting physical properties such as bistability in solution or conductivity in solid state.