Determination of the crystal structure of the mono-caesium derivative of the macrocyclic tetraphenol p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene shows the metal atom to be bound within the cup formed by the ligand; the metal is thereby in much closer proximity to the aromatic carbon atoms than to the phenolic oxygens, indicating that it is involved in polyhapto bonding to a delocalised anionic ligand.

The effect of a series of phosphonate molecules on barium sulfate precipitation was tested. While an increase in the number of phosphonate groups generally resulted in increased inhibition of barium sulfate precipitation, two notable exceptions showed that a relatively high number of phosphonate groups does not guarantee inhibition while a relatively low number of phosphonate groups does not imply no inhibition. Increasing the pH showed an increased effect of additives on barium sulfate precipitation up to pH 8. However, on increasing from pH 8 to 12, a loss of inhibition in the additives was observed which appears to be due to the barium sulfate surface changing with pH.

A water-soluble, chiral calix[4]arene has been found to form hydrogels when triggered by the presence of specific anions, with efficacy linked to the Hofmeister series; the gel properties are modified by the associated cations, and gelation can be reversibly switched off by increasing pH.

The reaction of hydrated YbCl3 with potassium tribenzoylmethanide yields a new bimetallic tetranuclear Yb(3+)/K(+) assembly. This species not only possesses the longest excited state lifetime and quantum yield reported for the Yb(3+) diketonate family but is also suitable to be incorporated in NIR-OLEDs, whose performance outclasses any other reported lanthanoid-based device with NIR emission.