Position open at NJC

The Montpellier (France) editorial office is looking for a Deputy Managing Editor.

The NJC editorial office in Montpellier (France) expects to have an opening Summer 2011 for a Deputy Managing Editor. The Deputy Managing Editor will work in collaboration with the Managing Editor on the evaluation of manuscripts, commissioning of content, and promotion of the journal.

For more details, please see one of the following:

Association Bernard Gregory

EURAXESS

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Molecular Materials Themed Issue (NJC-June 2011)

NJC’s latest themed issue, on Molecular Materials, is now published as the June 2011 issue.

NJC is delighted to present this month’s themed issue on Molecular Materials (MOLMAT2010), guest-edited by Prof. Joulia Larionova and Dr. Yannick Guari.

This themed issue of NJC, arising from the 4th edition of the MOLMAT Conference held in Montpellier (France) during July 2010, reflects the variety of approaches and methods used for the synthesis, studies of properties, modeling and processing of smart molecular materials.

The twenty-four articles in this issue, including 2 Perspective reviews, 5 Letters and 17 full Papers, provide broad coverage of various aspects of systems relevant to Molecular Materials.

The Perspective review by Luis Carlos and colleagues on lanthanide-based luminescent molecular thermometers illustrates the outside front cover.
Lanthanide-based luminescent molecular thermometers, Carlos D. S. Brites, Patricia P. Lima, Nuno J. O. Silva, Angel Millán, Vitor S. Amaral, Fernando Palacio and Luís D. Carlos, New J. Chem., 2011, 35, 1177-1183; DOI: 10.1039/C0NJ01010C, Perspective

A second Perspective by Jean-Claude Bünzli reviews the use of rare earths for functional materials.
Rare earths: jewels for functional materials of the future, Svetlana V. Eliseeva and Jean-Claude G. Bünzli, New J. Chem., 2011, 35, 1165-1176; DOI: 10.1039/C0NJ00969E, Perspective

The inside front cover features the research of Juan Olguín and Sally Brooker on 3- and 5-formyl-4-phenyl-1H-pyrazoles for the generation of asymmetric imine ligands and mixed metal polynuclear complexes.
Synthesis of 3- and 5-formyl-4-phenyl-1H-pyrazoles: promising head units for the generation of asymmetric imine ligands and mixed metal polynuclear complexes, Juan Olguín and Sally Brooker, New J. Chem., 2011, 35, 1242-1253; DOI: 10.1039/C0NJ00774A, Paper

Take your pick amongst the several growing research fields making use of molecular materials that are part of this themed issue.

Profiles of 5 of this month’s authors will be posted shortly, so keep an eye out for these.

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Zinc complexes as antimicrobial wound dressings

Scientists in the UK have made metal-containing thin films that can be incorporated into wound dressings or on surfaces to kill microbes and bacteria in hospitals.

Andrew Johnson, at the University of Bath, and colleagues created the antimicrobial films from zinc and copper Schiff-base complexes incorporating ligands made by reacting aldehydes with primary amines, which they then deposited onto polypropylene fabric commonly used in nappies and bandages.

The team found that the copper and zinc complexes were good at killing microbes, and when tested against Staphylococcus aureus (which, amongst other things, causes impetigo – a bacterial skin infection – and toxic shock syndrome) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (causes inflammation and sepsis), they were found to be highly effective, limiting bacterial growth for up to 16 hours. Techniques to reduce the prevalence of these particular bacteria are needed as they are known for their antibiotic resistance.

The zinc complex was found to be particularly successful, but the reason for this is not yet known. Johnson and his team speculate that it may be due to the toxicity of the Zn2+ ion and at higher levels may be due to transmetallation, in which the complex exchanges zinc for other vital metals in bacterial cells.

Antimicrobial zinc-based Schiff complexes could be deposited onto polypropylene fabric commonly used in nappies

Silver is a commonly used antimicrobial metal, but it is expensive so Johnson has spotted an advantage for his zinc and copper-based materials: ‘As only a small amount of the zinc monomer is required to deposit the films, it should be easy to scale up for industry and, most importantly, it will be cheap.’ Another advantage is that the ‘coatings are a post production treatment, so from a commercial perspective, we are not changing the manufacturing process for commodity bulk items such as bandages,’ he adds.

Ivan Parkin, an expert in antimicrobial coatings from University College London, UK, comments that: ‘The ability to inhibit bacterial growth on surfaces is very important.’ He adds that the work provides an indication of a new possible route to achieving this goal. However, he says: ‘It should be noted that on the treated sample, bacterial growth to the level of 106 was still seen, so complete kill has not been achieved.’

Johnson’s team now hopes to improve their films to apply them to medical devices such as catheters, wound dressings and personal care items. In particular, they are working with the paediatrics burns unit for the south-west of England at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, to further develop their materials into advanced wound dressings for burn victims.

Holly Sheahan

  • Interested? Why not read the full article now:
  • Plasma deposited metal Schiff-base compounds as antimicrobials
    Neil Poulter, Matthew Donaldson, Geraldine Mulley, Luis Duque, Nicholas Waterfield, Alex G. Shard, Steve Spencer, A. Tobias A. Jenkins and Andrew L. Johnson, New J. Chem., 2011
    DOI: 10.1039/c1nj20091g

  • This NJC article is part of this month’s news on Chemistry World. Access the magazine and keep up-to-date with the world of chemistry!
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    Novel rotaxane receptor for selective anion recognition

    Scientists in the UK have designed a novel meta-xylenediamide macrocycle containing rotaxane anion host.

    Following on their pioneering work in the area, the team led by Paul Beer at Oxford University demonstrates a unique guest binding effect in which the interlocked host is able to bind chloride and bromide anions selectively, vs. more basic oxoanions such as dihydrogen phosphate and acetate. Their research highlights how only the monoatomic halides are able to enter the rotaxane cavity, while the larger oxoanions bind to the periphery.

    Researchers in a number of ‘supramolecular fields’, such as host-guest chemistry, anion binding, self-assembly, or molecular machines, will be interested in this high-impact chemistry.

    Why not take a look at it now! Highly rated by the reviewers and the editorial office alike, this ‘Hot Article’ will be FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks.

    A meta-xylenediamide macrocycle containing rotaxane anion host system constructed by a new synthetic clipping methodology, Nicholas H. Evans, Christopher J. Serpell and Paul D. Beer
    New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article
    DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20109C

    This article will also be part of the themed issue of NJC honouring the life and work of Prof. Didier Astruc, on the occasion of his 65th birthday – Coming out this Autumn.

  • Don’t miss this high-profile issue – sign up to the journal e-alert now!

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  • Hot Article: multirotaxanes molecular shuttles

    While a relatively large number of [2]-rotaxanes, in which a ring is threaded by an axle, have been reported in the literature, [3]-rotaxanes (where two macrocyclic rings are able to move along the axis on which they are threaded in a controlled fashion) and [4]-rotaxanes (where 3 macrocycles are threaded on the axle) still prove a real synthetic challenge.

    In this NJC Letter, the group of J.-P. Sauvage (Strasbourg, France) provide insights on the successful preparation of multirotaxanes, and synthesize a [2]-, a [3]- and a [4]-rotaxane in the same reaction.


    …Interested?

  • Find out how, and read on the synthetic route envisioned by this leading group by accessing the full article now!

  • Article FREE to access until 20th June.

    Synthesis of [2]-, [3]-, and [4]rotaxanes whose axis contains two bidentate and two tridentate chelates, Jean-Paul Collin, Stéphanie Durot, Jean-Pierre Sauvage and Yann Trolez
    New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article
    DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20213H

    This article will be part of the themed issue of NJC honouring the life and work of Prof. Didier Astruc, on the occasion of his 65th birthday – Coming soon.

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  • Ureidocytosine modules for bis-functionalised polymeric assemblies

    In this NJC ‘Hot Article’, Prof. Helen Hailes and co-workers at University College London, UK, highlight the synthesis and self-assembly of a novel two donors (D) and two acceptors (A) (DDAA) quadruple-hydrogen bonded dimer. The newly disclosed system uses a ureidocytosine module, the advantage being that it can readily be functionalised at N-1 and N-9, enabling the introduction of alternative moieties such as polymers or fluorescent groups at different positions in the arrays.

  • Researchers in synthetic, supramolecular, materials chemistry … this article will be of interest to you!
    Why not read more and access the full text now, FREE to download until June 20th 2011.


    Quadruple hydrogen bonded cytosine modules: N-1 functionalised arrays, Valerie G. H. Lafitte, Abil E. Aliev, Elisabetta Greco, Kason Bala, Peter Golding and Helen C. Hailes
    New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article
    DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20162J

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  • Hot Article – Anion recognition: a new cleft for ATP sensing

    Selective sensing of phosphates derivatives, including nucleotides and inorganic phosphates, is high on the targets list due to their pivotal role in biological systems. In this NJC paper, Kumaresh Ghosh et al. (University of Kalyani, India) have designed a simple pincer-like receptor that selectively recognises tetra- butylammonium dihydrogenphosphate in CH3CN over a series of other anions by exhibiting characteristic excimer emission in fluorescence. Also the simple receptor 1 fluoro- metrically distinguishes ATP from ADP and AMP in aqueous CH3CN.



    Interested? Why not read this ‘Hot Article’ now!
    It is FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks, upon a simple registration process.

    A new ortho-phenylenediamine-based cleft for selective sensing of H2PO4− and ATP, Kumaresh Ghosh and Indrajit Saha
    New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article
    DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20116F

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    NJC board welcomes vanadium chemistry expert

    Professor Debbie Crans of Colorado State University, internationally recognized expert on vanadium biochemistry, is appointed to NJC’s Editorial Board.

    We are pleased to announce the recent appointment of Debbie Crans, Professor of Chemistry at Colorado State University, to the Editorial Board of NJC. Professor Crans’ research, published in ~150 refereed papers, focuses on transition metal ions (especially vanadium) and is driven by applications in medicine as well as understanding their toxicity.

    Prof. Crans’ reaction to her nomination was that it would allow her to make a difference in new ways, indirectly referring to her 10+ year stint as Program Chair of the Inorganic Division of ACS.

    Debbie began her studies at the University of Copenhagen, before undertaking her Ph.D. research in enzyme-catalyzed organic synthesis at Harvard in the group of Prof. George Whitesides. She then moved further west to UCLA for a postdoctoral project in mechanistic enzymology with Orville Chapman and Paul Boyer. In 1987, Debbie joined the faculty of Colorado State University, from which she received the Best Teacher Award for 2010–2011.

    This is the latest in many distinctions that Debbie has been honored with, including an Alexander von Humboldt Senior Research Award and a Fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. In 2004 Debbie was the first laureate of the Vanadis Award, recognizing her contributions to vanadium science.

    NJC’s staff and Boards extend a warm welcome to Prof. Crans as we look forward to a fruitful collaboration.

    Find out who else is on NJC‘s Editorial Board!

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    Efficient synthesis of tricarbonyl-manganese complexes for the design of planar chiral ligands

    Continuing on their pioneering studies, the Roses and co-workers show in this NJC Letter how phosphino and thienyl substituents are incorporated to (cyclohexadienyl)Mn(CO)3 systems, ultimately forming arenes or chiral cyclohexenones.
    ‘The new eta-5 complexes are particularly attractive, knowing that planar chiral ligands based on tricarbonyl-metal complexes are beginning to play important roles in enantioselective catalysis, with a “spectator” metal distinct from the catalytically active metal’, says Francoise Rose-Munch

    So far, most of the previous examples relied on a planar chiral (η6-arene)Cr(CO)3 scaffold and more scarcely on (η5-Cp)Mn(CO)3. The latter compounds containing a cyclopentadienyl platform are the only tricarbonylmanganese complexes used as catalysts and up to now, complexes such as (η5-cyclohexadienyl)Mn(CO)3 had never been employed for the design of planar chiral ligands.

    This NJC letter has been selected as a ‘Hot’, and will be of interest to organometallic chemists and the synthetic organic community alike, in the search of new routes to chiral systems.

    • Interested? Why not take a look at this NJC Letter and read the article now, FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks!
    • This article will be included in the NJC special issue in the Honour of Didier Astruc, on the occasion of his 65th birthday – Coming soon.

    Phosphino-substituted (η5-cyclohexadienyl)tricarbonylmanganese complexes: synthesis and structure
    Françoise Rose-Munch, Derya Cetiner, Murielle Chavarot-Kerlidou and Eric Rose
    New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article
    DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20152B, Letter

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    Pt and Pd dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles prepared by galvanic exchange

    Crooks and co-workers (University of Texas, USA) report the synthesis and characterization of Pt and Pd dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) using the method of galvanic exchange. In the presence of either PtCl42− or PdCl42−, the less noble Cu DENs oxidize to Cu2+ leaving behind an equal-sized DEN of Pt or Pd, respectively. This methodology is shown to be much faster and giving higher yields than using the common synthetic route i.e. direct reduction with BH4.Equally important, the detailed characterization presented demonstrates that the structure and composition of Pt and Pd DENs synthesized by direct BH4 reduction and galvanic exchange are indistinguishable.



    Interested to know more? Why not download and read the article today! It’s recently been published in NJC and will be FREE to access for a period of 4 weeks.

    Synthesis, characterization, and electrocatalysis using Pt and Pd dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles prepared by galvanic exchange
    Surojit Pande, Michael G. Weir, Brian A. Zaccheo and Richard M. Crooks
    New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20083F, Paper.

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