Inorganic chemistry articles from across Nature Portfolio

Radical molecules and extended nitrogen chains are notoriously difficult to stabilize. Now, a series of molecules featuring four-atom nitrogen chain radical anions that are not supported by metals have been synthesized.

It is difficult to isolate and control the reactivity of nickel(I) complexes, despite their potential interest for cross-coupling reactions. Now, Mirica and colleagues report thermally robust bimetallic Ni(I) catalysts supported by isocyanide ligands that show high catalytic efficacy and selectivity in cross-coupling reactions, addressing a long-standing gap in Ni(I) chemistry.

Two-dimensional (2D) metal halide perovskites exhibit efficient photoinduced emission at room temperature, but control over charge carrier transport remains limited. Here formamidinium-based layered 2D perovskites are developed with high predicted symmetry. The absence of octahedral distortion results in an exciton diffusion length of 2.5 µm.

Photoluminescent materials are widely used in information security applications, yet high-precision optical information encryption remains difficult to achieve. Here the authors report two monoclinic zero-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid Mn(II) chloride crystals and characterize their phase-transition-induced photoluminescence quenching.

Oxygen vacancy defects, crucial to properties such as conductivity and thermal expansion, exhibited unique temperature dependence when cation mixing distorts the lattice, creating an energetic distribution of vacancy sites.

The authors show how hydration of (Ba,Sr)LnCo₂O_6-δ double perovskite positrodes for proton ceramic cells is coupled to Ln basicity, A-site disorder, and Co oxidation state and is promoted by a closed or half-closed Ln 4 f shell, i.e., Ln = La, Gd, Lu.

Superatomic molecules, constructed by the fusion or combination of spherical metal nanoclusters (superatoms), offer a novel framework for understanding the stability of anisotropic metal nanoclusters. This review highlights recent advances, with a focus on the relationship between molecular geometry and electronic structure, particularly the formation of superatomic molecular orbitals through the linear combination of superatomic orbitals. Unique stabilization features distinct from conventional molecules are introduced, along with emerging prospects for photofuntional applications.

The fluorochemical industry is extensive, but fundamentally unsustainable. In this Review, we highlight synthetic methods for recycling fluorocarbons, with a focus on methods that can be applied for industrially relevant fluorochemicals including refrigerants and fluoropolymers.

Radical molecules and extended nitrogen chains are notoriously difficult to stabilize. Now, a series of molecules featuring four-atom nitrogen chain radical anions that are not supported by metals have been synthesized.

It is difficult to isolate and control the reactivity of nickel(I) complexes, despite their potential interest for cross-coupling reactions. Now, Mirica and colleagues report thermally robust bimetallic Ni(I) catalysts supported by isocyanide ligands that show high catalytic efficacy and selectivity in cross-coupling reactions, addressing a long-standing gap in Ni(I) chemistry.

Industry based around the generation of lime from calcium carbonate is responsible for a large proportion of anthropogenic carbon emissions — and thus has a significant impact on climate change. Bruce Gibb takes us through the chemistry of lime and considers how chemists can help in the development of alternative processes with reduced carbon emissions — with a particular focus on the generation of cement.

Isolating a metal-free isodiazomethyl anion has been a longstanding challenge. Now, an isodiazomethyl anion stabilized by a cyclic boryl group has been isolated and structurally characterized. The anion features a highly nucleophilic boron-bound nitrogen centre that enables it to function as an effective boryl-nitrene synthon.

Instability hinders the commercialization of perovskite solar cells. Now, a co-crystal engineering strategy is developed to create a protective two-dimensional perovskite layer on top of a three-dimensional perovskite layer. This approach increases the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar modules, surpassing current photovoltaic standards, in a step towards industrial manufacturing.