Recent advances in pincer–nickel catalyzed reactions
The utility of pincer−nickel complexes in catalyzing reactions such as cross−coupling, oxidation, (de)hydrogenation, hydrofunctionalization, C−H activation and CO2 functionalization has been reviewed from a synthetic and mechanistic point of view.
Recent advances in metal–organic frameworks for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution and overall water splitting reactions
The best representatives of pristine MOFs are not only inferior to catalysts derived from MOFs, but also superior in some cases.
Perspective
Low-coordinate first-row transition metal complexes in catalysis and small molecule activation
In this Perspective, we will highlight selected examples of transition metal complexes with low coordination numbers whose high reactivity has been exploited in catalysis and the activation of small molecules featuring strong bonds (N2, CO2, and CO).
Small-molecule activation with iron porphyrins using electrons, photons and protons: some recent advances and future strategies
Substituted tetraphenyl Fe porphyrins are versatile molecular catalysts for the activation of small molecules (such as O2, H+ or CO2), which could lead to renewable energy storage, the direct production of fuels or new catalytic relevant processes.
Perspective
β-Diketiminate complexes of the first row transition metals: applications in catalysis
Although β-diketiminate complexes have been widely explored in stoichiometric studies, their use as catalysts is largely underdeveloped.
Perspective
Synthetic routes to iron chalcogenide nanoparticles and thin films
This perspective summarises the key synthetic routes to iron chalcogenide thin films/nanoparticles by highlighting the key aspects that lead to control over phase/morphology.
Copper hydride clusters in energy storage and conversion
Copper hydride clusters of variable nuclearity are derived from hydrogen and HCOOH as emerging energy storage materials and models.
Photoexcited state chemistry of metal–oxygen complexes
This Frontier article reviews recent advances on the excited state reactivity of earth-abundant metal–oxygen complexes.
Ferric phosphide carbon nanocomposites emerging as highly active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
This Frontier article highlights the recent development and advances in designing ferric phosphide (FeP) based composite materials for the HER.
Titanium redox catalysis: insights and applications of an earth-abundant base metal
π-Acid ancillary ligands, reactants, or products can stabilize reactive low valent Ti intermediates through backbonding, and present opportunities for the development of vast new classes of Ti-catalyzed redox reactions with practical applications.
Communication
A microstructured p-Si photocathode outcompetes Pt as a counter electrode to hematite in photoelectrochemical water splitting
Herein we demonstrate that an earth-abundant semiconductor photocathode (p-Si/TiO2/NiOx) out-competes rare and expensive Pt as counter electrode to Fe-oxide for overall photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Paper
Ambidentate bonding and electrochemical implications of pincer-type pyridylidene amide ligands in complexes of nickel, cobalt and zinc
Pincer-type tridentate pyridyl bis(pyridylidene amide) (pyPYA2) ligand systems were coordinated to the Earth-abundant first row transition metals nickel, cobalt and zinc, revealing ambidentate N,N,N and O,N,O coordination behavior.
Multi-shelled cobalt–nickel oxide/phosphide hollow spheres for an efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Due to their composition optimization and structural advantages, multi-shelled Co0.5Ni0.5 oxide/phosphide hollow spheres achieved a rapid oxygen evolution.
A β-FeOOH/MXene sandwich for high-performance anodes in lithium-ion batteries
A β-FeOOH/MXene sandwich composite enables improved cyclability and better high-rate performance in lithium-ion batteries.
1-D manganese(II)-terpyridine coordination polymers as precatalysts for hydrofunctionalisation of carbonyl compounds
Efficient hydroboration and hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes has been achieved using a MnII-coordination polymer as precatalyst under mild conditions.
Facile fabrication of Ni0.85Se nanowires by the composite alkali salt method as a novel cathode material for asymmetric supercapacitors
The search for Earth-abundant and efficient electrode materials is significant for advanced supercapacitors.
Pyrite FeS2/C nanoparticles as an efficient bi-functional catalyst for overall water splitting
Pyrite FeS2/C nanoparticles exhibited excellent OER/HER activity and show good overall water splitting efficiency.
Paper
A long-lived cuprous bis-phenanthroline complex for the photodynamic therapy of cancer
An earth-abundant cuprous bis-phenanthroline photosensitizer showed potential use in the photodynamic therapy of cancer.
About this collection
Elements from across the periodic table are critical to our daily lives. However, many of the elements used in catalysis, consumer technologies, healthcare technologies and renewable energy solutions are in limited supply, and the processes needed to mine and refine them can come at considerable cost to the environment. Increasing demand in future for these technologies is likely to place considerable pressure on the supply of these elements, requiring new approaches to recover, replace, reuse and recycle them.
Earth-abundant and renewable materials are one part of the solution to this issue, from earth-abundant catalysis to new electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, and alternative materials for existing and emerging technologies to the use of renewable or bio-inspired solvents. This collection highlights recent advances across the field, and highlights new research directions towards sustainable, earth-abundant alternatives that will reduce pressure on the supply of critical raw materials.
A companion collection “Inorganic chemistry approaches to saving critical elements: Recovery, Reuse and Recycling” brings together research published in RSC journals on approaches to recover, reuse and recycle critical elements.
The collections are guest edited by Eva Hevia (Universität Bern) and James Wilton-Ely (Imperial College London) and are launched in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Dalton Division.
This collection will continue to grow and new articles will be added to these themed collections as soon as possible after they are published.
If you would like to contribute an article to this collection, please contact the Editorial Office at dalton-rsc@rsc.org with your proposed topic.