Dalton Transactions Blog

Prof. Shaikh M. Mobin and Dalton Transactions

This year, we are celebrating the 50^th volume of Dalton Transactions by taking a look at some of our authors who have published over 50 articles in the journal. This week we learn what Dalton Transactions means to Professor Shaikh M. Mobin.

Our author at a glance:

Prof. Shaikh Mobin is based in the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore), India. His research is focused on the design and synthesis of novel MOFs and COFs, and their applications in sensing, drug delivery, energy storage and conversion, catalysis and more. He chooses to publish in Dalton Transactions because it has “the fairest review process and wide readership among traditional inorganic chemists” and is a ‘bible for fundamental inorganic chemistry articles’.

Please can you summarise your most recent research published in Dalton Transactions?

Our latest research was an invited review. This invitation came to us in a very crucial time in 2020 when we all were under lockdown and this review helped us a lot in keeping the group members’ momentum high and it prevented us in our worries of loss of time apart. In this review, we highlighted the recent and future prospects on mixed-metal MOFs as emerging supercapacitor candidates.

How do you intend to expand upon your research in the future?

From bench work to publications, research has been a very challenging task these days. Thus, to keep up with the pace and quality of research, we are planning to expand our research in various upcoming areas. In this regard, we have so far been able to keep a good amount of co-workers and we would like to continue to keep this trend going. We will also continue to have multi-disciplinary work within the group, and most important is to keep yourself updated with the track of ongoing research in your field.

What would you say are the biggest barriers which need to be overcome to expand your research?

The biggest barriers which I can immediately think about are (i) Research funding and (ii) state of the art research facilities. Both are correlated and with the recent pandemic, this may put up a further barrier in basic research funding. We have ideas that comprise of both fundamental research and applied research, but getting it funded is still a major hurdle and also exploring for easy accessible facilities to complete such projects is challenging. Nevertheless, that also indicates that we must have the best project proposal to compete for available funding.

You’ve published over 50 articles in Dalton Transactions, which of these works do you find to be most interesting/significant for our broad inorganic audience?

Our work on solid-state structural transformations (see Retention of single crystals of two Co(II) complexes during chemical reactions and rearrangement and Single-crystal to single-crystal transformations in discrete hydrated dimeric copper complexes) is always very special for me. The other most interesting work is the design and synthesis of  A novel mesoionic carbene based highly fluorescent Pd(II) complex as an endoplasmic reticulum tracker in live cells, which also appeared as cover art for Dalton.

Another area of research which I find more interesting is electrochemical sensing by employing: (i) Small biomolecule sensors based on an innovative MoS₂–rGO heterostructure modified electrode and (ii) Non-enzymatic amperometric sensing of glucose by employing sucrose templated microspheres of copper oxide (CuO). All these areas of works have attracted good readership across the globe.

Outside of your own research, please suggest a Dalton Transactions article which you think has made a significant contribution to its field?

Although it’s difficult to choose any one particular impactful article, if I had to suggest one article in the area of solid-state structural reactivity, I would choose the perspective by Vittal, J. J. et al on Photochemical reactions of metal complexes in the solid state, which has well written notes on this topic. Another perspective, which I personally feel has quite an impact to inorganic readership in the area of electronic structure, is Electronic structure alternatives in nitrosylruthenium complexes by Profs Kaim and Lahiri, which nicely covers the fundamental aspects of electronic structure. In optical sensing, I would suggest Triarylborane substituted naphthalimide as a fluoride and cyanide ion sensor by Misra et al., which is very interesting in this field.

What advice do you have for young researchers new to your field?

One must be aggressive in your research with checking the updated literature in your own field. As I said above, from bench work to publications, research is extremely challenging these days: for instance, you may discuss some work in your group meeting and by the time you have your next group meeting, you may see similar work has been published. Do your research planning very carefully and have a good team and give them liberty to work.

What does Dalton Transactions mean to you?

I call it a “Bible for Fundamental Inorganic Chemistry articles”. It’s one of my all-time favourite journals.

Why do you choose to publish in Dalton Transactions?

Dalton has the fairest review process and wide readership among traditional inorganic chemists.

What is your experience of publishing with Dalton Transactions?

It has always been satisfying and excellent.

You can check out Shaikh’s most recent Dalton Transactions article on the prospects of mixed-metal MOFs as supercapacitors below.

Recent highlights and future prospects on mixed-metal MOFs as emerging supercapacitor candidates

Richa Rajak, Ravinder Kumar, Shagufi Naz Ansari, Mohit Saraf and Shaikh M. Mobin*

Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 11792-11818

Check out the full collection of recent research published in Dalton Transactions by all of our featured Golden Authors in our Celebrating our Golden Authors collection.

Prof. Evamarie Hey-Hawkins and Dalton Transactions

This year, we are celebrating the 50^th volume of Dalton Transactions by taking a look at some of our authors who have published over 50 articles in the journal. This week we learn what Dalton Transactions means to Professor Evamarie Hey-Hawkins.

Our author at a glance:

Prof. Dr. Evamarie Hey-Hawkins is based at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry in the Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy at Leipzig University, Germany. Her research is focused on three main areas: homogeneous transition metal catalysis; inorganic compounds for medicinal and biological applications; and phosphorus-rich novel materials. She chooses to publish in Dalton Transactions because of its “excellent reputation and high-quality, original publications”, and has always felt that her research and contributions are highly appreciated.

Please can you summarise your most recent research published in Dalton Transactions?

In stimuli-responsive catalysis, redox-switchable catalysis is an important area. In our latest publication, we have shown that the aromatic core (s-triazine, benzene, or trifluorobenzene) in C₃-symmetric tris(ferrocenyl)arene-based tris-phosphanes has a pronounced effect on their coordination behaviour towards gold(I), resulting in two different coordination modes for the 1:1 and 2:3 (L:M) complexes, respectively. The redox-responsive nature of the complexes was exploited in the catalytic ring-closing isomerisation of N-(2-propyn-1-yl)benzamide, in which the benzene-based 2:3 (L:M) complex comprising six ferrocenylene moieties was shown to display multiple activity states depending on the degree of (reversible) oxidation.

How do you intend to expand upon your research in the future?

As my scientific interests are manifold, expansion of my research in the future will be along our three main research areas. In switchable catalysis, we will focus on photo-switchable catalytic systems based on phosphines. In medicinal chemistry, we are now targeting anti-cancer drugs comprising more than one active component, to overcome resistance and reduce side effects. And last but not least, in materials science, we are now looking at the targeted synthesis of higher oligophosphines (≥ 9 phosphorus atoms), such as nona-, deca- or even higher oligophosphines, and their metal complexes as precursors for novel phosphorus-rich metal phosphides.

What would you say are the biggest barriers which need to be overcome to expand your research?

Our research is highly interdisciplinary, and thus requires collaboration with experts worldwide. For example, in photo-switchable catalysis, we need to collaborate with experts in photochemistry and photophysics to understand the switching mechanisms and how to influence them. In medicinal chemistry, we are preparing the potential drugs, but we need experts to test their anti-tumour activity and to help us understand their mode of action. Luckily, we are extremely well connected, but the present pandemic has made personal interactions quite difficult for the time being.

You’ve published over 50 articles in Dalton Transactions; which of these works do you find to be most interesting/significant for our broad inorganic audience?

Our 2007 paper on Aminoalkylferrocenyldichlorophosphanes: facile synthesis of versatile chiral starting materials. As the title states, this ferrocenyl dichlorophosphine can be employed as an extremely versatile starting material for a large library of P-chiral, planar-chiral ferrocene derivatives.

Our joint paper on Novel chiral 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane ligands and their transition metal complexes with Andrey A. Karasik and his team from the Arbusov Institute in Kazan, Russia, in 2003, was the first of a series of papers on P,N heterocycles, macrocycles and cryptands. These ligands show a very rich coordination chemistry, and the resulting complexes are not only interesting for catalytic applications, but also as luminescent materials.

Our 2004 publication on The reactivity of cyclo-(P₅^tBu₄)⁻ towards group 13, 14 and 15 metal chlorides: complexation and formation of cyclooligophosphanes, {cyclo-(P₅^tBu₄)}₂ and {cyclo-(P₄^tBu₃)P^tBu}₂, by reductive elimination opened the door for the targeted formation of phosphorus-rich oligophosphines.

Outside of your own research, please suggest a Dalton Transactions article which you think has made a significant contribution to its field?

It would be rather difficult to name just one article. However, I think that the Themed Collections, especially the annual “Frontier and Perspective articles” are an excellent collection of the most significant contributions in their respective fields.

What advice do you have for young researchers new to your field?

Be enthusiastic about your research. Believe in your ideas, have courage, determination, and perseverance in following your scientific goals. Collaboration can make your scientific life much richer but select your collaborators carefully. Be committed to very good science and of course, good scientific practice. Think positive and enjoy life.

What does Dalton Transactions mean to you?

I published my first paper in Dalton Transactions thirty years ago in 1991 on the use of zirconocene(IV) bis(phosphanido) complexes as PR₂ transfer reagents, an interdisciplinary topic that I worked on during my habilitation and is still topical today. While it took another ten years before I submitted my second paper dealing with the syntheses and solid-state structures of primary alkali metal phosphanides (MPHR, with M = K and Rb) in 2001, many more publications followed. I have always felt that my research and my contributions were highly appreciated by the journal.

Why do you choose to publish in Dalton Transactions?

Dalton Transactions has an excellent reputation and is known for high-quality, original publications. As the scope of Dalton Transactions is perfectly aligned with my various research interests in inorganic, organometallic and bioinorganic chemistry, including new inorganic materials and homogeneous catalysis, I can be sure to reach the readership that we want to target with our publications in various areas.

What is your experience of publishing with Dalton Transactions?

The handling of my submitted manuscripts is always very professional, fast and highly competent. After acceptance, publication is also very fast.

You can check out Eva’s most recent Dalton Transactions article on how arene substitution affects the coordination and catalytic behaviour of tris(1-phosphanyl-1′-ferrocenylene)arene gold(I) complexes below.

The core of the matter – arene substitution determines the coordination and catalytic behaviour of tris(1-phosphanyl-1′-ferrocenylene)arene gold(I) complexes

Axel Straube, Peter Coburger, Marvin Michak, Mark R. Ringenberg and Evamarie Hey-Hawkins*

Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 16667-16682

As featured on the cover:

Check out the full collection of recent research published in Dalton Transactions by all of our featured Golden Authors in our Celebrating our Golden Authors collection.

Prof. Zhong-Min Su and Dalton Transactions

This year, we are celebrating the 50^th volume of Dalton Transactions by taking a look at some of our authors who have published over 50 articles in the journal. This week, we learn what Dalton Transactions means to Professor Zhong-Min Su.

Our author at a glance:

Professor Zhong-Min Su is based in the Key Lab of Polyoxometalate Science of Ministry of Education, at the Northeast Normal University in China. His research interests include polyoxometalates, metal-organic frameworks and photoelectric materials, all underpinned by theoretical chemistry.  He views Dalton Transactions as the home of new and innovative inorganic chemistry research.

Please can you summarise your most recent research published in Dalton Transactions?

Our research combines theoretical calculations with the design and synthesis of new molecules and materials, predicting and realizing the functional properties of molecules and materials.

How do you intend to expand upon your research in the future?

We will use theoretical chemistry combined with experimental chemistry to design and predict the molecular structure and functional properties of materials.

What would you say are the biggest barriers which need to be overcome to expand your research?

The large molecular weight of polyoxometalates brings about difficulties in theoretical calculations and the realization of accurate prediction of the properties of polyoxometalates.

You’ve published over 50 articles in Dalton Transactions, which of these works do you find to be most interesting/significant for our broad inorganic audience?

Our research focusing on the use of theoretical chemistry alongside experimental chemistry to explain and predict the mechanisms of functional properties of materials.

Outside of your own research, please suggest a Dalton Transactions article which you think has made a significant contribution to its field?

All novel, complete, and in-depth research is vital to the development of molecular design and materials science.

What does publishing in Dalton Transactions mean to you?

Dalton is a well established and trustworthy journal which promotes the development of inorganic chemistry. I choose to publish my innovative inorganic chemistry research in Dalton Transactions, where these new, innovative, systematic studies can be recognized and enjoyed by reviewers and readers.

You can check out Zhong-Min’s most recent Dalton Transactions article on syntheses of cucurbit[6]uril-based metal–organic rotaxane networks by the anion regulation strategy and their proton conduction properties below.

Syntheses of cucurbit[6]uril-based metal–organic rotaxane networks by the anion regulation strategy and their proton conduction properties

Xue-Song Wu, Dong-Ming Cheng,  Xin-Long Wang, Jing Sun, Hong-Ying Zang and  Zhong-Min Su,

Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 1747-1751

Check out the full collection of recent research published in Dalton Transactions by all of our featured Golden Authors in our Celebrating our Golden Authors collection.

 Prof. Keith Murray and Dalton Transactions

This year, we are celebrating the 50^th volume of Dalton Transactions by taking a look at some of our authors who have published over 50 articles in the journal. This week we learn what Dalton Transactions means to Professor Keith Murray.

Our author at a glance:

Professor Keith Murray’s research at Monash University, Australia, is focused on molecular magnetism and spin crossover. He chooses to publish with Dalton Transactions as the journal is dedicated to publishing “the finest inorganic chemistry in the UK and worldwide” and describes his experience publishing in Dalton Transactions over the years as a “happy and satisfying one”.

Please can you summarise your most recent research published in Dalton Transactions?

Lanthanoid pyridyl-β-diketonate ‘triangles’. New examples of single molecule toroics.  This paper, with Dr Rebecca Fuller, describes a collaborative project dealing with new examples of triangular lanthanoid(III) complexes displaying single molecule toroidal behaviour. The syntheses and structures are by Rebecca and group, the magnetism by my group and the theory by Rajaraman and group.

How do you intend to expand upon your research in the future?

At this stage in my 55 year research career I will concentrate on collaborative projects dealing with molecular based magnetic materials, with emphasis on single molecule toroics, and with spin switching materials.

You’ve published over 50 articles in Dalton Transactions, which of these works do you find to be most interesting/significant for our broad inorganic audience?

Crown-linked dipyridylamino-triazine ligands and their spin-crossover iron(II) derivatives: magnetism, photomagnetism and cooperativity.

This paper is classified as “HOT” and contains a nice balance of compound design, synthesis, magnetism, photomagnetism, spin switching and theory.

Outside of your own research, please suggest a Dalton Transactions article which you think has made a significant contribution to its field?

It is hard to single out one of many Dalton Transactions articles. Going back to J. Chem. Soc. A days, Geoffrey Wilkinson always wrote ‘straight across’ papers that contained key findings in metal catalysis chemistry. He didn’t need to “dress up” his papers.

What advice do you have for young researchers new to your field?

In the molecular magnetism field; work hard, get research grants and instrument grants (e.g. Squid magnetometers); attend and present at conferences thus widening their international networks; most importantly – support the research students including helping them to get jobs/fellowships post-thesis.

What does Dalton Transactions mean to you?

It represents the finest inorganic chemistry in the UK and worldwide. My first papers in Dalton (J. Chem. Soc. A) were in 1967.

Why do you choose to publish in Dalton Transactions?

See above. Being aware of impact factors, I see Dalton Trans. in the same group as Inorg. Chem., Chem Eur J., Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., Chem. Mater. and J. Mater. Chem.

Incidentally, John Dalton was born near where I was brought up in Eaglesfield, Cumbria.

What is your experience of publishing with Dalton Transactions?

My experience has always been a happy and satisfying one.

You can check out Keith’s most recent Dalton Transactions article on lanthanoid pyridyl-β-diketonate ‘triangles’. New examples of single molecule toroics below.

Lanthanoid pyridyl-β-diketonate ‘triangles’. New examples of single molecule toroics

Chiara Caporale, Alexandre N. Sobolev, Wasinee Phonsri, Keith S. Murray, Abinash Swain, Gopalan Rajaraman, Mark I. Ogden, Massimiliano Massi and Rebecca O. Fuller*

Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 17421-17432

Check out the full collection of recent research published in Dalton Transactions by all of our featured Golden Authors in our Celebrating our Golden Authors collection.