Nanocrystals are fundamental to modern science and technology. Mastery over the shape of a nanocrystal enables control of its properties and enhancement of its usefulness for a given application. Our aim is to present a comprehensive review of current research activities that center on the shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals. We begin with a brief introduction to nucleation and growth within the context of metal nanocrystal synthesis, followed by a discussion of the possible shapes that a metal nanocrystal might take under different conditions. We then focus on a variety of experimental parameters that have been explored to manipulate the nucleation and growth of metal nanocrystals in solution-phase syntheses in an effort to generate specific shapes. We then elaborate on these approaches by selecting examples in which there is already reasonable understanding for the observed shape control or at least the protocols have proven to be reproducible and controllable. Finally, we highlight a number of applications that have been enabled and/or enhanced by the shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals. We conclude this article with personal perspectives on the directions toward which future research in this field might take.

Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of Metal Nanocrystals: Simple Chemistry Meets Complex Physics?

Strong Closed-Shell Interactions in Inorganic Chemistry.

Advances in copper complexes as anticancer agents.

Polymeric materials with antimicrobial activity

The challenge of cyclic and acyclic schiff bases and related derivatives

The structure, magnetic and spectral properties of 4-acetylpyridine N-oxide complexes of copper(II) propionates

The synthesis and characterization of six new 2-methylthionicotinate (2-MeSnic) copper(II) monomeric complexes [Cu(2-MeSnic)2L2] (L is furo[3,2-c]pyridine—fpy, 2-methylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine—Mefpy, 2,3-dimethylfuro[3,2-c]pyridine—Me2fpy or benzo[4,5]furo[3,2-c]pyridine—Bfp), [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(fpy)2(H2O)], as well as [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(CF3Phfpy)2(H2O)2] (CF3Phfpy is 2-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)furo[3,2-c]pyridine) are reported. The characterizations were based on elemental analysis, infrared, electronic and EPR spectra. The crystal structure of one of the complexes has been determined. The CuII atoms of [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(fpy)2(H2O)] are six-coordinated in a highly distorted tetragonal–bipyramidal arrangement by two nitrogen atoms, one from each fpy, in trans-positions, by three oxygen atoms of the carboxyl groups of 2-MeSnic ligands (one monodentate, one asymmetrically bidentate), one axial position being occupied by the oxygen of a water molecule. The antimicrobial effects have been tested on various strains of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. A comparison of the IC50 and MIC values has shown a decrease of inhibition activities of tested compounds in the order: [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(Bfp)2] > Bfp > [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(CF3Phfpy)2(H2O)2] > [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(Me2fpy)2] > CF3Phfpy > [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(Mefpy)2] > Me2fpy > [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(fpy)2(H2O)] > [Cu(2-MeSnic)2(H2O)]2 > Mefpy > fpy = 2-MeSnicH = CuSO4.

Synthesis, spectroscopic properties, crystal structure and biological activities of copper(II) 2-methylthionicotinate complexes with furopyridines

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of a Dinuclear Cu(II)-Complex Tetrakis[mu-(3-chloropropionato)]-bis(4-picoline)dicopper(II).

ABSTRACT Over 380 heterometallic tin compounds include 130 trimers, 100 tetramers, 30 pentamers. 45 hexamers. 15 heptamers, 12 octamers, 20 oligomers and 30 polymers. In these the Sn atom is found in oxidation states of 0, +2 and +4, with geometries including trigonal planar, tetrahedral. trigonal bipyramidal, octahedral and seven coordinate, with varying degrees of distortion. Of these, the first only exhibits Sn(0) and Sn(II) and the last only Sn(II) oxidation states, with tetrahedral geometry the most common overall. Examples of distortion isomersim are reported, with many being exhibited within the same crystal. The heterometal atoms include the transition and lanthanide metals along with the non-transition metals. Outside the dimers. the shortest Sn-M(non-transition) bond distances are found in the tetramers and hexamers. Both Sn(IV) and Sn(II) are found bonded to a variety of \"hard\" and \"soft\" heterometal atoms. Comparisons are made with the much less rich chemistry of Pb

Heterometallic tin compounds: classification and analysis of crystallographic and structural data: part ii. trimeric to polymeric derivatives

Synthesis and characterization of four new 2,6-dimethoxynicotinate (2,6-(MeO)2nic) copper(II) monomeric complexes [Cu(2,6-(MeO)2nic)2(py)2] (py is pyridine), [Cu{2,6-(MeO)2nic}2(Etnic)2(H2O)] (Etnic is ethylnicotinate), [Cu{2,6-(MeO)2nic}2(Et2nia)2(H2O)2] (Et2nia is N,N-diethylnicotinamide) as well as of the polymeric complex [Cu{2,6-(MeO)2nic}2(ron)2] n (ron is ronicol) are reported. The characterizations were based on elemental analysis, infrared, electronic and EPR spectra. Crystal structures of two of the complexes have been determined. The copper(II) of [Cu{2,6-(MeO)2nic}2(py)2] has a distorted tetragonal-bipyramidal (4 + 2) coordination environment. Both 2,6-(MeO)2nic anions are asymmetrically chelating. The Cu(II) of [Cu{2,6-(MeO)2nic}2(Etnic)2(H2O)] is pentacoordinate in a slightly distorted tetragonal-pyramidal arrangement by two trans nitrogens, each of one Etnic, by two oxygens, each of the carboxyl group of one unidentate 2,6-(MeO)2nic and the axial position occupied by water at a longer dista...

Milan Melnik

Papers

The structure, magnetic and spectral properties of 4-acetylpyridine N-oxide complexes of copper(II) propionates

Synthesis, spectroscopic properties, crystal structure and biological activities of copper(II) 2-methylthionicotinate complexes with furopyridines

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of a Dinuclear Cu(II)-Complex Tetrakis[mu-(3-chloropropionato)]-bis(4-picoline)dicopper(II).

Heterometallic tin compounds: classification and analysis of crystallographic and structural data: part ii. trimeric to polymeric derivatives

Synthesis, spectral properties, crystal structures and biological activity of copper(II) pyridinecarboxylates with N -heterocyclic ligands