Themed collection 2024 Frontier and Perspective 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.

This review paper explores the potential of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for uranium extraction. It discusses various MOF types, functionalization strategies, and factors affecting extraction efficiency.

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.

Transition metal η⁶-arene complexes have unique properties that facilitate a variety of arene substitution reactions, rendering π-activation a powerful approach for arene functionalization.

This review highlights recent developments of the use of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) in alane and aluminum organyl chemistry.

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.

MOFs can play three essential roles in ALP monitoring: they can serve as fluorescent probes, function in oxidation or peroxidation mechanisms, or combine both processes.

Trends in metal–metal bonding and reactivity among phosphinoamide-bridged M/Co heterobimetallic complexes are summarized.

The impact of various solid supports on the catalytic performance of self-supported catalysts has been reviewed.

Metals in medicine is a distinct and mature field of investigation to which platinum drugs design makes valuable contributions. Here, we outline the chemical pathways to maximize efficiency in their preparation.

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.

The influence of dopant molecules on the structure and functionality of spin-crossover materials is surveyed.

Polyols are a versatile solvent for colloidal solution synthesis to yield high-quality 2D nanoplates.

Recent developments of polyoxometalate (POM)-derived electrocatalysts, their application to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the catalytic HER mechanism, structure–performance correlations, and challenges for the future are reported.

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

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

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.

All-solid-state batteries offer secure energy storage. Nanomaterials boost performance, but challenges include reducing electrolyte size while maintaining conductivity. This review highlights recent advances in electrode-electrolyte interfaces.

The Ru-based single atom catalysts have been extensively applied in electrocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production, in which single-atom Ru acts as either a single site or a combination site depending on the type of catalyst used.

The review article highlights the advancements in the synthesis and applications of triazine-based covalent organic polymers in various domains.

The composition and recognition elements of a PEC detection system and the classification of carbon materials.

Prussian blue and Prussian blue analogues have attracted increasing attention as versatile framework materials with a wide range of applications in catalysis, energy conversion and storage, and biomedical and environmental fields.

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

An overview of transition metal-based CORMs with cytotoxic properties is here reported.

This review summarizes recent progress in organometallic molecular junctions.

Mixed-anion coordination around Eu³⁺ ions affects the luminescence properties related to the 4f–4f and charge transfer transitions.

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

Plasma materials preparation technology can effectively affect the materials preparation processing by reactive species and multiple effects in plasma, which ensures it as a promising method for supercapacitor electrode mateirals preparation.

Polar cyano and their isomeric isocyano counterparts have attracted great attention as stimuli-responsive luminescent materials in recent years. This article reviewed their development from structural tailoring and self-assembly perspectives.

Metal dioxo chemistry and its diverse reactivity are presented with an emphasis on reaction mechanism.

This review highlights the recent progress in hydrogen production from methanol and formaldehyde over a wide range of molecular transition metal catalysts, with primary focus on the structure–activity relationship in the dehydrogenation pathway.

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.

The reactions of open-cage fullerenes with various metal complexes show a remarkable range of unanticipated behaviors, which are compared to the corresponding reactions with intact fullerenes.

Bacterial infections can lead to the development of large-scale outbreaks of diseases that pose a serious threat to human life and health.

Silver clusters composed exclusively of fused tetrahedra are analogous to simple saturated organic compounds. Copper clusters with central cuboctahedra and silver clusters with central icosahedra having interstitial metal atoms provide examples of metal superatoms.

The coordination of small molecules to low valent titanium complexes provides a powerful platform for the transformation of challenging substrates either through PCET reactions or bond-weakening induced by π-back donation of electrons from Ti.

A comprehensive review by summarizing the fundamental concepts in the field of ZABs and the recent advances in the reported NBM SACs is organized.

This review focuses on the latest developments in luminescent lanthanide-based molecular materials as photosensitizers and their applications in photodynamic therapy.

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.

The activation of C–H bonds by heterobimetallic compounds is a rich area of research that has recently received increased attention. This perspective highlights recent advances and aims to guide the reader in this rapidly evolving field.

Typical nanoparticles functionalized by DNA (e.g. AuNPs, UCNPs, MOFs, MONPs and QDs).

This perspective highlights the potential of gold(II) complexes in catalysis, shedding light on the pivotal roles played by mononuclear and dinuclear gold(II) complexes, whether as isolated entities or proposed intermediates, in catalytic reactions.

Morphology of MXene-based composites in the form of MXene/0D, 1D and 2D structures and their enhanced physicochemical properties thereof.

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.

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.

Yttrium-based metal–organic frameworks built on hexanuclear clusters (Y₆-MOFs) are analogous to Zr₆-MOFs, but they differ in several aspects which are important for their structural diversity and potential applications.

This Frontier article offers an overview of recent developments in the field of cluster helicates, focusing on the synthesis routes of these materials and their applications.

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.

Keplerates, as giant porous polyoxometalates (POMs), serve as multifunctional nanoplatforms with unique properties. This review highlights their use in nanocontainers, catalysis, and batteries, discussing challenges and future directions.

Surface functionalization of metal materials with N-heterocyclic carbenes has emerged as an efficient avenue to prepare new and better nanocatalysts.

In this paper, we aim to summarize the existing energetic tetrazole N-oxide coordination polymers briefly and discuss the advantages of synthesizing these polymers and examine their future development prospects.

Recent advances in catalytic C–H bond activation remote from a substituent, capable of readily producing 1,3-disubstituted ferrocene derivatives, are discussed.

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.

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.

The performance of aqueous non-metallic ion batteries can be enhanced by constructing multi-active site PBAs through the synergistic regulation of structure and ions.

Due to the highly reductive capacity of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) nanoparticles, the reduction of nitrate (NO₃⁻-N) is prone to produce ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) as a by-product and has low selectivity for nitrogen gas (N₂).

Recent research at the Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation at Rhodes University exploring the utility of BODIPY and azaBODIPY dyes for optical limiting of incident nanosecond laser pulses in the visible region is described.

Polyoxometalate-decorated Au and Ag core–shell structures offer a versatile platform. This article systematically compares the structures of nanoparticles and atomically precise nanoclusters, and outlines the prospective development of this field.

Transition metal complexes act as monitoring devices for environmental changes, utilizing changes in colour/luminescence to detect these changes.

The Keggin-based metal-organic compounds show excellent sensing and catalytic properties.

The development of novel narrow-band emitting phosphors with high efficiency and stability is of great significance for WLED backlights.

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 in situ generation of the highly reactive organocalcium reagent and its immediate application offers not only a loophole to organocalcium reagents but opens the entry to a rich organic chemistry of this non-toxic and globally abundant element.

Nanozyme-based composites with efficient reactive oxygen species-scavenging activity can be designed by heteroaggregation as well as surface or structural modification of nanomaterials.

A survey of recent theoretical treatments of Al–M bonds that activate CO₂ is given, with an emphasis on extracting lessons to guide future studies.

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

This paper provides an overview of three major EMOFs suitable for explosives and propellant. Additionally, future development directions and prospects for EMOFs are discussed, providing valuable insights for the application of EMOFs.

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.