A chelating coumarin-derived ligand sensitizes all emitting lanthanide ions in the solid state and gives high absolute quantum yields for ethanol solutions of complexes of Sm, Eu, Tb, and Dy, above 20% for the last two. Crystal structures of these four complexes are [Ln(Cum)(HO)(X)]·X where X = MeOH or EtOH.

Boron and tin complexes have been a versatile and very interesting scaffold for the design of nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores. In this paper we present a wide range of reports since the 1990s to date, which include second-order (e.g., second harmonic generation) and third-order (e.g., two-photon absorption) NLO properties. After a short introduction on the origin of the NLO response in molecules, the different features associated with the introduction of these inorganic motifs in the organic-based NLO materials are discussed: Their effect on the accepting/donating capabilities of the substituents, on the efficiency of the π-conjugated linkage, and on the topology of the chromophores which can be tuned from the first generation of “push-pull” chromophores to more sophisticated two- or three-dimensional architectures.

In this work, the influence of carbon dioxide on the synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) in glycerol/ionic liquid mixtures and their further applications in catalytic hydrogenations, was studied. In the glycerol/choline tosylalaninate/CO2 medium, small and very well-dispersed metal nanoparticles were obtained (1.3 ± 0.3 nm), exhibiting a relative narrow size distribution. Palladium nanoparticles prepared in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) showed higher catalytic reactivity in comparison with those prepared in its absence. In addition, we observed a beneficial effect of CO2 in the studied hydrogenations. With the aim of rationalizing this trend, measurements of viscosity of the solvent media were carried out by using fluorescent molecular rotors, allowing the determination of diffusion coefficients for the organic substrates and molecular hydrogen. This study evidenced that CO2 causes a decrease of the viscosity of the medium and an increase of the diffusion constants of reagents including H2; consequently, PdNPs in the glycerol/choline tosylalaninate/CO2 solvent showed an enhanced catalytic activity. From both process engineering and environmental points of view, it is important to highlight the efficiency of the extraction of organic products from the catalytic glycerol/ionic liquid solution by scCO2.

A new dibrominated 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) is reported as a new metal-free photocatalyst. This BODIPY showed similar optoelectronic, electrochemical, and performance properties to those of Ru­(bpy)3Cl2, one of the most common photocatalysts in a known radical–ionic transformation, such as the formation of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds. Moreover, additional sequences in which the generated oxonium ion is trapped by an internal nucleophile were developed using this BODIPY photocatalyst. These new sequences allowed the straightforward preparation of γ-alkoxylactones, monoprotected 1,4-ketoaldehydes, and dihydrofurans. This new catalyst, the methodology, and the forged functional groups could be important tools in organic synthesis.

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