Themed collection Most popular 2023 inorganic chemistry articles

29 items
Open Access Perspective

Main group metal-mediated strategies for C–H and C–F bond activation and functionalisation of fluoroarenes

This Perspective showcases recent advances on the use of specially designed main-group metal complexes to facilitate chemoselective C–H/C–F functionalisation of fluoroarenes.

Graphical abstract: Main group metal-mediated strategies for C–H and C–F bond activation and functionalisation of fluoroarenes
Open Access Perspective

Metallated dihydropyridinates: prospects in hydride transfer and (electro)catalysis

Hydride transfer (HT) is a fundamental step in a wide range of reaction pathways, including those mediated by dihydropyridinates (DHPs).

Graphical abstract: Metallated dihydropyridinates: prospects in hydride transfer and (electro)catalysis
Open Access Perspective

Back to the future of organolanthanide chemistry

By taking inspiration from the structures and reactivities of its past, organolanthanide chemistry has managed to reinvent itself for the challenges of today and the future.

Graphical abstract: Back to the future of organolanthanide chemistry
Open Access Review Article

Progress in the chemistry of molecular actinide-nitride compounds

This review covers the rapid progress that was made over the past decade in the chemistry of actinide nitrides with a focus on uranium terminal and bridging nitrides, their synthesis and reactivity, and a few recent breakthroughs with thorium.

Graphical abstract: Progress in the chemistry of molecular actinide-nitride compounds
Open Access Review Article

Metal complexes for catalytic and photocatalytic reactions in living cells and organisms

This review presents discrete metal complexes that catalyse or photocatalyse reactions within living cells or living organisms.

Graphical abstract: Metal complexes for catalytic and photocatalytic reactions in living cells and organisms
From the themed collection: Spotlight Collection: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Open Access Edge Article

Rapid, iterative syntheses of unsymmetrical di- and triarylboranes from crystalline aryldifluoroboranes

A facile synthesis of aryldifluoroboranes, ArBF2, is reported, which allows for their isolation and use as synthons for unsymmetrical boranes.

Graphical abstract: Rapid, iterative syntheses of unsymmetrical di- and triarylboranes from crystalline aryldifluoroboranes
Open Access Edge Article

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence in a deep red dinuclear iridium(III) complex: a hidden mechanism for short luminescence lifetimes

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is found to play an important role in accelerating the rate of radiative decay in luminescent iridium(III) complexes, shown in this instance for dinuclear complexes formed with high stereoselectivity.

Graphical abstract: Thermally activated delayed fluorescence in a deep red dinuclear iridium(iii) complex: a hidden mechanism for short luminescence lifetimes
Open Access Edge Article

Fast and scalable solvent-free access to Lappert's heavier tetrylenes E{N(SiMe3)2}2 (E = Ge, Sn, Pb) and ECl{N(SiMe3)2} (E = Ge, Sn)

Lappert's heavier tetrylenes E{N(SiMe3)2}2 (E = Ge, Sn, Pb) have been efficiently prepared from GeCl2·(1,4-dioxane), SnCl2 or PbCl2 and Li{N(SiMe3)2} via a completely solvent-free one-pot mechanochemical route followed by sublimation.

Graphical abstract: Fast and scalable solvent-free access to Lappert's heavier tetrylenes E{N(SiMe3)2}2 (E = Ge, Sn, Pb) and ECl{N(SiMe3)2} (E = Ge, Sn)
Open Access Edge Article

Reversible C–H bond silylation with a neutral silicon Lewis acid

A perfluorinated bis(ortho-amidophenolato)silane combined with a bulky Lewis base enables the first neutral silicon Lewis acid mediated C–H bond silylation. It can be reversed upon adding a donor and modulates the follow-up chemistry with electrophiles.

Graphical abstract: Reversible C–H bond silylation with a neutral silicon Lewis acid
Open Access Edge Article

Selective synthesis of germasila-adamantanes through germanium–silicon shift processes

Substoichiometric amounts of Ph3C[B(C6F5)4] transform selectively oligocyclic germasilanes via sila-Wagner–Meerwein rearrangements into the thermodynamically most stable germasila-adamantanes with the germanium atoms in the bridgehead positions.

Graphical abstract: Selective synthesis of germasila-adamantanes through germanium–silicon shift processes
Open Access Edge Article

Bidirectional photoswitchability in an iron(III) spin crossover complex: symmetry-breaking and solvent effects

Two solvates, one showing symmetry-breaking spin crossover and bidirectional photoswitchability from a [HS-LS] state, are reported.

Graphical abstract: Bidirectional photoswitchability in an iron(iii) spin crossover complex: symmetry-breaking and solvent effects
Open Access Edge Article

Scrutinizing formally NiIV centers through the lenses of core spectroscopy, molecular orbital theory, and valence bond theory

Nickel K- and L2,3-edge X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) are discussed for coordinated nickel centers spanning formal oxidation states from II to IV. The ensuing analysis indicates that a physical “+4” oxidation state is untenable for coordinated Ni.

Graphical abstract: Scrutinizing formally NiIV centers through the lenses of core spectroscopy, molecular orbital theory, and valence bond theory
Open Access Edge Article

Highly efficient light harvesting of a Eu(III) complex in a host–guest film by triplet sensitization

Very high photoluminescence intensity of a Eu(III) complex is achieved using a host–guest system. The intensity is 400 times larger than that of the Eu(III) complex itself.

Graphical abstract: Highly efficient light harvesting of a Eu(iii) complex in a host–guest film by triplet sensitization
Open Access Edge Article

Replacing the BO in BODIPY: unlocking the path to SBDIPY and BIDIPY chromophores

Synthesis, characterisation, and investigation of the luminescence features of a new class of chromophores: SBDIPY and BIDIPY.

Graphical abstract: Replacing the BO in BODIPY: unlocking the path to SBDIPY and BIDIPY chromophores
From the themed collection: #MyFirstChemSci 2023
Open Access Edge Article

Controlled reductive C–C coupling of isocyanides promoted by an aluminyl anion

Controlled addition of isocyanides R-NC to a potassium aluminyl afforded the C2- and C3- homologized products.

Graphical abstract: Controlled reductive C–C coupling of isocyanides promoted by an aluminyl anion
Open Access Edge Article

Taming the parent oxoborane

Addition of water to a 3c–2e boron gallium hydrido compound results in capturing of the parent oxoborane moiety, B(H)[double bond, length as m-dash]O. The latter reacts with another molecule of water to give a boracarboxylic acid derivative.

Graphical abstract: Taming the parent oxoborane
From the themed collection: 2023 Chemical Science HOT Article Collection
Open Access Edge Article

A crystalline T-shaped planar group 14 anion

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of the first crystalline T-shaped planar group 14 anion.

Graphical abstract: A crystalline T-shaped planar group 14 anion
Open Access Edge Article

Magnetic hysteresis and large coercivity in bisbenzimidazole radical-bridged dilanthanide complexes

Unprecedented bisbenzimidazole (Bbim)3−˙ radical-bridged dilanthanide complexes were isolated where the dysprosium congener features magnetic memory effect and the second highest coercive field for any organic radical-bridged dinuclear compound.

Graphical abstract: Magnetic hysteresis and large coercivity in bisbenzimidazole radical-bridged dilanthanide complexes
Open Access Edge Article

On the existence of low-valent magnesium–calcium complexes

While low-valent β-diketiminate complexes with a Mg–Mg bond are well-established, similar Ca–Ca bound complexes were hitherto too reactive to be isolated. Herein we discuss the possible formation of low-valent heterobimetallic Mg–Ca complexes.

Graphical abstract: On the existence of low-valent magnesium–calcium complexes
From the themed collection: 2023 Chemical Science HOT Article Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Catalyst-free diboration and silaboration of alkenes and alkynes using bis(9-heterofluorenyl)s

9-Borafluorene-based diboranes and silylboranes spontaneously add to C[double bond, length as m-dash]C or C[triple bond, length as m-dash]C bonds. Despite their different charge and bond polarization, key orbital interactions of substrate activation are identical for both valence isoelectronic derivatives.

Graphical abstract: Catalyst-free diboration and silaboration of alkenes and alkynes using bis(9-heterofluorenyl)s
From the themed collection: #MyFirstChemSci 2023
Open Access Edge Article

Binding of exogenous cyanide reveals new active-site states in [FeFe] hydrogenases

Binding of exogenous cyanide to the active site H-cluster in [FeFe] hydrogenase stabilizes new active-site states with an overoxidized diiron cofactor showing how σ-donor/π-acceptor interactions influence the electronic structure of metallocofactors.

Graphical abstract: Binding of exogenous cyanide reveals new active-site states in [FeFe] hydrogenases
From the themed collection: Spotlight Collection: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Open Access Edge Article

Dynamic effects on ligand field from rapid hydride motion in an iron(II) dimer with an S = 3 ground state

Crystallographic, spectroscopic, and computational studies on diiron(II) hydride complexes reveal rapid hydride motions that cause major changes in the electronic structures of the iron sites.

Graphical abstract: Dynamic effects on ligand field from rapid hydride motion in an iron(ii) dimer with an S = 3 ground state
From the themed collection: Spotlight Collection: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Open Access Edge Article

An easy-to-perform evaluation of steric properties of Lewis acids

An easy-to-perform approach to assess and quantify steric properties of Lewis acids is reported. The novel LAB-Rep model (Lewis acid/base repulsion model) is introduced, which judges steric repulsion in Lewis acid/base pairs.

Graphical abstract: An easy-to-perform evaluation of steric properties of Lewis acids
Open Access Edge Article

Nickel boryl complexes and nickel-catalyzed alkyne borylation

Nickel bis-boryl complexes cis-[Ni(NHC)2(Bcat)2], cis-[Ni(NHC)2(Bpin)2] and cis-[Ni(NHC)2(Beg)2] are presented and the nickel-catalyzed alkyne borylation is reported.

Graphical abstract: Nickel boryl complexes and nickel-catalyzed alkyne borylation
Open Access Edge Article

Merging the Norrish type I reaction and transition metal catalysis: photo- and Rh-promoted borylation of C–C σ-bonds of aryl ketones

Synthesis of arylboronates via borylation of C–C σ-bonds of aryl ketones was achieved by the combined use of photoenergy and a Rh catalyst.

Graphical abstract: Merging the Norrish type I reaction and transition metal catalysis: photo- and Rh-promoted borylation of C–C σ-bonds of aryl ketones
From the themed collection: #MyFirstChemSci 2023
Open Access Edge Article

A mitochondria-localized iridium(III) photosensitizer for two-photon photodynamic immunotherapy against melanoma

An iridium(III) two-photon photosensitizer was demonstrated to effectively trigger melanoma cell death by a combination of ferroptosis and ICD, and also cause the systemic induction of an immune response.

Graphical abstract: A mitochondria-localized iridium(iii) photosensitizer for two-photon photodynamic immunotherapy against melanoma
From the themed collection: Spotlight Collection: Bioinorganic Chemistry
Open Access Edge Article

Regioselectivity of concerted proton–electron transfer at the surface of a polyoxovanadate cluster

Introduction of a surface defect on a POV-alkoxide imparts both structural and electronic alterations, resulting in “switchable” PCET regiochemistry. Such features provide insight into PCET reactivity at metal oxide surfaces.

Graphical abstract: Regioselectivity of concerted proton–electron transfer at the surface of a polyoxovanadate cluster
From the themed collection: 2023 Chemical Science HOT Article Collection
Open Access Edge Article

Synthesis and characterization of bi(metallacycloprop-1-ene) complexes

Well-defined metallacycloprop-1-ene complexes have only previously been isolated with a metal center bearing one vinyl moiety. We have successfully obtained the first examples of structurally characterized spiro bi(metallacycloprop-1-ene) complexes.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis and characterization of bi(metallacycloprop-1-ene) complexes
From the themed collection: 2023 Chemical Science HOT Article Collection
Open Access Edge Article

An exchange coupled mesomeso linked vanadyl porphyrin dimer for quantum information processing

A combined EPR and DFT study of a suitably designed vanadyl-porphyrin dimer revealed promising properties for quantum information processing applications, such as single qubit addressability and relevant intramolecular exchange interactions.

Graphical abstract: An exchange coupled meso–meso linked vanadyl porphyrin dimer for quantum information processing
29 items

About this collection

This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most popular articles from 2023 in the fields of main group, inorganic and organometallic chemistry. The collection presents some outstanding contributions to the field, ranging from metal photosensitizers to organolanthanide chemistry, and as with all Chemical Science articles – they are all completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.

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