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Despite the greater awareness of elemental sustainability and the benefits of the circular economy concept, much waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is still destined for landfill. Effective methods for valorizing this waste within our society are therefore imperative. In this contribution, two gold(III) complexes obtained as recovery products from WEEE and their anion metathesis products were investigated as homogenous catalysts. These four recovery products were successfully applied as catalysts for the cyclization of propargylic amides and the condensation of acetylacetone with o-iodoaniline. Impressive activity was also observed in the gold-catalyzed reaction between electron-rich arenes (2-methylfuran, 1,3-dimethoxybenzene, and azulene) and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (methyl vinyl ketone and cyclohexenone). These recovered compounds were also shown to be effective catalysts for the oxidative cross-coupling reaction of aryl silanes and arenes. When employed as Lewis acid catalysts for carbonyl-containing substrates, the WEEE-derived gold complexes could also be recovered at the end of the reaction and reused without loss in catalytic activity, enhancing still further the sustainability of the process. This is the first direct application in homogeneous catalysis of gold recovery products sourced from e-waste.

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most deadly cancers worldwide, with very low survival rates, mainly due to poor management, which has barely changed in recent years. Nanomedicines, especially gold nanomaterials, with their unique and size-dependent properties offer a potential solution to many challenges in the field. The versatility afforded by the shape, size, charge and surface chemistry of gold nanostructures allows them to be adapted for many applications in the diagnosis, treatment and imaging of LC. In this review, a survey of the most recent advances in the field is presented with an emphasis on the optical properties of gold nanoscale materials and their use in cancer management. Gold nanoparticle toxicology has also been a focus of interest for many years but the studies have also sometimes arrived at contradictory conclusions. To enable extrapolation and facilitate the development of medicines based on gold nanomaterials, it must be assumed that each design will have its own unique characteristics that require evaluation before translation to the clinic. Advances in the understanding and recognition of the molecular signatures of LC have aided the development of personalised medicines. Tailoring the treatment to each case should, ideally increase the survival outcomes as well as reduce medical costs. This review seeks to present the potential of gold nanomaterials in LC management and to provide a unified view, which will be of interest to those in the field as well as researchers considering entering this highly important area of research.

A new family of robust, non‐toxic, water‐compatible ruthenium(II) vinyl probes allows the rapid, selective and sensitive detection of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in live mammalian cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Uniquely, these probes incorporate a viscosity‐sensitive BODIPY fluorophore that allows the measurement of microscopic viscosity in live cells via fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) while also monitoring CO levels. This is the first example of a probe that can simultaneously detect CO alongside small viscosity changes in organelles of live cells., Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced in mammals and regulates many critical cellular functions, including the response to disease. A ruthenium(II) vinyl probe is presented that allows rapid, selective and sensitive detection of endogenous CO in live mammalian cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. By exploiting fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, the probe can also measure microscopic viscosity in live cells at the same time.

Two different octadentate gadolinium chelates based on DO3A and DOTAGA chelates (hydration number q = 1) have been used to prepare a series of bi-, tri-, and tetrametallic d–f mixed-metal complexes. The piperazine-based dithiocarbamate linker ensures that rotation of the gadolinium chelates is restricted, leading to enhanced relaxivity (r1) values, which increase with the overall mass and number of gadolinium units. The r1 value (at 10 MHz, 25 °C) per gadolinium unit rises from 5.0 mM–1 s–1 for the Gd-DO3A-NH2 monogadolinium chelate to 9.2 mM–1 s–1 in a trigadolinium complex with a ruthenium(III) core. Using a 1.5 T clinical scanner operating at 63.87 MHz (25 °C), an 86% increase in the relaxivity per gadolinium unit is observed for this multimetallic compound compared to clinically approved Dotarem. The gadolinium complexes based on the DOTAGA chelate also performed well at 63.87 MHz, with a relaxivity value of 9.5 mM–1 s–1 per gadolinium unit being observed for the trigadolinium d–f mixed-metal complex with a ruthenium(III) core. The versatility of dithiocarbamate coordination chemistry thus provides access to a wide range of d–f hybrids with potential for use as high-performance MRI contrast agents.

The oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF) using oxygen (1 atm) with a TEMPO and CuCl catalyst system is investigated using a range of imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) and various bases at different HMF substrate loadings (10-50%). This represents the first example of HMF to DFF conversion in ionic liquid media under homogeneous catalysis conditions, revealing dramatic differences in performance between the ILs. In the non-coordinating, hydrophobic ionic liquid, [bmim][NTf2], 90% DFF yield is obtained at 5 mol% catalyst loading after 6 hours at 80 °C at a very high 40% HMF loading. Increasing the temperature to 100 °C leads to a lower yield, attributed to loss of volatile TEMPO from the reaction medium. A system using TEMPO and pyridine immobilized within the ionic liquid [bmim][NTf2] results in selective conversion of HMF to high purity DFF. It also allows the DFF formed to be isolated by sublimation in 81% yield before a further cycle is performed. Subsequent catalyst deactivation is probed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Synthesis from fructose in a two-step process achieves a 55% isolated DFF yield. This approach overcomes significant drawbacks previously reported for this transformation, such as solvent toxicity, separation and purification problems as well as the need for high oxygen pressures. Further oxidation of HMF with this system leads to a 62% yield of 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA). The separation of this compound can be achieved by sublimation of DFF followed by solvent extraction.

Over the last decade, much work has been dedicated to improving the performance of gadolinium-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents by tethering them to biocompatible gold nanoparticles. The enhancement in performance (measured in terms of 'relaxivity') stems from the restriction in motion experienced by the gadolinium chelates on being attached to the gold nanoparticle surface. More recently, the unique properties of gold nanoparticles have been exploited to create very promising tools for multimodal imaging and MRI-guided therapies. This review addresses the progress made in the design of gadolinium-functionalised gold nanoparticles for use in MRI, multimodal imaging and theranostics. It also seeks to connect the chemical properties of these assemblies with potential application in the clinic.

The direct use in catalysis of precious metal recovery products from industrial and consumer waste is a very promising recent area of investigation. It represents a more sustainable, environmentally benign, and profitable way of managing the low abundance of precious metals, as well as encouraging new ways of exploiting their catalytic properties. This review demonstrates the feasibility and sustainability of this innovative approach, inspired by circular economy models, and aims to stimulate further research and industrial processes based on the valorisation of secondary resources of these raw materials. The overview of the use of recovered gold and palladium in catalytic processes will be complemented by critical appraisal of the recovery and reuse approaches that have been proposed.

The catalytic upgrading of sugar derivatives into valuable building blocks represents an extremely important challenge intrinsic to the attempts to establish a green economy. However, the significance of separation and purification are often relegated to a marginal role or overlooked completely despite this aspect being critical for potential scale up. It is well established that the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from sugars in ionic liquid media is a valuable, sustainable and high-yielding chemical pathway, but product separation has always remained an unresolved issue. In this contribution, the separation of HMF and three of its derivatives, 2,5-diformylfuran (DFF), 5-formyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (FFCA) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from ionic liquids is analyzed. Various ionic liquids are screened in order to obtain an optimal separation process. The extraction of HMF is studied from the hydrophobic methyltrioctylammonium ionic liquids with water, obtaining a favorable partition coefficient for the aqueous phase. In contrast, its derivatives, DFF, FFCA and FDCA, can be easily separated by phase separation. DFF retains its sublimation attributes in the ionic liquid and can be readily separated in quantitative yields in high purity. This behavior is observed in ionic liquids but is not achievable in common organic solvents. FDCA and FFCA are separated by water addition and precipitation. It is found that less water is required for the precipitation of these compounds compared to dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), which is a frequently employed reaction medium for their generation. The energy balance for regeneration of the ionic liquid after water addition is estimated using the enterprise ionic liquids database ILUAM. This study provides a set of solvent design guidelines for the selective synthesis, isolation and purification of these compounds in ionic liquids, aiding future reaction design.

Optical sensing offers a low‐cost and effective means to sense carbon monoxide in air and in solution. This contribution reports the synthesis of a new series of vinyl complexes [Ru(CH=CHR)Cl(CO)(TBTD)(PPh3)2] (R = aryl, TBTD = 5‐(3‐thienyl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole) and shows them to be highly sensitive and selective probes for carbon monoxide in both solution and air. Depending on the vinyl substituent, chromogenic and fluorogenic responses signalled the presence of this invisible, odourless, tasteless and toxic gas. Adsorbing the complexes on silica produced colorimetric probes for the ‘naked eye’ detection of CO in the gas phase with a limit of detection as low as 8 ppm in some cases, while the release of the TBTD fluorophore allowed detection at much lower concentrations through the fluorescence response. Structural data were obtained by single crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques, while the photophysical behaviour was explored computationally using TD‐DFT experiments. The systems were also shown to be selective for CO over all other gases tested, including water vapour and common organic solvents. By introducing a poly(ethylene)glycol chain to the vinyl functionality, water compatibility was achieved and these non‐cytotoxic complexes were employed in the sensing of CO in HeLa cells, offering a simple and rapid system for sensing this gasotransmitter in this challenging medium.

Palladium is established both as an indispensable metal in modern synthetic chemistry and as a key component in catalytic converters and electronic equipment. The unrelenting demand for this metal increases both the financial and environmental cost, through mining, of this metal, rendering consumption unsustainable in its current form. This review provides a critical survey of the main approaches being pursued to address this issue, including low-loading catalysis, recyclable catalysts and the use of palladium recovered from secondary sources. The literature discussed herein reveals that catalysts that operate at low loadings are an attractive, sustainable option for many transformations, even when compared to catalyst systems that can be reused multiple times. Both low-loading and reusable catalysts depend on a finite natural supply of palladium, making the development of catalysts based on metal recovered from end-of-life materials (urban mining) a promising field of research. The way in which low-loading is achieved in different catalyst designs influences the choice of reaction temperature and solvent, which has additional environmental implications. Such factors are discussed for a wide range of systems alongside reaction and substrate scope, supported by extensive supplementary information . The survey aims to provide an insight into the relative merits of the approaches being explored and how the field of palladium-based catalysis might progress towards more sustainable use of this critical metal.

The processing of biomass in ionic liquids has demonstrated many benefits compared to organic solvents. This includes the maximization of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) yield from sugars through the suppression of byproducts, such as formic acid and levulinic acid. Inefficiencies still exist due to the low stability of HMF at high temperature, leading to side reactions which ultimately result in the undesirable formation of humins. Valorization of this polymeric side product is thus needed to improve the economics of the biorefinery and could lead to humins being viewed as valuable materials for various applications. However, a much better understanding is needed of how humins form from HMF in the various ionic liquids proposed for the biorefinery. In this contribution, humin formation is probed by a range of analytical techniques, including FT-IR, SEM, solid-state 13C NMR, MS, GPC, and XPS analyses. This reveals that the structure and morphology of the humins formed does not resemble those reported in the literature and that the material displays a number of unique aspects. The hydrogen bonding proprieties of the ionic liquids employed exert a strong influence on the chemical functionality of the humins, and this is used to demonstrate their potential as functional materials. To demonstrate this, the humins produced in various ionic liquid environments are applied to metal extraction and compared with commercial activated carbon. This reveals that humins are superior for the extraction of antimony ions from wastewater, showing promise as an adsorbent additive for water purification.

The synthesis of the molecule 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) from sugars is key to unlocking the potential for the replacement of the oil derivative PET (polyethylene terephthalate) by polyethylene furanoate (PEF). Although much research and investment has been dedicated to the synthesis of FDCA, there remains limited commercial activity in this area due to the challenges related to the stability and isolation of the FDCA precursor, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). High yields of HMF can be obtained from fructose at high loadings in water–organic solvent mixtures (methyl isobutyl ketone, MIBK; γ-valerolactone, GVL), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or ionic liquids. Each of these approaches suffers from various drawbacks in terms of catalyst development, product separation and environmental impact. It is therefore necessary to understand which of these processes has the potential for scale-up, while ensuring low environmental impact and a competitive selling price. In this study, a process simulation (rather than a life cycle assessment) was performed to evaluate the associated emissions and selling price of FDCA based on its production using different solvents. It was determined that the cost and CO2 emissions associated with the isolation of HMF undermine the economic and environmental viability of the transformation of sugars to FDCA. In contrast, a two-step, one-pot reaction represents an ideal solution to reduce both cost and environmental impact, making FDCA competitive with terephthalic acid (the corresponding precursor for PET). The choice of solvent and the process were then evaluated and ranked based on safety, CO2 emissions, selling price and state of development though a scoring methodology. A system based on a water/GVL mixture is closer to commercial applicability but the process is limited by extensive formation of humins, which reduces the overall yield of the process, increasing the minimum selling price of FDCA. Using DMSO or ionic liquids minimises emissions and leads to the lowest cost of FDCA but further study is needed to improve the oxidation step. This investigation analyses the possible routes to FDCA from sugars based on the current literature, placing the emphasis on process economics but also considering the CO2 emissions from processing the sugars.

Gold nanorods (GNRs) show great promise as photothermal therapy agents due to their remarkable ability to convert light into heat. In most cases, gold nanorods are synthesised via a seed-mediated method assisted by surfactants. However, the toxicity of these surfactants, principally cetrimonium ions, has prevented GNRs from being used more widely in vivo. To address this issue, various detoxification and functionalisation approaches have been proposed in recent years to replace or cover surfactant coatings on the gold surface. In this short review, the advantages and limitations of each approach are examined in the context of the recent progress made towards the design of GNRs suitable for use in the body.

The versatile rhenium complex [ReCl(CO)3(bpyC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH)] (HC[triple bond, length as m-dash]Cbpy = 5-ethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine) is used to generate a series of bimetallic complexes through the hydrometallation of [MHCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, Os; BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole). The ruthenium complex [Ru{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}Cl(BTD)(CO)(PPh3)2] was characterised structurally. Ligand exchange reactions with bifunctional linkers bearing oxygen and sulfur donors provide access to tetra- and pentametallic complexes such as [{M{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}(CO)(PPh3)2}2(S2CNC4H8NCS2)] and Fe[C5H4CO2M{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}(CO)(PPh3)2]2. The effect of the group 8 metal on the photophysical properties of the rhenium centre was investigated using the complexes [Ru{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}Cl(BTD)(CO)(PPh3)2] and [M{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}{S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, Os). This revealed the quenching of the rhenium-based emission in favour of weak radiative processes based on the Ru and Os centres. The potential for exploiting this effect is illustrated by the reaction of [Ru{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] with carbon monoxide, which results in a 5-fold fluorescence enhancement in the dicarbonyl product, [Ru{CH[double bond, length as m-dash]CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}Cl(CO)2(PPh3)2], as the quenching effect is disrupted.

The catalytic activity of a series of neutral and cationic, homo- and heteroleptic, mono- and bimetallic palladium(II) compounds based on dithiocarbamate and dithiooxamide S,S-donor ligands is described. High activity was observed in the regio- and chemo-selective C–H functionalization of benzo[h]quinoline to 10-alkoxybenzo[h]quinoline and 8-methylquinoline to 8-(methoxymethyl)quinoline in the presence of the oxidant PhI(OAc)2. The best performance was found for [Pd(Me2dazdt)2]I6 (Me2dazdt = N,N′-dimethyl-perhydrodiazepine-2,3-dithione), [PdI2(Me2dazdt)] and [Pd(Cy2DTO)2]I8 (Cy2DTO = N,N′-dicyclohexyl-dithiooxamide) which are all obtained directly as products of sustainable Pd-metal leaching processes used to recover palladium from scrap metal. These compounds provided almost quantitative yields under milder conditions (50 °C, 1–3 mol% Pd loading) and much shorter reaction times (1–3 h) than reported previously. These results illustrate how the complexes obtained from the selective and sustainable recovery of Pd from automotive heterogeneous Three Way Catalysts (TWC) can be employed directly in homogeneous catalysis, avoiding further metal recovery steps and valorising the metal complex itself in a ‘circular economy’ model.

The disulfide ligand (SC6H4CO2H-4)2 acts as a simple but versatile linker for a range of group 8 transition metals through reaction of the oxygen donors. This leads to a range of homobimetallic ruthenium and osmium alkenyl compounds, [{M(CH═CHR)(CO)(PPh3)2(O2CC6H4S-4)}2] (M = Ru, Os; R = C6H4Me-4). Additional metal-based functionality can be added through the use of precursors incorporating rhenium bipyridine units (R = (bpy)ReCl(CO)3). The more robust diphosphine ligands in [{Ru(dppm)2(O2CC6H4S-4)}2](2+) (dppm = diphenylphosphinomethane) allow reduction of the disulfide bond with sodium borohydride to yield the thiol complex [Ru(O2CC6H4SH-4)(dppm)2](+). This complex reacts with [AuCl(PPh3)] to afford the bimetallic compound [Ru(dppm)2(O2CC6H4S-4)Au(PPh3)](+). However, an improved route to the same and related heterobimetallic compounds is provided by the reaction of cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] with [Au(SC6H4CO2H-4)(L)] (L = PPh3, PCy3, PMe3, IDip) in the presence of base and NH4PF6 (IDip = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene). The heterotrimetallic compound [Au(SC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2)2](+) is accessible through the reaction of the homoleptic gold(I) dithiolate [Au(SC6H4CO2H-4)2]PPN (PPN = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium) with cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2]. Without departure from the same methodology, greater complexity can be incorporated into the system to provide the penta- and heptametallic assemblies [(dppf){AuSC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2}2](2+) and [(dppf){AuSC6H4CO2Os(CH═CH-bpyReCl(CO)3)(CO)(PPh3)2}2]. The same stepwise approach provides the dinuclear organometallic complexes [(L)Au(SC6H4CO2-4)M(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)(CO)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, Os; L = PPh3, IDip). Complexes containing three metals from different groups of the periodic table [(L)Au(SC6H4CO2-4)M{CH═CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}(CO)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, Os) can also be prepared, with one ruthenium example (L = PPh3) being structurally characterized. In order to illustrate the versatility of this approach, the synthesis and characterization (IR and NMR spectroscopy, TEM, EDS, and TGA) of the functionalized gold and palladium nanoparticles Au@[SC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2](+) and Pd@[SC6H4CO2Ru(dppm)2](+) is reported.

A robust dithiocarbamate tether allows novel gadolinium units based on DOTAGA (q = 1) to be attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (2.6 - 4.1 nm diameter) along with functional units offering biocompatibility, targeting and photodynamic therapy. A dramatic increase in relaxivity (r1) per Gd unit from 5.01 mM-1 s-1 in unbound form to 31.68 mM-1 s-1 (10 MHz, 37 °C) is observed when immobilised on the surface due to restricted rotation and enhanced rigidity of the Gd complex on the nanoparticle surface. The single-step synthetic route provides a straightforward and versatile way of preparing multifunctional gold nanoparticles, including examples with conjugated zinc-tetraphenylporphyrin photosensitizers. The lack of toxicity of these materials (MTT assays) is transformed on irradiation of HeLa cells for 30 minutes (PDT), leading to 75% cell death. In addition to passive targeting, the inclusion of units capable of actively targeting overexpressed folate receptors illustrates the potential of these assemblies as targeted theranostic agents.

[PdI2(Me2dazdt)] is obtained from palladium powder via a 100% atom economical Pd(0) leaching reaction using Me2dazdt (N,N’-dimethyl-perhydrodiazepine-2,3-dithione) and iodine. This complex is a versatile starting point for ligand exchange reactions with (di)phosphines, yielding trans-[PdI2(PPh3)2] and [PdI2(dppe)] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane). Further reaction with dithiocarbamates provides compounds of the form [Pd(DTC)(L)n]+ (DTC = dithiocarbamate; L = PPh3, n = 2; L = dppe, n = 1), which are highly active catalysts for regio- and chemo-selective C-H bond activation reactions. Using DTC ligands with trimethoxysily-terminated tethers, the palladium(II) units can be attached to the surface of core-shell, silica-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Once tethered, these units formed the catalytically-active component of a recyclable, quasi-heterogeneous, Pd(II)-based catalytic system based on recovered palladium, illustrating the proposed circular model strategy. These investigations contribute to key steps in this process, such as efficient, atom-economical recovery, chemoselectivity of ligand substitution reactions, demonstration of catalytic activity and the potential for immobilization of catalytic surface units derived from recovered metal.

The noncoordinating ionic liquid [bmim][OTf] (bmim=1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) is an effective and versatile solvent for the high-yield dehydration of fructose to the platform chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) over short reaction times. In contrast to prior studies in which low yields were obtained for this transformation in ionic liquids (ILs) with noncoordinating anions, this contribution reveals that the water content is an essential parameter for an efficient reaction in ILs. Achieving the optimum amount of water can increase the yield dramatically by regulating the acidity of the catalyst and partially suppressing the side reaction caused by self-condensation of HMF. Using acid catalysis in [bmim][OTf] with 3.5 % water content, yields above 80 % can be achieved at 100 °C in only 10 min, even at high (14 %) fructose loading. These results also suggest that [bmim][OTf] represents a superior medium for solvent extraction of HMF compared to halide-based ILs, allowing the option of isolation or further valorization of the HMF formed.

The first example of an octadentate gadolinium unit based on DO3A (hydration number q = 1) with a dithiocarbamate tether has been designed and attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles (around 4.4 nm in diameter). In addition to the superior robustness of this attachment, the restricted rotation of the Gd complex on the nanoparticle surface leads to a dramatic increase in relaxivity (r1) from 4.0 mM‐1 s‐1 in unbound form to 34.3 mM‐1 s‐1 (at 10 MHz, 37 °C) and 22 ± 2 mM‐1s‐1 (at 63.87 MHz, 25 °C) when immobilised on the surface. The ‘one‐pot’ synthetic route provides a straightforward and versatile way of preparing a range of multifunctional gold nanoparticles. The incorporation of additional surface units improving biocompatibility (PEG and thioglucose units) and targeting (folic acid) lead to little detrimental effect on the high relaxivity observed for these non‐toxic multifunctional materials. In addition to the passive targeting attributed to gold nanoparticles, the inclusion of a unit capable of targeting the folate receptors overexpressed by cancer cells, such as HeLa cells, illustrates the potential of these assemblies.

A series of new ruthenium(II) vinyl complexes has been prepared incorporating perylenemonoimide (PMI) units. This fluorogenic moiety was functionalised with terminal alkyne or pyridyl groups, allowing attachment to the metal either as a vinyl ligand or through the pyridyl nitrogen. The inherent low solubility of the perylene compounds was improved through the design of poly-PEGylated (PEG=polyethylene glycol) units bearing a terminal alkyne or a pyridyl group. By absorbing the compounds on silica, vapours and gases could be detected in the solid state. The reaction of the complexes [Ru(CH=CH-PerIm)Cl(CO)(py-3PEG)(PPh3)2] and [Ru(CH=CH-3PEG)Cl(CO)(py-PerIm)(PPh3)2] with carbon monoxide, isonitrile or cyanide was found to result in modulation of the fluorescence behaviour. The complexes were observed to display solvatochromic effects and the interaction of the complexes with a wide range of other species was also studied. The study suggests that such complexes have potential for the detection of gases or vapours that are toxic to humans., Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain (Project CTQ2015-71353-R) and Junta de Castilla y León, Consejería de Educación y Cultura y Fondo Social Europeo (Project BU263P18). J.G.C. thanks the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad for his predoctoral FPU fellowship and J.A.R. is grateful to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK) for a DTP Studentship.

The diiron vinyliminium compounds [Fe2{μ-η1:η3-C(R2) = C(H)C=N(Me)R1}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)2]OSO2CF3 (R1 = Xyl = 2,6-C6H3Me2, R2 = Me; R1 = Me, R2 = CO2Me) provide a versatile entry point for many subsequent transformations, such as their reaction with carbon disulfide to provide zwitterionic dithiocarboxylate products. These compounds react with the coordinatively-unsaturated ruthenium vinyl precursors [Ru(CH=CHR3)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2] (R3 = C6H4Me-4, 1-Pyrenyl) to yield heterotrimetallic Fe2Ru compounds, exhibiting vinyl moieties at both iron and ruthenium centres. The emission associated with the pyrenyl unit is enhanced in the diiron vinyliminium ruthenium pyrenyl complex compared to the diethyldithiocarbamate analogue.

The aza-crown ether compounds 1-aza-15-crown-5 and 1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 react with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide to provide the dithiocarbamates [15]aneO4-NCS2Na and NaS2CN-[18]aneO4-NCS2Na in good yield. The complexes [MRCl(CO)(L)(PPh3)2] (M = Ru, R = H, CH═CHC6H4Me-4, CH═CHBut, CH═CH-pyrenyl-1, C(C≡CPh)═CHPh; M = Os, R = H, CH═CH-pyrenyl-1; L = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole or no ligand) undergo reaction with [15]aneO4-NCS2Na and NaS2CN-[18]aneO4-NCS2Na to yield [MR(S2CN-[15]aneO4)(CO)(PPh3)2] and [{MR(CO)(PPh3)2}2(S2CN-[18]aneO4-NCS2)], respectively. In a similar manner, cis-[RuCl2(dppm)2] provides [Ru(S2CN-[15]aneO4)(dppm)2]+ and [{Ru(dppm)2}2(S2CN-[18]aneO4-NCS2)]2+, respectively. Reaction of [Ru(CH═CHC6H4Me-4)(S2CN-[15]aneO4)(CO)(PPh3)2] with excess HC≡CBut leads to the formation of the alkynyl complex [Ru(C≡CBut)(S2CN-[15]aneO4)(CO)(PPh3)2]. Treatment of [OsHCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] with [HC≡C-bpyReCl(CO)3] results in the bimetallic compound [Os{CH═CH-bpyReCl(CO)3}Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2]. This reacts with...

[EN] A two-photon fluorescent probe based on a ruthenium(II) vinyl complex is capable of selectively detecting carbon monoxide in cells and ex vivo using mice with a subcutaneous air pouch as a model for inflammation. This probe combines highly selective and sensitive ex vivo detection of endogenous CO in a realistic model with facile, inexpensive synthesis, and displays many advantages over the widely used palladium-based systems., The authors thank the Spanish government (Project MAT2015-64139-C4-1), the Generalitat Valencia (Project PROME-TEOII/2014/047), CIBER-BBN, IC Global Engagements fund, Santander Mobility Award. C.T. is grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, A.T. thanks the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2012-634) and J.A.R. thanks the EPSRC, for PhD studentships.

Naturally occurring polymers are promising biocompatible materials that have many applications for emerging therapies, drug delivery systems, and diagnostic agents. The handling and processing of such materials still constitutes a major challenge, which can limit the full exploitation of their properties. This study explores an ambient environment processing technique: coaxial electrospray (CO-ES) to encapsulate genistein (an isoflavonoid and model drug), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs, 10-15 nm), and a fluorophore (BODIPY) into a layered (triglyceride tristearin shell) particulate system, with a view to constructing a theranostic agent. Mode mapping of CO-ES led to an optimized atomization engineering window for stable jetting, leading to encapsulation of SPIONs within particles of diameter 0.65-1.2 μm and drug encapsulation efficiencies of around 92%. Electron microscopy was used to image the encapsulated SPIONs and confirm core-shell triglyceride encapsulation in addition to further physicochemical characterization (AFM, FTIR, DSC, and TGA). Cell viability assays (MTT, HeLa cells) were used to determine optimal SPION loaded particles (∼1 mg/mL), while in vitro release profile experiments (PBS, pH = 7.4) demonstrate a triphasic release profile. Further cell studies confirmed cell uptake and internalization at selected time points (t = 1, 2, and 4 h). The results suggest potential for using the CO-ES technique as an efficient way to encapsulate SPIONs together with sensitive drugs for the development of multimodal particles that have potential application for combined imaging and therapy.

The chromo-fluorogenic detection of carbon monoxide in air has been achieved using a simple, inexpensive system based on ruthenium(II). This probe shows exceptional sensitivity and selectivity in its sensing behavior in the solid state. A color response visible to the naked eye is observed at 5 ppb of CO, and a remarkably clear color change occurs from orange to yellow at the onset of toxic CO concentrations (100 ppm) in air. Even greater sensitivity (1 ppb) can be achieved through a substantial increase in turn-on emission fluorescence in the presence of carbon monoxide, both in air and in solution. No response is observed with other gases including water vapor. Immobilization of the probe on a cellulose strip allows the system to be applied in its current form in a simple optoelectronic device to give a numerical reading and/or alarm., Financial support from the Spanish Government (project MAT2012-38429-C04) and the Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEO/2009/016) is gratefully acknowledged. M.E.M. is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion for an FPU grant. J.D.E.T.W.-E. and A.T. acknowledge the Leverhulme Trust for a grant (RPG-2012-634).

A novel sensor for the detection of heavy metal ions in solution has been designed. It uses a recently developed new nanoplasmonic platform based on self-assembled layers of Au nanoparticles (NPs) at a liquid–liquid interface (LLI). This system is shown to be very promising for the detection of trace amounts of analyte molecules through their Raman scattering fingerprints, enhanced by the NPs’ localized plasmonic resonances. For the detection of heavy metals this platform is modified by controlling and optimizing the ligand functionality on the NPs through the use of polyaromatic ligands (PALs). Importantly, the PALs are soluble in the organic phase whilst the NPs and heavy metals are soluble in the aqueous phase; therefore the self-assembly at the LLI is key to efficient detection. For example, the system described here is able to detect Hg(II) quantities down to 10 pmole levels whilst at the same time differentiating between other heavy metals based on spectral variability. Finally, airborne mercury detection is shown to be possible with a minimally modified platform at the air-liquid/air-solid interface, with a clearly resolvable mercury-positive spectrum being observed within 5 min of exposure.

The room-temperature ionic liquid, [C4C1im][HSO4], provides a multi-faceted medium in which to convert fructose to the versatile chemical building block, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). A range of metal salts have been investigated in order to establish some of the properties required for the optimization of this process. This has led to almost quantitative conversion of fructose to 5-HMF in a system that is both selective for the desired product, less energy intensive, and more environmentally benign than the commercial process.

The gold(I) complexes [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}(L)] [L = PPh3, PCy3, PMe3, CN(t)Bu, IDip] are prepared from KS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2 and [(L)AuCl]. The compounds [L2(AuCl)2] (L2 = dppa, dppf) yield [(L2){AuS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2], while the cyclic complex [(dppm){Au2S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}]OTf is obtained from [dppm(AuCl)2] and AgOTf followed by KS2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2. The compound [Au2{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2] is prepared from [(tht)AuCl] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and the diallyldithiocarbamate ligand. This product ring-closes with [Ru(═CHPh)Cl2(SIMes)(PCy3)] to yield [Au2(S2CNC4H6)2], whereas ring-closing of [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}(PR3)] fails. Warming [Au2{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2] results in formation of gold nanoparticles with diallydithiocarbamate surface units, while heating [Au2(S2CNC4H6)2] with NaBH4 results in nanoparticles with 3-pyrroline dithiocarbamate surface units. Larger nanoparticles with the same surface units are prepared by citrate reduction of HAuCl4 followed by addition of the dithiocarbamate. The diallydithiocarbamate-functionalized nanoparticles undergo ring-closing metathesis using [Ru(═CHC6H4O(i)Pr-2)Cl2(SIMes)]. The interaction between the dithiocarbamate units and the gold surface is explored using computational methods to reveal no need for a countercation. Preliminary calculations indicate that the Au-S interactions are substantially different from those established in theoretical and experimental studies on thiolate-coated nanoparticles. Structural studies are reported for [Au{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}(PPh3)] and [Au2{S2CN(CH2CH═CH2)2}2]. In the latter, exceptionally short intermolecular aurophilic interactions are observed.

Cellulose is the single largest component of lignocellulosic biomass and is an attractive feedstock for a wide variety of renewable platform chemicals and biofuels, providing an alternative to petrochemicals and petrofuels. This potential is currently limited by the existing methods of transforming this poorly soluble polymer into useful chemical building blocks, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Ionic liquids have been used successfully to separate cellulose from the other components of lignocellulosic biomass and so the use of the same medium for the challenging transformation of cellulose into HMF would be highly attractive for the development of the biorefinery concept. In this report, ionic liquids based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cations [C4C1im]+ with Lewis basic (X = Cl−) and Brønsted acidic (X = HSO4−) anions were used to investigate the direct catalytic transformation of cellulose to HMF. Variables probed included the composition of the ionic liquid medium, the metal catalyst, and the reaction conditions (temperature, substrate concentration). Lowering the cellulose loading and optimising the temperature achieved a 58% HMF yield after only one hour at 150 °C using a 7 mol % loading of the CrCl3 catalyst. This compares favourably with current literature procedures requiring much longer reactions times or approaches that are difficult to scale such as microwave irradiation.

The ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(R)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IPr)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) (R = CH=CHBu(t), CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4, C(C≡CPh)=CHPh) are formed on reaction of IPr·CS(2) with [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] (BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) or [Ru(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)Cl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] in the presence of ammonium hexafluorophosphate. Similarly, the complexes [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·ICy)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) and [Ru(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)(κ(2)-S(2)C·ICy)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) are formed in the same manner when ICy·CS(2) is employed. The ligand IMes·CS(2) reacts with [Ru(R)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] to form the compounds [Ru(R)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) (R = CH=CHBu(t), CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4, C(C≡CPh)=CHPh). Two osmium analogues, [Os(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) and [Os(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+) were also prepared. When the more bulky diisopropylphenyl derivative IDip·CS(2) is used, an unusual product, [Ru(κ(2)-SC(H)S(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)·IDip)Cl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+), with a migrated vinyl group, is obtained. Over extended reaction times, [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)Cl(BTD)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] also reacts with IMes·CS(2) and NH(4)PF(6) to yield the analogous product [Ru{κ(2)-SC(H)S(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)·IMes}Cl(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+)via the intermediate [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IMes)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)](+). Structural studies are reported for [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(κ(2)-S(2)C·IPr)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)]PF(6) and [Ru(C(C≡CPh)=CHPh)(κ(2)-S(2)C·ICy)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)]PF(6).

The complexes [RuRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (R = CH=CHtBu, CH=CHC6H4Me-4, CH=CHC5H4FeC 5H5; BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) and [Ru{C(C≡CPh)=CHPh}(CO)(PPh3)2] reacted with pentynoic acid to yield the same complex, [RuCl(O2CCH 2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2], through cleavage of the vinyl ligand. In contrast, the products [RuR(O 2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3) 2] were formed when NaO2CCH2CH 2C≡CH was used. An osmium example, [Os(CH=CHC6H 4Me-4)(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO) (PPh3)2], was also prepared from treatment of [Os(CH=CHC6H4Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3) 2] with NaO2CCH2CH2C≡CH. Coupling of the pendant alkyne in [RuCl(O2CCH2CH 2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2] to yield the homodimetallic complex [{RuCl(O2CCH2CH2C≡ C)(CO)(PPh3)2}2] was achieved by using [PdCl2(PPh3)2], CuI and NEt3. The reactivity of the alkyne unit was further exploited by the metallation of the alkyne with ClAu(PR3) (R = Ph, Cy) and Co2(CO)8 to yield the multimetallic species [Ru(CH=CHC6H4Me-4) (O2CCH2CH2C≡CAuPR3)(CO) (PPh3)2] and [Ru(CH=CHC6H4Me-4) (O2CCH2CH2CC{Co2(CO) 6}H)(CO)(PPh3)2]. The structures of the complexes [Ru(CH=CHC6H4Me-4)(O2CCH 2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh3)2] and [Ru(CH=CHtBu)(O2CCH2CH2C≡CH)(CO)(PPh 3)2] were determined crystallographically. Organometallic ruthenium and osmium pentynoate complexes were prepared, and the pendant alkyne functionality was used to form homodimetallic and heteronuclear di- and trimetallic complexes. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The homobimetallic ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) complexes [{RuR(CO)(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(S(2)COCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2))] (R = CH=CHBu(t), CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4, C(C[triple bond]CPh)=CHPh, CH=CHCPh(2)OH) and [{Os(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(S(2)COCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2))] form readily from the reactions of [MRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] (M = Ru or Os; BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) with the dixanthate KS(2)COCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2)K. Addition of KS(2)COCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2)K to two equivalents of cis-[RuCl(2)(dppm)(2)] leads to the formation of [{(dppm)(2)Ru}(2)(S(2)COCH(2)C(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2))](2+). The benzoate complexes [RuR{O(2)CC(6)H(4)(CH(2)OH)-4}(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] (R = CH=CHBu(t), CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4, C(C[triple bond]CPh)=CHPh) are obtained by treatment of [RuRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] with 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid in the presence of base. Reaction of [RuHCl(CO)(PPh(3))(3)] or [RuRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)] with 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid in the absence of base leads to formation of the chloride analogue [RuCl{O(2)CC(6)H(4)(CH(2)OH)-4}(CO)(PPh(3))(2)]. The unsymmetrical complex [{Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2))] forms from the sequential treatment of [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4){O(2)CC(6)H(4)(CH(2)OH)-4}(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] with base, CS(2) and [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh(3))(2)]. The new mixed-donor xanthate-carboxylate ligand, KO(2)CC(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2)K is formed by treatment of 4-(hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid with excess KOH and two equivalents of carbon disulfide. This ligand reacts with two equivalents of [Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)Cl(BTD)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)] or cis-[RuCl(2)(dppm)(2)] to yield [{(dppm)(2)Ru}(2)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2))](2+) or [{Ru(CH=CHC(6)H(4)Me-4)(CO)(PPh(3))(2)}(2)(O(2)CC(6)H(4)CH(2)OCS(2))], respectively. Electrochemical experiments are also reported in which communication between the metal centres is investigated.

Reaction of [AuCl(PPh(3))] with the zwitterion S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NH(2) yields [(Ph(3)P)Au(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NH(2))]BF(4). Treatment of this species with NEt(3) and CS(2) followed by [AuCl(PPh(3))] leads to [{(Ph(3)P)Au}(2)(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))], which can also be obtained directly from [AuCl(PPh(3))] and KS(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2)K. A heterobimetallic variant, [(dppm)(2)Ru(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))Au(PPh(3))](+), can be prepared by the sequential reaction of [(dppm)(2)Ru(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NH(2))](2+) with NEt(3) and CS(2) followed by [AuCl(PPh(3))]. Reaction of the same ruthenium precursor with [(dppm)(AuCl)(2)] under similar conditions yields the trimetallic complex [(dppm)(2)Ru(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))Au(2)(dppm)](2+). Attempts to prepare the compound [(dppm)Au(2)(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NH(2))](2+) from [(dppm)(AuCl)(2)] led to isolation of the known complex [{(dppm)Au(2)}(2)(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))](2+) via a symmetrization pathway. [{(dppf)Au(2)}(2)(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))](2+) was successfully prepared from [(dppf)(AuCl)(2)] and crystallographically characterized. In addition, a gold(III) trimetallic compound, [{(dppm)(2)Ru(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))}(2)Au](3+), and a tetrametallic gold(I) species, [{(dppm)(2)Ru(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2))Au}(2)](2+), were also synthesized. This methodology was further exploited to attach the zwitterionic (dppm)(2)Ru(S(2)CNC(4)H(8)NCS(2)) unit to the surface of gold nanoparticles, which were generated in situ and found to be 3.4 (+/-0.3) and 14.4 (+/-2.5) nm in diameter depending on the method employed. Nanoparticles with a mixed surface topography were also explored.

The sensing of carbon monoxide (CO) using electrochemical cells or semiconducting metal oxides has led to inexpensive alarms for the home and workplace. It is now recognised that chronic exposure to low levels of CO also poses a significant health risk. It is perhaps surprising therefore that the CO is used in cell-signalling pathways and plays a growing role in therapy. However, the selective monitoring of low levels of CO remains challenging, and it is this area that has benefited from the development of probes which give a colour or fluorescence response. This feature article covers the design of chromo-fluorogenic probes and their application to CO sensing in air, solution and in cells.

[EN] The sensing of carbon monoxide (CO) using electrochemical cells or semiconducting metal oxides has led to inexpensive alarms for the home and workplace. It is now recognised that chronic exposure to low levels of CO also poses a significant health risk. It is perhaps surprising therefore that the CO is used in cell-signalling pathways and plays a growing role in therapy. However, the selective monitoring of low levels of CO remains challenging, and it is this area that has benefited from the development of probes which give a colour or fluorescence response. This feature article covers the design of chromofluorogenic probes and their application to CO sensing in air, solution and in cells., The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Spanish Government (project MAT2012-38429-CO4 and MAT2015-64139-C4-1) and Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEOII/2014/047) for their support. C. M.-H. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for her grant. The Leverhulme Trust is gratefully acknowledged for a studentship to A. T. (RPG-2012-634). The Imperial College Global Engagements fund is thanked by J. D. E. T. W.-E. for provision of a travel grant.

The ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(CHCHR){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] (R = But, C6H4Me-4) are formed on reaction of (NH4)[S2P(OEt)2] with [Ru(CHCHR)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole), while the enynyl complex [Ru(C(CCPh)CHPh)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2] loses a phosphine on treatment with the same ligand to yield [Ru(η3-PhCC–CCHPh){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)]. The stilbenyl complexes [Ru(CPhCHPh)Cl(CA)(PPh3)2] (A = O, S) react with (NH4)[S2P(OEt)2] to provide the dimers [Ru(CPhCHPh){μ–κ1–κ2–S2P(OEt)2}(CA)(PPh3)]2. Treatment of the thiocarbonyl complex with carbon monoxide results in migratory insertion of the vinyl and CS ligands to provide [Ru(η2-SCCPhCHPh){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)]. On treatment with excess 4-ethynyltoluene, the known compound [RuH{κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] undergoes insertion of the alkyne to provide an alternative route to [Ru(CHCHC6H4Me-4){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2]. The compounds [Ru(CHCHR){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] (R = n-C4H9, CH2OSi(But)Me2, CO2Me, Fc, CPh2OH, (HO)C6H10) were prepared cleanly by this route using HCCR. On stirring [RuH{κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] over a longer period of time with excess 4-ethynyltoluene, the acetylide [Ru(CCC6H4Me–4){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] is generated. Heating [Ru(CHCHC6H4Me-4){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] with excess 3,3-dimethylbut-1-yne in 1,2-dichloroethane led to elimination of the vinyl ligand and formation of the acetylide compound [Ru(CCBut){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2]. A small amount of the side product, [RuCl{κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2], was also formed. This could be obtained directly from the reaction of [RuH{κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] with N-chlorosuccinimide. The related mixed-donor ligand, K[OP(S)(OEt)2], reacts with [Ru(CHCHC6H4Me-4)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] to yield [Ru(CHCHC6H4Me-4){κ2-OP(S)(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2]. The molecular structure of [Ru(CHCHCPh2OH){κ2-S2P(OEt)2}(CO)(PPh3)2] was determined crystallographically.

The imidazolium-2-dithiocarboxylate ligands IPr·CS2, IMes·CS2, and IDip·CS2 react with [AuCl(PPh3)] to yield [(Ph3P)Au(S2C·IPr)]+, [(Ph3P)Au(S2C·IMes)]+, and [(Ph3P)Au(S2C·IDip)]+, respectively. The compounds [(L)Au(S2C·IMes)]+ are prepared from the reaction of IMes·CS2 with [AuCl(L)] (L = PMe3, PCy3, CNtBu). The carbene-containing precursor [(IDip)AuCl] reacts with IPr·CS2 and IMes·CS2 to afford the complexes [(IDip)Au(S2C·IPr)]+ and [(IDip)Au(S2C·IMes)]+ with two carbene units, one bound to the metal center and the other to the dithiocarboxylate unit. Treatment of the diphosphine-gold complex [(dppm)(AuCl)2] with 1 equiv of IMes·CS2 yields [(dppm)Au2(S2C·IMes)]2+, while the reaction of [L2(AuCl)2] (L2 = dppb, dppf) with 2 equiv of IMes·CS2 results in [(L2){Au(S2C·IMes)}2]2+. The homoleptic complexes [Au(S2C·IPr)2]2+, [Au(S2C·IMes)2]2+, and [Au(S2C·IDip)2]2+ are obtained from the reaction of [AuCl(tht)] with 2 equiv of the appropriate imidazolium-2-dithiocarboxylate ligand. The compounds [(Ph3P)Au(S2C·NH...

Assembly of dodecyl thiocyanate (C12SCN) from ethanol solution onto Au(111)/mica substrates was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). Contrary to previous reports, thiolate monolayers formed by cleavage of the S-CN bond can be obtained whose quality is at least as good as that of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed directly from the thiol analogue of C12SCN, dodecanethiol (C12SH). However, the achievable quality is strikingly dependent on the purity of the thiocyanate with even low levels of contamination impeding the formation of structurally well-defined monolayers.

The use of nanoparticles is now expanding well beyond the field of pure materials science. In particular, the modification of the surface functionality is playing a key role in catalysis, sensor applications and immobilisation of biomolecules. The use of coordinated metals on the outer surface of gold nanoparticles is the focus of this short article.

The reactions of [RuHCl(CS)(PPh3)3] with R1C⋮CR2 (R1 = R2 = H, Ph, CO2Me; R1 = H, R2 = C6H4Me-4; R1 = C⋮CPh, R2 = Ph) lead to the five- or six-coordinate (R1 = R2 = CO2Me) σ-alkenyl complexes [Ru(CR1CHR2)Cl(CS)(PPh3)2], the stilbenyl derivative being also formed by thermolysis of [RuCl(κ2-O2CH)(CS)(PPh3)2] in the presence of diphenylacetylene. These complexes rapidly react with carbon monoxide to provide the bidentate thioacyl complexes [Ru(η2-SCCR1CHR2)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2] (R1 = R2 = H, Ph; R1 = H, R2 = Ph; R1 = C⋮CPh, R2 = Ph) or the σ-alkenyl tautomer [Ru(CR1CHR2)Cl(CO)(CS)(PPh3)2] (R1 = R2 = CO2Me), depending on the alkenyl substituent. The compound [RuHCl(CS)(PPh3)3] reacts with 1/2 equiv of 1,4-diethynylbenzene to provide the coordinatively unsaturated bimetallic species [(Ph3P)2(SC)ClRu(CHCHC6H4CHCH)RuCl(CS)(PPh3)2] in situ, which undergoes migratory insertion on addition of carbon monoxide to give the bis(thioacyl) species [(Ph3P)2(OC)ClRu(η2-SCCHCHC6H4CHCHCS-η2)RuCl(CO)(PPh3)2]. On reaction with BSD (2...

[EN] The detection of carbon monoxide in solution and air has been achieved using simple, inexpensive systems based on the vinyl complexes [M(CH=CHR)Cl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)2] (R=aryl, BTD=2,1,3-benzothiadiazole). Depending on the nature of the vinyl group, chromogenic and fluorogenic responses signalled the presence of this odourless, tasteless, invisible, and toxic gas. Solutions of the complexes in CHCl3 underwent rapid change between easily differentiated colours when exposed to air samples containing CO. More significantly, the adsorption of the complexes on silica produced colorimetric probes for the naked-eye detection of CO in the gas phase. Structural data for key species before and after the addition of CO were obtained by means of single X-ray diffraction studies. In all cases, the ruthenium and osmium vinyl complexes studied showed a highly selective response to CO with exceptionally low detection limits. Naked-eye detection of CO at concentrations as low as 5 ppb in air was achieved with the onset of toxic levels (i.e., 100 ppm), thus resulting in a remarkably clear colour change. Moreover, complexes bearing pyrenyl, naphthyl, and phenanthrenyl moieties were fluorescent, and greater sensitivities were achieved (through turn-on emission fluorescence) in the presence of CO both in solution and air. This behaviour was explored computationally using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) experiments. In addition, the systems were shown to be selective for CO over all other gases tested, including water vapour and common organic solvents. Supporting the metal complexes on cellulose strips for use in an existing optoelectronic device allows numerical readings for the CO concentration to be obtained and provision of an alarm system., The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Spanish Government (project MAT2012-38429-C04) and Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEOII/2014/047) for their support. M.E.M. is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion for an FPU grant and a short-stay fellowship, which allowed this profitable collaboration. C.M.-H. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for her grant. A.T. gratefully acknowledges the support of the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RPG-2012-634) for a studentship. The authors thank Prof. C. K. Williams, Prof. N. J. Long, and Dr P. Hunt (Imperial College, UK) for the use of apparatus and assistance.

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of two omega-(4'-methylbiphenyl-4-yl)alkanethiols (CH(3)(C(6)H(4))(2)(CH(2))(n)SH, BPn, n = 4, 6) on Au(111) substrates, prepared from solution at room temperature and subsequently annealed at temperatures up to 493 K under a nitrogen atmosphere, were studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS), and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). In striking contrast to BPn SAMs with n = odd, for which only one phase is observed, the even-numbered BPn SAMs exhibit polymorphism. Irreversible phase transitions occur which involve three phases differing substantially in density and stability. Upon annealing, BP4 and BP6 transform into a beta-phase, which is characterized by an exceptionally high structural quality with virtually defect-free domains exceeding 500 nm in diameter. Exchange experiments, monitored by contact angle measurement, reveal that the beta-phase exhibits a dramatically improved stability. The fundamental differences in the phase behavior of even- and odd-numbered BPn SAMs are discussed in terms of two design strategies based on cooperative and competitive effects.

A series of molecules bearing both sulfur and nitrogen donors has been investigated as ligands for sigma-alkenyl ruthenium complexes. On deprotonation, the ligands, 4-amino-2-mercaptopyrimidine (HL1), 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (HL2), 2-mercaptothiazoline (HL3), 4-hydroxy-2-mercaptopyrimidine (HL4) and 2-mercaptoquinoline (HL5) all react with alkenyl complexes of the form [RuRCl(CO)(BTD)(PPh3)(2)] [R = CH=CHC6H5, CH=CHC6H4Me-4, C(C CPh)= CHPh; BTD = 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole] through loss of chloride and BTD ligands to yield [RuR(L)(CO)(PPh3)(2)]. Four of these ligands have alternative potential coordination modes and donor groups. In all cases complexation occurs to form four-membered nitrogen-sulfur chelates with the pendant amino or hydroxy functionality playing no role in coordination. In the case of the 4-aminopyrimidine-2-thiolate (L-1) ligand, this was confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray study. 2-Mercaptothiazoline (L-3) has the ability to coordinate through two sulfur donors, however, chelation to nitrogen and sulfur donors is preferred as demonstrated by a structural study. This observation is supported by theoretical calculations, which show that a complex displaying the nitrogen-sulfur chelate is of significantly lower energy than one bonded to the ligand through two sulfur donors, despite lone pairs being available in both cases. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006).

The zwitterionic piperazine-derived dithiocarbamate complex [(dppm)2Ru(S2CNC4H8NCS2)] has been prepared and utilised in the synthesis of multimetallic arrays incorporating a wide range of transition metal centres. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)