Alkali Blues: Blue-Emissive Alkali Metal Pyrrolates

2-Iminopyrroles [H^tBuL, 4-tert-butyl phenyl(pyrrol-2-ylmethylene)amine] are non-fluorescent π systems. However, they display blue fluorescence after deprotonation with alkali metal bases in the solid state and in solution at room temperature. In the solid state, the alkali metal 2-imino pyrrolates, M(^tBuL), aggregate to dimers, [M(^tBuL)(NCR)]₂ (M=Li, R=CH₃, CH(CH₃)CNH₂), or polymers, [M(^tBuL)]_n (M=Na, K). In solution (solv=CH₃CN, DMSO, THF, and toluene), solvated, uncharged monomeric species M(^tBuL)(solv)_m with N,N′-chelated alkali metal ions are present. Due to the electron-rich pyrrolate and the electron-poor arylimino moiety, the M(^tBuL) chromophore possesses a low-energy intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) excited state. The chelated alkali cations rigidify the chromophore, restricting intramolecular motions (RIM) by the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect in solution and, consequently, switch-on a blue fluorescence emission.     

Charge-Transfer and Spin-Flip States: Thriving as Complements

Transition metal complexes with photoactive charge-transfer excited states are pervasive throughout the literature. In particular, [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine), with its metal-to-ligand charge-transfer emission, has been established as a key complex. Meanwhile, interest in so-called spin-flip metal-centered states has risen dramatically after the molecular ruby [Cr(ddpd)₂]³⁺ (ddpd=N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dipyridin-2-yl-pyridine-2,6-diamine) led to design principles to access strong, long-lived emission from photostable chromium(III) complexes. This Review contrasts the properties of emissive charge-transfer and spin-flip states by using [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ and [Cr(ddpd)₂]³⁺ as prototypical examples. We discuss the relevant excited states, the tunability of their energy and lifetimes, and their response to external stimuli. Finally, we identify strengths and weaknesses of charge-transfer and spin-flip states in applications such as photocatalysis and circularly polarized luminescence.     

From Infinite Chains according to 1∞[Zr(S2O7)4/2] in Zr(S2O7)2 to the unprecedented [Zr(S2O7)4]4– Anion in Ag4[Zr(S2O7)4]

The reaction of ZrCl₄ with oleum (65 % SO₃) in the presence of Ag₂SO₄ at 250 °C yielded colorless single crystals of Zr(S₂O₇)₂ [orthorhombic, Pccn, Z = 4, a = 709.08(6) pm, b = 1442.2(2) pm, c = 942.23(9) pm, V = 963.5(2) × 10⁶ pm³]. Zr(S₂O₇)₂ shows Zr⁴⁺ ions in an eightfold distorted square antiprismatic coordination of oxygen atoms belonging to four chelating disulfate units. Each S₂O₇^2– ion is connected to a further Zr⁴⁺ ion leading to chains according to ¹_∞[Zr(S₂O₇)_4/2]. The same reaction at a temperature of 150 °C resulted in the formation of Ag₄[Zr(S₂O₇)₄] [monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4, a = 1829.35(9) pm, b = 704.37(3) pm, c = 1999.1(1) pm, β = 117.844(2)°, V = 2277.6(2) × 10⁶ pm³]. Ag₄[Zr(S₂O₇)₄] exhibits the unprecedented [Zr(S₂O₇)₄]^4– anion, in which the central Zr⁴⁺ cation is coordinated by four chelating disulfate units. Thus, in Ag₄[Zr(S₂O₇)₄] the ¹_∞[[Zr(S₂O₇)_4/2] chains observed in Zr(S₂O₇)₂ are formally cut into pieces by the implementation of Ag⁺ ions.     

Life and health insurance behaviour of individuals having undergone a predictive genetic testing programme for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer

Objective and Methods: We describe the insurance behaviour of subjects (n=271) who had previously taken a predictive genetic test for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC); 31% of them were mutation positive, indicating a high risk of cancer. One year after testing, subjects were sent a questionnaire including questions about their present life and health insurance before participation in the study, and their actual and planned purchase of the insurance policies during the testing programme which compromised a pre-test counseling session, a period for reflection, the testing, and a test disclosure session. Results: Thirty percent reported that they already had a life insurance and 14% a health insurance before participating in the study. The mutation-positive subjects possessed a health insurance significantly more often than the mutation-negative individuals (21 vs. 11%, p=0.02) and similar trend was observed for life insurance (36 vs. 28%, p=0.12). Life and health insurance policies purchased just before testing was reported by 3 and 2% of the subjects, respectively. Life and health insurance policies purchased after testing were reported by 3 and <1% respectively, and planned purchase by 3 and 2%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups defined by mutation status in reports of life or health insurance behaviour during or after the programme. Conclusion: According to self-reported data, the mutation-positive subjects did not differ from the others in the purchase of life or health insurance policies. However, the mutation-positive individuals reported that they possessed health insurance policies before entering the study more often than their counterparts.     

Water‐Splitting Catalysis and Solar Fuel Devices: Artificial Leaves on the Move

The development of new energy materials that can be utilized to make renewable and clean fuels from abundant and easily accessible resources is among the most challenging and demanding tasks in science today. Solar‐powered catalytic water‐splitting processes can be exploited as a source of electrons and protons to make clean renewable fuels, such as hydrogen, and in the sequestration of CO₂ and its conversion into low‐carbon energy carriers. Recently, there have been tremendous efforts to build up a stand‐alone solar‐to‐fuel conversion device, the “artificial leaf”, using light and water as raw materials. An overview of the recent progress in electrochemical and photo‐electrocatalytic water splitting devices is presented, using both molecular water oxidation complexes (WOCs) and nano‐structured assemblies to develop an artificial photosynthetic system.