Dalton Transactions Blog

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.

 Prof. Douglas Stephan 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 Douglas Stephan.

Our authors at a glance:

Professor Douglas Stephan is based at the University of Toronto’s Department of Chemistry, where his research focuses on main group and organometallic chemistry, Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) and catalysis. He chooses to publish in Dalton Transactions as it is “the signature journal for inorganic chemists around the world” reaching a broad readership across the inorganic community.

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

In our latest Dalton paper, we prepared the first stable C-B-N-substituted borinium cation [MesBNⁱPr₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] and examined its reactivity. We demonstrated that in reactions with isothiocyanate and carbodiimides, insertion into a  B-C bond affords nitrilium and borenium amidinate salts, respectively.

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

We are continuing to broaden the use of main group reagents for stoichiometric and catalytic FLP chemistry of interest. We are particularly focused on novel bond-forming reactions as well as avenues to the activation of very strong bonds.

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

We are learning new rules for the reactivity of main group chemistry, the challenge is seeing the broader implications and applications.

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?

Of our work published in Dalton Transactions, we have had a number of papers that have addressed aspects of FLP chemistry and new Lewis acids. I believe that some of these papers find readers outside of the main group or even inorganic communities.

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

Most recently I have been very excited to read the work from the group of Sjoerd Harder. One such paper was: Calcium catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular alkene hydroamination with chiral C2-symmetric bis-amide ligands

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

The most interesting observations are often those that are contrary to the expected. When that happens, do not dismiss it as an error, embrace it as an opportunity.

What does Dalton Transactions mean to you?

Dalton Transactions is the signature journal for inorganic chemists around the world.

Why do you choose to publish in Dalton Transactions?

I choose Dalton as it is a journal for the broad inorganic community that has a broad readership.

What is your experience of publishing with Dalton Transactions?

I have always felt that work submitted to Dalton has been reviewed in a fair and timely fashion.

You can check out Douglas’ most recent Dalton Transactions article on the insertion reactions of the C–B–N-substituted  borinium cation [MesBNⁱPr₂]⁺ below.

Insertion reactions of the C–B–N-substituted borinium cation [MesBNⁱPr₂]⁺

Karlee L. Bamford and Douglas W. Stephan,

Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 17571-17577

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. Catherine Housecroft, Prof. Ed Constable 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 Catherine Housecroft and Professor Ed Constable.

Our authors at a glance:

Professor Catherine Housecroft and Professor Ed Constable are a married chemical partnership. They are based at the University of Basel’s Department of Chemistry, where their joint research interests include coordination chemistry and supramolecular chemistry, in addition to sustainable and materials chemistry.  They choose to publish in Dalton Transactions as the journal provides “strong support to authors, rigorous and fair refereeing, and rapid production from acceptance to print”, and has evolved and developed throughout their scientific careers, to reflect their interests and activities.

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

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) represent an alternative technology and device architecture to the well-established OLED lighting devices. The architecture of a LEC is substantially less complex than an OLED allowing the construction of more robust devices under less demanding fabrication conditions. Inorganic complexes are widely used as emitters in both LECs and OLEDs, with the most effective utilizing the rare and expensive element iridium. We are developing emissive heteroleptic copper(I) complexes for incorporation into the emissive layers of LEC devices to substitute for the non-sustainable iridium species.

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

A significant expansion of research is not an option beyond the next two years, when we reach retirement age. Nevertheless, until that point we will continue to improve the performance of materials to be used in the establishment and optimization of sustainable technologies. After that, we will continue with our contributions to the Swiss and European chemistry communities, both in terms of educational and research contributions and in involvement with national and international efforts relating to scientific coordination, editorial coordination and scientific integrity.

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

Getting older!

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?

Probably the most interesting are:

4,2′:6′,4”-Terpyridines: diverging and diverse building blocks in coordination polymers and metallomacrocycles and Synthesis and coordination behaviour of 6,6’-bis(2-pyridyl)-2,2’:4’,4’’:2’’,2’’’-quaterpyridine – back-to-back 2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine.

These two papers represent the beginning and a recent overview of our journey with terpyridine ligands from “simple” mononucleating species to core components in coordination networks.

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

The Frontier and Perspective articles collection published in 2020, contains some inspiring articles. It is hard to choose a single contribution from these Frontiers and Perspectives articles, but one that stands out is – Recent advances in iron-complexes as drug candidates for cancer therapy: reactivity, mechanism of action and metabolites Mathilde Bouché, Cécilia Hognon, Stéphanie Grandemange, Antonio Monari and Philippe C. Gros

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

It would be too easy to make a trite response here. But we resist this temptation. We make three observations. Firstly, read the literature – but not too carefully. If you read everything about a topic, you rapidly come to the conclusion that there is either nothing left to do or, even worse, that you are unworthy to make a contribution. Secondly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes or instigate projects that fail. Some of our best and most interesting results came from failed experiments or misguided hypotheses. Finally, we simply quote Arthur C. Clarke, “If an elderly but distinguished scientist says that something is possible, he is almost certainly right; but if he says that it is impossible, he is very probably wrong.”

What does Dalton Transactions mean to you?

On the one hand, this journal has evolved and developed throughout our scientific careers and reflects our interests and activities. Although we have not been active for the entire 50 years, we are certainly aware of the content and the changes in editorial style and scientific management over this period. The other great importance that Dalton Transactions holds for us is a link with the history of our discipline – John Dalton, together with Antoine Lavoisier and Dmitry Mendeleev, transformed inorganic chemistry and provided the intellectual basis for its modern all-encompassing success.

Why do you choose to publish in Dalton Transactions?

Dalton Transactions has always been a journal of choice for us in the fields of core and applied coordination chemistry as well as metallosupramolecular chemistry – its long standing tradition of publishing high quality research is critical to us in reaching the correct audience. Now, the Read and Publish scheme for hybrid journals is a valuable means of fulfilling our national funding agency’s requirement for Open Access publishing.

What is your experience of publishing with Dalton Transactions?

Throughout our independent research careers, Dalton Transactions has provided strong support to authors, rigorous and fair refereeing, and rapid production from acceptance to print. The changes that have occurred in the transmogrification of J. Chem. Soc. A through J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. to the current Dalton Transactions reflect both the best aspects of contemporary publishing and the recognition that “the new” may not always be “the best”. The journal has always managed to keep a balance between the contemporary and the flashy! The approachability of the editorial staff (yes they really are human) is one of the great pleasures of publishing with the RSC. Anecdotes of publishing in Dalton abound, but we have memories from the late eighties of the heated discussions about “the f-word” (sulfur not sulphur) and also recall the time when Dalton employed an in-house nomenclature expert who would correct your compounds to some version of IUPACese. Our recollections are that these were not always consistent, very rarely met with the approval of the community and rolled over and died when confronted with transition metal clusters.

You can check out Catherine and Ed’s most recent Dalton Transactions article on phosphane tuning in heteroleptic [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ complexes below.

Phosphane tuning in heteroleptic [Cu(N^N)(P^P)]+ complexes for light-emitting electrochemical cells

Brunner, A. Babaei, A. Pertegás, J. M. Junquera-Hernández, A. Prescimone, E. C. Constable, H. J. Bolink, M. Sessolo, E. Ortí and C. E. Housecroft,

Dalton Trans., 2019, 48, 446-460

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. Euan Brechin 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 Euan Brechin.

Our author at a glance:

Professor Euan Brechin is based at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry, where his research is centered upon synthetic coordination chemistry and molecular magnetism. He chooses to publish in Dalton Transactions as he finds the journal showcases “the best contemporary general and inorganic chemistry from around the world”, and covers a diverse range of research across all areas of inorganic chemistry; from which he draws inspiration.

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

Our most recent work has focused on understanding, experimentally and theoretically, the magneto-structural relationships in a variety of 3d coordination compounds made with both flexible and rigid organic ligands.

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

Current projects include constructing molecular iron oxides conforming to Platonic/Archimedean solids and/or mineral phases, exploiting host-guest chemistry to manipulate magnetic properties in 0-3D materials, and using supramolecular chemistry to build molecules for quantum information processing.

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

Lack of time to think, compounded by my inefficient use of that time and my stupidity. Sometimes the wheels turn slowly, and my moments of inspiration are fleeting. Beer helps, as does just sitting down and talking to people. Let’s hope we can get back to both soon. In terms of UK research in general, it’s funding and the way we fund. Other countries do it much better. We should be funding curiosity driven science based solely on quality, regardless of the individual, institution, field or cost. If governments and administrators have even a brief look through the history of science they will realise this is how major breakthroughs occur and long standing impact is created. We should not be pouring money down administratively driven, fashionable rabbit holes. Investment in infrastructure and diversity in science is as important as it is in every other walk of life.

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?

I’ve no idea! I always think my most interesting paper is the next one.

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

Tough, and unfair, to pick just one. The great thing about Dalton Transactions is the diversity of science it covers and the ideas I pick up from reading papers in seemingly unrelated fields. Finding the time to read journals is an increasingly difficult thing these days, but when I do it’s always fun and it always inspires me to try something new.

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

Do the science you really want to do, the science that really excites you regardless of how niche you, or anybody else, may think it is. I think everyone does their best work when they love what they are doing. Papers and funding will follow. Stay positive, and don’t get disheartened when you get rejections. It happens to all of us all the time. The one in a hundred acceptance letter makes you forget the rejections.

What does Dalton Transactions mean to you?

As a UK scientist, RSC journals are always my first choice for publishing. Perhaps that’s a little sentimental but I think there should be a strong connection/bond between a national society and its scientists. That sense of community is undervalued, but I think it’s important and I hope it’s never lost.

Why do you choose to publish in Dalton Transactions?

I really like the journal and the breadth of science it contains, and I love being able to publish my science in a journal showcasing the best contemporary general and inorganic chemistry from around the world.

What is your experience of publishing with Dalton Transactions?

Almost always great, with a wee hiccup here and there (on both sides) – but that’s to be expected after 20 years of being an academic. The staff have always been professional. They have also been really friendly, personable and good fun. I shouldn’t name-drop, but Helen Lunn has been exceptionally helpful (and patient) over many years.

You can check out Euan’s most recent Dalton Transactions article on the structural manipulation of a series of Ni₄ defective dicubanes below.

The structural manipulation of a series of Ni4 defective dicubanes: Synthesis, X-ray Structures, Magnetic and Computational analyses

Sidney S. Woodhouse, Tyson N. Dais, Emily H. Payne, Mukesh K. Singh, Euan K. Brechin and Paul G. Plieger*

Dalton Trans., 2021, 50, 5318-5326

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.