A new family of non-Cp-based non-diketonato-based C 2-symmetrical octahedral Ti(IV) complexes of dianionic diamine bis(phenolato) ligands, which are conveniently obtained as single isomers in quantitative yields, leads to appreciable cytotoxicity against colon and ovarian cells with a non-transferrin-dependent cell penetration mechanism. The ligand structural features including steric demands, symmetry, and aromaticity strongly influence activity, supporting its role in the biological mechanism of action.

The cover picture shows the familiar depiction of an sp 3 -hybrid orbital. Each lobe highlights an example of one of the emerging classes of heavy alkaline earth organometallic compounds, specifically those in which the central metal (calcium, strontium and barium) displays direct metal Ϫcarbon bonds. Clockwise around the orbital, these classes are: di-and triphenylmethanides, dibenzyl species, acetylides, and "ate" complexes. Atoms in green depict the alkaline earth metal centers, carbon atoms are black, silicon atoms pink, oxygen atoms red and nitrogen atoms blue. Details are discussed in the Microreview by J. S. Alexander and K. Ruhlandt-Senge on pp. 2761 ff. The cover image was

Progress in the field of sigma-bonded alkaline earth organometallics has been handicapped by numerous complications, such as high reactivity, low solubility, and the limited availability of suitable starting materials. Here we present two synthetic methods, hydrocarbon elimination and desilylation, as alternative routes into this chemistry. A novel barium diphenylmethanide was prepared using these routes delineating that both methods provide a powerful, versatile synthetic access route to an extended library of organometallic alkaline earth derivatives.

A powerful new synthetic method allows for the exploration of an interesting class of rubidium diphenylmethanides showing different solid-state modifications depending on the crystallization temperatures. Theoretical and structural analysis in the solution and the solid state leads to a broader understanding of metal-ligand binding modes.

Differences in anion basicity seem to be key for the formation of the first charge‐separated barium triphenylmethanide (see structure) versus a novel heteroleptic vinyl ether which results from cleavage of the attendant [18]crown‐6. Ba: green; O: red; P: yellow; N: blue.