Themed collection 2019 Frontier and Perspective articles

A discussion of recent advances in controlling the enzyme-nanosheet interface, and rational methods to engineer interactions at these interface to build better nanobiomaterials and biodevices is presented.

Olefin epoxidation over Mn supported on magnetic nanoparticles.

Bispidines and their applications in medicine, catalysis, magnetism and medical imaging: what do we know about the influence of substituents?

Coordination complexes featuring sydnones as ligands, despite their rarity, show great potential for future applications.

The movement of the center of charge of localized orbitals along a reaction pathway draws the curly arrows describing the bonding rearrangement.

In this perspective, we review those stereoselective photocatalytic reactions that use synergy between photoredox catalysts and transition metal catalysts.

A collective overview of iron(II)-Schiff base complexes, showing abrupt and hysteretic SCO suitable for device applications, and the structure–property relationships governing the SCO of the complexes in the solid-state is presented.

An update overview of emerging single-molecule toroics (SMTs) is expounded to elucidate the strategy to design SMTs and ultimately inspire the seeking of SMTs with enhanced toroidal moment.

In this review, we seek to provide a brief and accessible overview of metal complex-based radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear imaging.

This review focuses on the recent developments made in the fabrication of N-doped carbon materials for enhanced CO₂ conversion and electrochemical reduction into high-value-added products.

Recent research and development is focused in an intensive manner to increase the efficiency of solar energy conversion into electrical energy via photovoltaics and photo-electrochemical reactions.

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).

2,2′-Dipyridylamine derivatives: Discreet members of the polydentate nitrogen ligand familly with underestimated potential.

Coordination chemistry offers convenient strategies to modulate the exchange of coordinated water molecules in lanthanide-based contrast agents.

Tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligands (Tpm^x) have been for years a step behind their highly popular boron-anionic analogues, the tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands (Tp^x).

This Perspective article highlights the latest advances in the field of direct methane to methanol conversion by zeolites containing first row, extra-framework d-block metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn).

Recent outstanding advances in the C–Se bond formation through transition metalcatalysed direct selanylation, providing new insights into their mechanistic aspects, were provided in this perspective.

Usefulness of Superparamagnetic Iron oxide Nanoparticulate system for biomedical applications through targeting, drug delivery and therapy.

In this review, we present the most characteristic photoactive perovskites that can be formed with the help of d-block metals.

This review discusses the structure and reactivity of metal-superoxo complexes covering all ten first-row d-block metals from Sc to Zn.

Periodic trends in the electronic structure of the transition metal centers can be used to explain the observed CO₂ reduction activities in molecular electrocatalysts for CO₂ reductions. Research activities concerning both horizontal and vertical trends have been summarized with mononuclear complexes from Group 6 to Group 10.

The ubiquitous physiology of nitric oxide enables the bioinorganic engineering of [Fe(NO)₂]-containing and NO-delivery scaffolds for tissue engineering.

The d-block elements have played a critical role in the development of the modern periodic table.

Where we have been and where we are going in precisely describing structures of inorganic compounds.

Homoleptic arenemetalates, including the depicted [K(18-crown-6)]₂[Hf(C₁₄H₁₀)₃], are often useful sources of “naked” metal anions and have been obtained for several transition metals via the Chatt reaction, named in honor of Joseph Chatt, a giant of chemistry.

In the present Perspective article, synthetic and structural aspects, reactivity studies and applications of platinum group metal complexes containing guanidinate ligands are discussed.

Redox-active unsaturated chelate ligands can be realised with different ring sizes of the resulting metallacycles.

In the present perspective, the recent advances of α-diimine nickel based catalysts of ethylene polymerization, focusing on the relationships between catalyst structures and their catalytic properties are discussed.

During the past three decades, considerable research effort has been dedicated to a new class of organic ligands – cyanoximes – which have the general formula NC–C(NOH)-R, where R is an electron-withdrawing group. In total, 44 different cyanoximes were prepared and characterized thus far.

Phosphorus dendrimers (dendrimers having one phosphorus atom at each branching point) possess versatile properties, depending on the type of their terminal functions.

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.

Fundamental aspects of PCET continue to attract attention. Understanding this reaction type is desirable for small-molecule activation and solar energy conversion.

We illustrate, combining experimental and theoretical results, that the five-membered chelate ring is able to adapt itself to a great variety of metal ions.

Challenges and opportunities in the synthesis of pentalenide complexes are reviewed from a practical point of view.

This perspective highlights the effects of O-donor fluorinated ligands on Cu–O₂ chemistry, with intermediates capable of substrate oxidation reactivity.

This perspective presents a concise overview of the developments in telluraporphyrinoid chemistry since its inception.

Block copolymers containing polyolefin (red) and polar (blue) segments may be synthesised via end-functionalised polyolefins from metal-catalysed routes.

The present review article describes the recent developments (2014–18) on the synthesis of ferrocene-based pharmacophores with the specific benefits of introducing/replacing organic pharmacophores with the ferrocene core for desired bioactivities.

In this Perspective, we discuss various types of novel cisplatin-based Pt(IV) complexes including those targeting the tumor microenvironment.

In this perspective, the development of single-source precursors and their relative advantages over multiple source approaches for the synthesis of metal pnictide solid state materials is explored.

More than 20 binary tungsten iodides have been discovered. This was possible due to a new synthesis of W₃I₁₂ through halide exchange reaction and by thermal scanning. Depending on the I₂ partial pressure compounds can incorporate or release I₂. On heating they undergo self-reduction. Some tungsten iodide clusters can be directly transferred into solution.

Metal complexation of nitrogen mustards shows promise with an ability to control the mustards’ reactivity, perform selective hypoxia activation, overcome resistance, and control GSH deactivation.

This review discusses the kinetics and mechanisms of chemical, electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water oxidation by homogeneous and heterogeneous transition metal catalysts.

This article reviews the most up-to-date progress in heterometallic grid-like complexes and highlights the recent work in 3d–4f heterometallic grids, aiming at a better understanding of the self-assembly and magnetic properties of heterometallic grids.

Polyoxometalates-intercalated layered double hydroxides (POMs–LDHs) nanocomposites have received considerable attention recently owing to the intrinsic properties of POMs and LDHs and significant synergistic effects during the catalytic process.

Electrocatalysis plays a crucial role in the transformation between electrical and chemical energy.

Time-resolved infrared spectroscopies are used to elucidate multiscalar photochemical processes of iron complexes.

Coordination of water to low-valent Sm leads to O–H bond-weakening that enables PCET to substrates.

Fantastic characteristics originate from the unique chemical and electronic structure endow GDY with a bright future for applications in electrochemical energy storage.

Recent advances in natural cellulose substance derived hierarchical nanomaterials applied as anodic materials for lithium-ion batteries are summarized.

Near-infrared photothermal-activated nanoagents: a promising platform for accurate diagnosis and efficient cancer eradication.

Installation of new organic components (including multitopic anionic and neutral linkers) in MOFs and MOPs for multicomponent materials.

Recent advances of water-soluble metal nanoclusters (MNCs) in designing highly luminescent MNCs, ligand shell engineering, tracking MNC's growth processes, and biomedical applications are highlighted.

Efforts should be devoted to lowering the cost of Al-ion batteries, specifically those of electrolytes and current collectors.

Recent highlights in the surface modification of metal–organic frameworks, from new functionalization protocols to visualisation and application, are discussed.

Re₂(CO)₈(μ-C₆H₅)(μ-H) reacts with anthracene four times to yield the quadruply CH activated complex [Re₂(CO)₈(μ-H)]₄(μ-η²-1,2-μ-η²-3,4-μ-η²-5,6-μ-η²-7,8-C₁₄H₆).

Advances in solid-state NMR spectroscopy which continue to open up the periodic table to further exploration are surveyed.

Nucleophilic substitution of cage BH serves as a brand new strategy for straightforward and regioselective cage B–H functionalization of carboranes.

This frontier article discusses chemical tools and techniques for tracking and imaging Mn ions in biology.

Recent advances in amidinium and guanidinium-containing hydrogen-bonded framework materials are highlighted.

We describe the recent progress in near-infrared-emissive metal–organic frameworks, and especially highlight their appealing applications in bio-imaging, sensing and barcoding.

The activity of gold nanoparticle-based plasmonic photocatalysts can be enhanced through the ingenious control of the size, shape and interface.

This article highlights the coordination-induced structural changes of DNA-based optical, electrochemical and optical–electrochemical-combined sensors for metal ions detection.

The effects of size, charge and symmetry of carbon π-bowls on their supramolecular assembly and metal ion intercalation trends are discussed.

Multi-functional AIEE-active supramolecular assemblies act as nanoreactors for the preparation of different types of metal NPs. The in situ generated metal NPs stabilized by supramolecular assemblies act as nanocatalysts for various organic transformations under thermal/visible light irradiation.

We highlight recent advances in organopnictogen chemistry contrasting the properties of lighter and heavier pnictogens.

Mechanistic insights into different modes of activation of hypercoordinate iodine(III) compounds.

Dark-field and Raman microscopy to probe the single NP electrochemistry in real time.

Copper hydride clusters of variable nuclearity are derived from hydrogen and HCOOH as emerging energy storage materials and models.

Molten flux crystal growth is a thriving field for the discovery of uranium oxides.