Inorganic chemistry articles within Nature Communications

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• Article
  09 August 2022 | Open Access

  Nested order-disorder framework containing a crystalline matrix with self-filled amorphous-like innards

  The synthesis and characterization of new crystalline-amorphous hybrid materials is challenging. Here, the authors report the preparation of a nested order-disorder framework by applying high pressure to a nested copper chalcogenide Cu₁₂Sb₄S₁₃.

  • Kejun Bu
  • , Qingyang Hu
  •  & Xujie Lü

• Article
  09 August 2022 | Open Access

  Pro-oxidant response and accelerated ferroptosis caused by synergetic Au(I) release in hypercarbon-centered gold(I) cluster prodrugs

  Several strategies have been developed in recent years for therapeutic induction of ferroptosis in cancer. Here the authors report the design of two hypercarbon-centered gold(I) cluster prodrugs that induce ferroptosis of cancer cells, showing anti-tumor activity in preclinical bladder cancer models.

  • Kui Xiao
  • , Niyuan Zhang
  •  & Liang Zhao

• Article
  06 August 2022 | Open Access

  Bromo- and iodo-bridged building units in metal-organic frameworks for enhanced carrier transport and CO₂ photoreduction by water vapor

  Organolead halide hybrids are promising materials but are often unstable under moisture and/or light irradiation. Here, metal-organic frameworks containing lead halide secondary building units are shown to be stable for photocatalytic CO₂ reduction with water vapor.

  • Xinfeng Chen
  • , Chengdong Peng
  •  & Honghan Fei

• Article
  05 August 2022 | Open Access

  Large breathing effect in ZIF-65(Zn) with expansion and contraction of the SOD cage

  Flexible metal-organic frameworks have potential applications in the development of sensors and switching materials. Here, the authors report a large breathing effect in a zeolitic imidazolate framework upon guest adsorption.

  • Meizhen Gao
  • , Rui-Kang Huang
  •  & Jinxiang Dong

• Article
  02 August 2022 | Open Access

  Fundamental investigations on the sodium-ion transport properties of mixed polyanion solid-state battery electrolytes

  Battery solid-state electrolytes rely on mixed polyanion networks to attain high ionic conductivities. Here, the authors investigate the effect of polyanion mixing on the solid-state electrolyte ion conductivity via theoretical calculations and electrochemical measurements.

  • Zeyu Deng
  • , Tara P. Mishra
  •  & Pieremanuele Canepa

• Article
  14 July 2022 | Open Access

  Development of vanadium-based polyanion positive electrode active materials for high-voltage sodium-based batteries

  The development of high-capacity and high-voltage electrode materials can boost the performance of sodium-based batteries. Here, the authors report the synthesis of a polyanion positive electrode active material that enables high-capacity and high-voltage sodium battery performance.

  • Semyon D. Shraer
  • , Nikita D. Luchinin
  •  & Stanislav S. Fedotov

• Article
  12 July 2022 | Open Access

  Exploration of glassy state in Prussian blue analogues

  Developments in Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have centred solely on their crystalline state. Here, the authors describe the preparation of the glassy state of PBAs via a mechanically induced crystal-to-glass transformation and explore their properties.

  • Nattapol Ma
  • , Ryo Ohtani
  •  & Satoshi Horike

• Article
  07 July 2022 | Open Access

  Contrasting behaviour under pressure reveals the reasons for pyramidalization in tris(amido)uranium(III) and tris(arylthiolate) uranium(III) molecules

  The reasons for which many low-coordinate complexes exhibit bent geometry, rather than a higher symmetry, are still under debate. Here, the authors use high-pressure crystallography to examine whether low-coordinate f-block molecules become more planar or pyramidal under pressure; which happens is dictated by the dipole moment of the complex and the volume of the planar form.

  • Amy N. Price
  • , Victoria Berryman
  •  & Polly L. Arnold

• Article
  04 July 2022 | Open Access

  3D and 2D aromatic units behave like oil and water in the case of benzocarborane derivatives

  2D/2D fusion of aromatic halves leading to a global aromatic is found in many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, whereas 2D/3D aromaticity is difficult to achieve. Here the authors report a computational chemistry investigation showing that 3D/2D aromatic combination is not possible.

  • Jordi Poater
  • , Clara Viñas
  •  & Francesc Teixidor

• Article
  01 July 2022 | Open Access

  Photochemical Synthesis of Transition Metal-Stabilized Uranium(VI) Nitride Complexes

  The synthesis and isolation of uranium(VI) nitride complexes remains challenging. Here, the authors report an example of transition metal (TM) stabilized U(VI) nitride complexes, generated via photolysis of azide-bridged U(IV)-TM precursors.

  • Xiaoqing Xin
  • , Iskander Douair
  •  & Congqing Zhu

• Article
  15 June 2022 | Open Access

  Deciphering the phase transition-induced ultrahigh piezoresponse in (K,Na)NbO₃-based piezoceramics

  Functional oxides with coexisting states of comparable energy typically exhibit extraordinary responses to external stimuli. Here, the authors demonstrate that coexisting phase structures provide large electric field-triggered volume change.

  • Mao-Hua Zhang
  • , Chen Shen
  •  & Manuel Hinterstein

• Article
  09 June 2022 | Open Access

  Teaming up main group metals with metallic iron to boost hydrogenation catalysis

  Elemental iron turns alkaline-earth metal complexes into highly active catalysts for the hydrogenation of alkenes, alkynes, imines and arenes. The proposed mechanism combines homogeneous catalysis by a soluble main group metal hydride complex with heterogeneous catalysis at the iron surface.

  • Christian Färber
  • , Philipp Stegner
  •  & Sjoerd Harder

• Article
  08 June 2022 | Open Access

  Paramagnetic encoding of molecules

  Molecules offer enormous capacity for information storage. Here, the authors show that information can be encoded into molecules with sequences of paramagnetic lanthanide ions, and decoded using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

  • Jan Kretschmer
  • , Tomáš David
  •  & Miloslav Polasek

• Article
  24 May 2022 | Open Access

  Phase-transition tailored nanoporous zinc metal electrodes for rechargeable alkaline zinc-nickel oxide hydroxide and zinc-air batteries

  Secondary alkaline Zn-based batteries are limited in terms of cycle life. Here, the authors report a nanoporous Zn electrode that stabilizes the electrochemical transition between Zn and ZnO and improves the cycling performance of rechargeable alkaline zinc-based batteries.

  • Liangyu Li
  • , Yung Chak Anson Tsang
  •  & Qing Chen

• Article
  23 May 2022 | Open Access

  Controllable multiple-step configuration transformations in a thermal/photoinduced reaction

  Solid-state photochemical reactions of olefinic compounds provide access to organic cyclic molecules with specific configurations but the precise control of the stereochemistry in these reactions remains challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate control of the regiospecific configurations of C=C groups and the intermediates by varying temperatures in multi-step thermal and photoinduced ring opening and closing reactions using a single-crystal coordination polymer platform.

  • Meng-Fan Wang
  • , Yan Mi
  •  & Jian-Ping Lang

• Article
  23 May 2022 | Open Access

  Kinetically restrained oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide with nearly 100% selectivity

  The electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction has been investigated in recent years for the production of H₂O₂ from O₂. In this article, the authors report a single-atom rhodium catalyst, based on the Flavin-dependent oxidase, for this transformation.

  • Jinxing Chen
  • , Qian Ma
  •  & Shaojun Dong

• Article
  20 May 2022 | Open Access

  Entropy and crystal-facet modulation of P2-type layered cathodes for long-lasting sodium-based batteries

  The use of Mn-rich layered cathodes in Na-based batteries is hindered by inadequate cycling reversibility and sluggish anionic redox kinetics. Here, the authors report a strategy to stabilize the structure and promote anionic redox via configurational entropy and ion-diffusion structural tuning.

  • Fang Fu
  • , Xiang Liu
  •  & Gui-Liang Xu

• Article
  12 May 2022 | Open Access

  Achieving large thermal hysteresis in an anthracene-based manganese(II) complex via photo-induced electron transfer

  Achieving magnetic bistability with large thermal hysteresis is still a challenge in material science. Here, the authors report a Mn(II) chain complex that enables light-induced magnetic bistability with a 177 K thermal hysteresis loop.

  • Ji-Xiang Hu
  • , Qi Li
  •  & Guo-Ming Wang

• Article
  28 April 2022 | Open Access

  Enabling high energy lithium metal batteries via single-crystal Ni-rich cathode material co-doping strategy

  Li-ion cathode active materials are transitioning from poly- to single-crystal structures. However, the performance of high Ni-content single-crystal cathodes remains below expectations. Here, via Al/Zr co-doping, the authors propose a strategy to mitigate structural degradation in this class of materials.

  • Xing Ou
  • , Tongchao Liu
  •  & Jun Lu

• Article
  26 April 2022 | Open Access

  An osmium-peroxo complex for photoactive therapy of hypoxic tumors

  Photodynamic therapy has been a promising technique for the treatment of tumours. In this manuscript, the authors report on the photoactivation of the osmium peroxo complex and its potential use for chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy under blue light irradiation against tumours in their hypoxic environment.

  • Nong Lu
  • , Zhihong Deng
  •  & Pingyu Zhang

• Article
  20 April 2022 | Open Access

  Symmetry collapse due to the presence of multiple local aromaticity in Ge₂₄⁴⁻

  Gaining insight on the structural transformations from atomic clusters to bulk materials is challenging. Here the authors synthesize a continuous cluster of germanium Ge₂₄⁴⁻, which can be viewed as two terminal Ge₉ units bridged via a Ge₆ central fragment, and characterize it by several techniques including X-ray diffraction; theoretical analysis indicates the presence of three aligned independent aromatic fragments.

  • Hong-Lei Xu
  • , Nikolay V. Tkachenko
  •  & Zhong-Ming Sun

• Article
  13 April 2022 | Open Access

  Structure of the active pharmaceutical ingredient bismuth subsalicylate

  Pepto-Bismol has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders for over a century, yet the structure of its active ingredient is still under debate. Here, the authors apply electron crystallography to unveil the structure of bismuth subsalicylate.

  • Erik Svensson Grape
  • , Victoria Rooth
  •  & A. Ken Inge

• Article
  11 April 2022 | Open Access

  Modifying electron injection kinetics for selective photoreduction of nitroarenes into cyclic and asymmetric azo compounds

  Modifying the reactivity of substrates by encapsulation is essential for microenvironment catalysts. Herein, the authors report an alternative strategy that modifies the entry behaviour of reactants and substrates to control the electron injection kinetics, thus affecting the selectivity of nitroarene photoreductions.

  • Yang Yang
  • , Xu Jing
  •  & Chunying Duan

• Article
  07 April 2022 | Open Access

  Promoting favorable interfacial properties in lithium-based batteries using chlorine-rich sulfide inorganic solid-state electrolytes

  The interfacial stability of lithium metal is a crucial aspect for all-solid-state battery development. Here, authors report argyrodite solid electrolytes containing LiCl framework, where the Cl ions construct a LiCl-rich interphase capable of improving battery performances.

  • Dewu Zeng
  • , Jingming Yao
  •  & Lin Wang

• Article
  04 April 2022 | Open Access

  Nuclearity enlargement from [PW₉O₃₄@Ag₅₁] to [(PW₉O₃₄)₂@Ag₇₂] and 2D and 3D network formation driven by bipyridines

  Controlling the structural transformations of metal clusters is challenging. Here, the authors synthesize a silver nanocluster and study the structural changes that take place upon reaction with bipyridine derivatives.

  • Zhi Wang
  • , Yan-Jie Zhu
  •  & Di Sun

• Article
  04 April 2022 | Open Access

  Structure and reactivity of germylene-bridged digold complexes

  The number of metal complexes featuring gold-germanium bonds is limited. Here the authors report the preparation of germylene-bridged digold complexes complexes and study their structure, bonding, and reactivity.

  • Liliang Wang
  • , Guorong Zhen
  •  & Zhifang Li

• Article
  23 March 2022 | Open Access

  Epitaxial growth of an atom-thin layer on a LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode for stable Li-ion battery cycling

  Transition metal dissolution from cathode materials limits the cycle life of Li-ion batteries. Here, the authors report an atomic-thin protecting layer on the surface of a high-voltage cathode material, enabling long-term Li-ion battery cycling.

  • Xiaobo Zhu
  • , Tobias U. Schülli
  •  & Lianzhou Wang

• Article
  18 March 2022 | Open Access

  Electrostatically cooperative host-in-host of metal cluster ⊂ ionic organic cages in nanopores for enhanced catalysis

  The encapsulation of catalysts within hosts is a strategy to tune their reactivity. Here, the authors encapsulate a gold cluster within a porous cage and study its reactivity.

  • Liangxiao Tan
  • , Jun-Hao Zhou
  •  & Jiayin Yuan

• Article
  18 March 2022 | Open Access

  Topotactic fluorination of intermetallics as an efficient route towards quantum materials

  Insertion of light elements in intermetallics has been explored to synthesize functional materials. Here the authors report topotactic intercalation of fluorine atoms into intermetallics using a perfluorocarbon reactant with covalent C-F bonds to obtain quantum materials.

  • Jean-Baptiste Vaney
  • , Baptiste Vignolle
  •  & Sophie Tencé

• Article
  16 March 2022 | Open Access

  Generation of a μ-1,2-hydroperoxo Fe^IIIFe^III and a μ-1,2-peroxo Fe^IVFe^III Complex

  Iron coordination complexes can be used to gain insight on biologically relevant iron-oxygen compounds generated in iron metalloenzymes. Here, the authors characterise a μ-1,2-hydroperoxo Fe^IIIFe^III and a μ-1,2-peroxo Fe^IVFe^III, and study their reactivity in C-H activation.

  • Stephan Walleck
  • , Thomas Philipp Zimmermann
  •  & Thorsten Glaser

• Article
  14 March 2022 | Open Access

  Deciphering the mechanism of the Ni-photocatalyzed C‒O cross-coupling reaction using a tridentate pyridinophane ligand

  Mechanistic knowledge of photocatalytic nickel reactions is lacking, particularly with regards to the identities and oxidation states of key intermediates. Here the authors report a class of tridentate ligands that enables in-depth study of a representative cross-coupling reaction, wherein evidence for multiple intermediates in a Ni(I/III) cycle is presented.

  • Hanah Na
  •  & Liviu M. Mirica

• Article
  09 March 2022 | Open Access

  Atomic structure of a seed-sized gold nanoprism

  The formation pathway of shape-anisotropic nanoparticles is difficult to characterize and not well understood. The authors synthesize a prismatic-shaped Au₅₆ nanocluster as possible seed of a prismatic nanoparticle and characterize the structure and ligand bonding motifs, providing insight into the formation and surface protection mechanisms.

  • Yongbo Song
  • , Yingwei Li
  •  & Rongchao Jin

• Article
  04 March 2022 | Open Access

  Small symmetry-breaking triggering large chiroptical responses of Ag₇₀ nanoclusters

  Having control over the chirality of metal nanoclusters is challenging. Here, the authors report the deracemization of silver nanoclusters and monitor the chiroptical responses.

  • Xi-Ming Luo
  • , Chun-Hua Gong
  •  & Thomas C. W. Mak

• Article
  24 February 2022 | Open Access

  Spatial distribution modulation of mixed building blocks in metal-organic frameworks

  Gaining control over the structure of metal organic–frameworks can be challenging. Here the authors report the modulation of the spatial distribution of mixed building blocks in a metal–organic framework from a uniform to a core–shell distribution; temperature control plays a crucial role.

  • Seok Jeong
  • , Junmo Seong
  •  & Myoung Soo Lah

• Article
  03 February 2022 | Open Access

  Highly selective cesium(I) capture under acidic conditions by a layered sulfide

  The removal of radiocesium from acidic solutions is challenging. Here, the authors report the rapid and highly selective capture of cesium(I) from strongly acidic solutions by a robust layered metal sulfide.

  • Jun-Hao Tang
  • , Jian-Ce Jin
  •  & Xiao-Ying Huang

• Article
  24 January 2022 | Open Access

  Accessing the main-group metal formyl scaffold through CO-activation in beryllium hydride complexes

  Stoichiometric carbon monoxide insertion processes leading to metal-formyl complexes are scarce, even for transition metals. Here, light is shed on the underexplored chemistry of beryllium hydrides leading to a stable example of a main group metal-formyl complex.

  • Terrance J. Hadlington
  •  & Tibor Szilvási

• Article
  20 January 2022 | Open Access

  Formation of twelve-fold iodine coordination at high pressure

  High pressure can modify the chemical properties of the elements, giving rise to exotic bonding. Here the authors report the prediction of a nitrogen-rich iodine nitride compound IN₆ where the iodine atom has an unusual twelve-fold coordination, stable above 100 GPa.

  • Yan Liu
  • , Rui Wang
  •  & Tian Cui

• Article
  11 January 2022 | Open Access

  Fine pore engineering in a series of isoreticular metal-organic frameworks for efficient C₂H₂/CO₂ separation

  The separation of acetylene and carbon dioxide by porous materials requires delicate control over the pore size. Herein, the authors fine-tune the pore size at sub-nanometer scale in a series of isoreticular metal-organic frameworks to control the acetylene/carbon dioxide separation performance; subtle structural differences lead to remarkable performance enhancement.

  • Jun Wang
  • , Yan Zhang
  •  & Banglin Chen

• Article
  11 January 2022 | Open Access

  Phase controlled synthesis of transition metal carbide nanocrystals by ultrafast flash Joule heating

  Nanoscale carbides provide access to ultra-strong ceramics and show activity as high-performance catalysts. Here, the authors report a flash Joule heating process for the ultrafast, general synthesis of various transition metal carbides nanocrystals with phase controllability.

  • Bing Deng
  • , Zhe Wang
  •  & James M. Tour

• Article
  11 January 2022 | Open Access

  Cyclopentadienyl coordination induces unexpected ionic Am−N bonding in an americium bipyridyl complex

  The coordination environment has a great impact on the electronic structure, bonding and properties of metal complexes. Here the authors report a dinuclear organometallic americium complex that displays unexpectedly ionic Am−N bonding, but enhanced covalency in the Am−C bonds compared to its neodymium analogue.

  • Brian N. Long
  • , María J. Beltrán-Leiva
  •  & Thomas E. Albrecht-Schönzart

• Article
  10 January 2022 | Open Access

  Photocontrolled multiple-state photochromic benzo[b]phosphole thieno[3,2-b]phosphole-containing alkynylgold(I) complex via selective light irradiation

  Photoresponsive compounds have potential applications in various fields, including the development of smart materials and switches. Here the authors report a gold(I) complex that undergoes multiple photoinduced color changes upon excitation of light at specific wavelengths, offering an enhanced storage capacity towards optical memory devices.

  • Nathan Man-Wai Wu
  • , Maggie Ng
  •  & Vivian Wing-Wah Yam

• Article
  10 December 2021 | Open Access

  Creation of an unexpected plane of enhanced covalency in cerium(III) and berkelium(III) terpyridyl complexes

  Studying how the ligand design influences the bonding of f-block complexes is crucial to control their properties. Here, the authors report the preparation of Bk(III) and Ce(III) complexes featuring a terpyridyl ligand; structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and theoretical analysis reveal that the ligand induces unusual bonding by creating a plane of enhanced bond covalency.

  • Alyssa N. Gaiser
  • , Cristian Celis-Barros
  •  & Thomas E. Albrecht-Schönzart

• Article
  10 December 2021 | Open Access

  Parallel-stacked aromatic molecules in hydrogen-bonded inorganic frameworks

  Hydrogen-bonded inorganic frameworks are porous structures that may lead to novel materials with unprecedented properties and functionalities. Here the authors report the solid-state structures of orthosilicic acid-based hydrogen-bonded inorganic frameworks that can encapsulate small unsaturated cyclic molecules such as benzene, which are found stacked in parallel.

  • Masayasu Igarashi
  • , Takeshi Nozawa
  •  & Kazuhiko Sato

• Article
  03 December 2021 | Open Access

  A crystalline radical cation derived from Thiele’s hydrocarbon with redox range beyond 1 V

  Organic molecules that can access various redox states have potential applications in electronics, batteries, catalysis, among others. Here the authors report the preparation of an unsymmetrical organoboron analogue of Thiele’s hydrocarbon and study its one- and two-electron oxidation reactions; remarkably, the radical cation is stable over a redox range of > 1 V and can also be isolated.

  • Ying Kai Loh
  • , Petra Vasko
  •  & Simon Aldridge

• Article
  25 November 2021 | Open Access

  Giant single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations associated with chiral interconversion induced by elimination of chelating ligands

  Crystalline materials that undergo large structural changes in response to external stimuli remain rare. Here the authors report a Zinc(II) complex that undergoes a two-step reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation via thermal removal of ethylene glycol chelating ligands; this results in large volume changes.

  • Yun Li
  • , Bo Zhao
  •  & Jun Tao

• Article
  09 November 2021 | Open Access

  Monovalent lanthanide(I) in borozene complexes

  The most common oxidation state for lanthanides is +3. Here the authors use photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations to study half-sandwich complexes where a lanthanide center in the oxidation state +1 is bound to an aromatic wheel-like B₈^2- ligand.

  • Wan-Lu Li
  • , Teng-Teng Chen
  •  & Lai-Sheng Wang

• Article
  03 November 2021 | Open Access

  Striping of orbital-order with charge-disorder in optimally doped manganites

  Manganite perovskites display the intriguing property of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR), but only at very specific doping values. Now, a detailed crystallographic analysis of a prototype system reveals a novel type of orbital ordering that coexists with charge-disorder stripes, occurring precisely at the doping value where CMR is maximised.

  • Wei-Tin Chen
  • , Chin-Wei Wang
  •  & Mark S. Senn

• Article
  29 October 2021 | Open Access

  Tuneable separation of gold by selective precipitation using a simple and recyclable diamide

  The separation of metals from electronic waste is an enduring technological and societal challenge, and new metal extraction, refining and recycling solutions are needed. Here the authors report a recyclable and tuneable chemical reagent that separates valuable metals such as gold by direct and selective precipitation from various acidic, mixed-metal solutions of relevance to extraction and recycling industries.

  • Luke M. M. Kinsman
  • , Bryne T. Ngwenya
  •  & Jason B. Love

• Article
  01 October 2021 | Open Access

  Pentaphosphaferrocene-mediated synthesis of asymmetric organo-phosphines starting from white phosphorus

  Asymmetrically substituted phosphine ligands play a decisive role in catalysis, but their synthesis is rather challenging and often involves hazardous chemicals such as PCl₃ or PH₃. Here, the authors report the one-pot preparation of asymmetric phosphines from white phosphorus via a pentaphosphaferrocene based modular system, in which the transition metal complex can be reused.

  • Stephan Reichl
  • , Eric Mädl
  •  & Manfred Scheer

• Article
  24 September 2021 | Open Access

  Exceptional uranium(VI)-nitride triple bond covalency from ¹⁵N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and quantum chemical analysis

  Determining the covalency of actinide chemical bonding is a fundamentally important challenge. Here, the authors report a ¹⁵N nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of a terminal uranium-nitride, revealing exceptional NMR properties and covalency that redefine ¹⁵N NMR parameter space and actinide chemical bonding.

  • Jingzhen Du
  • , John A. Seed
  •  & Stephen T. Liddle