Themed collection HOT articles in Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers for 2016

Two new zincoborate fluorides were firstly reported containing isolated [BO₃]³⁻ and [B₂O₅]⁴⁻ groups, which are the first examples of two kinds of isolated B–O groups that coexist in one zincoborate halide.

As the thus-far reported largest chiral tetrapyrrole-based conjugated systems, phthalocyanine–porphyrin-fused oligomers with induced chirality nature have been designed and isolated.

A new series of Pb^II coordination compounds was assembled with the N′-(1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene)nicotinohydrazide ligand and various auxiliary inorganic counterions.

A novel mesoporous indium–porphyrin framework JLU-Liu7 with frl net has been successfully synthesized. It exhibits high performance for gas adsorption and light hydrocarbon separation.

Large scale ultrathin (∼3–4 nm thick and ∼1 μm long) few layered (4–5 layers) BiCuSeO nanosheets were synthesised by a facile soft chemical synthesis. BiCuSeO nanosheets exhibit lower lattice thermal conductivity and higher electrical conductivity than that of their bulk counterpart.

A new and effective post-cyclotetramerization strategy was developed for the first time towards the synthesis and isolation of a new type of homo/heterodinuclear π-conjugated phthalocyanine dimer sharing one common pyrazine moiety.

Anisotropic Li⁺ ion conductivity has been observed in a large single crystal of a novel Co(III) coordination complex attributable to the presence of directional ion channels with a suitable size.

Conjunction of benzimidazole and metal In(III) to construct supramolecular MOFs opens up an ingenious direction for synthesizing materials with multi-functionality.

A novel borosilicate zeolite structure was solved from rotation electron diffraction data and preferential boron positions could also be identified.

A new group of N-doped hierarchical porous carbons with high surface areas, CO₂ capacities and CO₂/N₂ selectivity was prepared using a new mixed-ligand ZIF (JUC-160) as a precursor. The control of the size of JUC-160 crystals from nanometre and micron sizes allowed to study systematically the effect of the parent MOF's crystal size on the derived porous carbon materials.

The g-C₃N₄/SiO₂ nanocomposite was prepared via a sol–gel method to activate Pd nanoparticles for hydrogen generation from formic acid.

A paper-based lanthanide smart device was designed for naked-eye detection of acid–base vapors with quick response and good reversibility; the applications of this device were also expanded to anti-counterfeiting and logic operations.

Efficient and simultaneous deep desulfurization and denitrogenation of complex oil systems under mild conditions is reported using a heterogeneous Tris-LDH-LaW₁₀ catalyst.

Supercapacitor electrodes fabricated from macroscopic porous MnO₂ aerogels have demonstrated enhanced specific capacitance, high rate capability and excellent cycling durability.

A facile surface modification strategy on metallic Ni₂P nanosheets electrocatalyst greatly enhances water oxidation activity.

Graphene-wrapped electrospun carbon nanofiber membranes with greatly improved electrical conductivity have been synthesized through an effective surface-induced assembly strategy.

This study reported the first system of Fe-porphyrin conjugated network on carbon nanotubes for ORR, which exhibited excellent performance with high catalytic activity, robust stability, and good methanol tolerance.

Ag@hm-SiO₂ nanoreactors with the multi-cores/shell configuration have been successfully synthesized via an effective pre-shell/post-core strategy combined with the laser ablation treatment.

UiO-66-NH₂ type materials show excellent capability for removal of Cr(VI) from industrial waste.

Ultrafine Cu₂O nanoclusters are uniformly grown on the surface of TiO₂ nanoplates, giving rise to the enhanced photocatalytic H₂ evolution via water reduction.

Structural variations of a flavonoid framework noticeably tune the interaction and reactivity of flavonoids with metals, Aβ, and metal–Aβ.