Unsolvated magnesium formate crystallizes upon reaction of the metal nitrate with formic acid in DMF at elevated temperatures. Single-crystal XRD studies reveal the formation of [Mg3(O2CH)6 [symbol: see text] DMF], 1, a metal-organic framework with DMF molecules filling the channels of an extended diamondoid lattice. The DMF molecules in 1 can be entirely removed without disruption to the framework, giving the guest-free material alpha-[Mg3(O2CH)6], 2. Compound 2 has been characterized by both powder and single-crystal XRD studies. Thermogravimetric analyses of 1 show guest loss from 120 to 190 degrees C, with decomposition of the sample at approximately 417 degrees C. Gas sorption studies using both N2 and H2 indicate that the framework displays permanent porosity. The porosity of the framework is further demonstrated by the ability of 2 to uptake a variety of small molecules upon soaking. Single-crystal XRD studies have been completed on the six inclusion compounds [Mg3(O2CH)6 [symbol: see text] THF], 3; [Mg3(O2CH)6 [symbol: see text] Et2O], 4; [Mg3(O2CH)6 [symbol: see text] Me2CO], 5; [Mg3(O2CH)6 [symbol: see text] C6H6], 6; [Mg3(O2CH)6 [symbol: see text] EtOH], 7; and [Mg3(O2CH)(6) [symbol: see text] MeOH], 8. Analyses of the metrical parameters of 1-8 indicate that the framework has the ability to contract or expand depending on the nature of the guest present.

The process of molecular self-assembly on solid surfaces is essentially one of crystallization in two dimensions, and the structures that result depend on the interplay between intermolecular forces and the interaction between adsorbates and the underlying substrate. Because a single hydrogen bond typically has an energy between 15 and 35 kilojoules per mole, hydrogen bonding can be a strong driver of molecular assembly; this is apparent from the dominant role of hydrogen bonding in nucleic-acid base pairing, as well as in the secondary structure of proteins. Carboxylic acid functional groups, which provide two hydrogen bonds, are particularly promising and reliable in creating and maintaining surface order, and self-assembled monolayers of benzoic acids produce structure that depends on the number and relative placement of carboxylic acid groups. Here we use scanning tunnelling microscopy to study self-assembled monolayers of ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FcCOOH), and find that, rather than producing dimeric or linear structures typical of carboxylic acids, FcCOOH forms highly unusual cyclic hydrogen-bonded pentamers, which combine with simultaneously formed FcCOOH dimers to form two-dimensional quasicrystallites that exhibit local five-fold symmetry and maintain translational and rotational order (without periodicity) for distances of more than 400 ångströms.

Potassium, calcium, and mixed potassium-calcium amide combinations have been shown to be efficient reagents in enolization reactions, and a set of representative intermediate mono- and heterobimetallic enolates have been successfully isolated and crystallographically characterized.

A new category of 'inverse crown' complex has been established through the synthesis of the disodium-dimagnesium diisopropylamide [Na2Mg2(N(Pri)2)4(mu-H)2.(toluene)2], the first such complex to exhibit hydride encapsulation, a non-planar octagonal 'host' ring or solvent stabilisation.