Adamantane-type clusters: compounds with a ubiquitous architecture but a wide variety of compositions and unexpected materials properties

The research into adamantane-type compounds has gained momentum in recent years, yielding remarkable new applications for this class of materials. In particular, organic adamantane derivatives (AdR4) or inorganic adamantane-type compounds of the general formula [(RT)4E6] (R: organic substituent; T: group 14 atom C, Si, Ge, Sn; E: chalcogenide atom S, Se, Te, or CH2) were shown to exhibit strong nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, either second-harmonic generation (SHG) or an unprecedented type of highly-directed white-light generation (WLG) - depending on their respective crystalline or amorphous nature. The (missing) crystallinity, as well as the maximum wavelengths of the optical transitions, are controlled by the clusters' elemental composition and by the nature of the organic groups R. Very recently, it has been additionally shown that cluster cores with increased inhomogeneity, like the one in compounds [RSi{CH2Sn(E)R'}3], not only affect the chemical properties, such as increased robustness and reversible melting behaviour, but that such 'cluster glasses' form a conceptually new basis for their use in light conversion devices. These findings are likely only the tip of the iceberg, as beside elemental combinations including group 14 and group 16 elements, many more adamantane-type clusters (on the one hand) and related architectures representing extensions of adamantane-type clusters (on the other hand) are known, but have not yet been addressed in terms of their opto-electronic properties. In this review, we therefore present a survey of all known classes of adanmantane-type compounds and their respective synthetic access as well as their optical properties, if reported.

A stable 1D helical silver coordination polymer with red emission

Here, a new 1D helical chain coordination polymer with enhanced chemical stability and fluorescence emission was prepared by introducing a benzimidazole molecule into Ag₁₂ clusters.

Ni(ii)/Cu(ii)/Zn(ii) 5,5-diethylbarbiturate complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-dipyridylamine: synthesis, structures, DNA/BSA binding, nuclease activity, molecular docking, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity and the mode of cell death

DNA/BSA binding and anticancer properties of new Ni(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) 5,5-diethylbarbiturate complexes were evaluated.

Photo-electroactive ternary chalcogenido-indate-stannates with a unique 2-D porous structure

A series of photo-electroactive 2-D In–Sn–Q ternary compounds are prepared using metal–phenanthroline complex templates. The 2-D network joint of In–Sn–Q is a (In/Sn)₃Q₃ six-membered ring, which is different from the Sn₃S₄ pseudosemicube of most 2-D Sn–Q binary compounds.

Exploring energy transfer in luminescent heterometallic ruthenium-iridium ion pairs

Here, we report the synthesis of a luminescent ion pair with the formula [Ru(dtBubpy)3][Ir(ppy)2(CN)2]2. The crystal structure of this three component, heterometallic assembly is described, along with the luminescence properties of the salt. The modulation of the energy transfer between the blue-green-emitting iridium complex and the red-emitting ruthenium complex is also discussed as a function of both medium and concentration.

Synthesis of a novel hybrid metal–organic salt and its solid-state transformation

A new adamantanoid metal cluster has been synthesized and its solid-state transformation monitored by X-ray diffraction.