Templating Iron(III) Oxides on DNA Molecules.

Fe(III) oxides were prepared as free nanoparticles and on DNA templates via the precipitation of Fe(III) salts with NaOH in the presence/absence of DNA. Through control of the pH and temperature, FeOOH and FeO were synthesised. The formation of templated materials FeOOH/DNA and FeO/DNA was confirmed using UV-Vis absorption and FTIR spectra.

Post transition metal substituted Keggin-type POMs as thin film chemiresistive sensors for HO and CO detection.

Chemiresitive sensing allows the affordable and facile detection of small molecules such as HO and CO. Herein, we report a novel class of Earth-abundant post transition metal substituted Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs) for chemiresistive sensing applications, with conductivities up to 0.01 S cm under 100% CO and 65% Relative Humidity (RH).

Vesicles, fibres, films and crystals: A low-molecular-weight-gelator [Au(6-thioguanosine)]Cl which exhibits a co-operative anion-induced transition from vesicles to a fibrous metallo-hydrogel.

We describe a simple coordination compound of Au(I) and 6-thioguanosine, [Au(6-tGH)]Cl, that has a rich self-assembly chemistry. In aqueous solution, the discrete complex assembles into a supramolecular fibre and forms a luminescent hydrogel at concentrations above about 1 mM. Below this concentration, the macromolecular structure is a vesicle.

Hierarchical self-assembly in an RNA-based coordination polymer hydrogel.

An RNA-based coordination polymer is formed by the aqueous reaction of Cu ions with the thionucleoside enantiomer (-)6-thioguanosine, (6tGH). The resulting polymer, [Cu(μ-S-thioG)]1, has a one-dimensional structure based on a [Cu-S] core and undergoes extensive hierarchical self-assembly transforming from oligomeric chains → rod → cable → bundle through which a fibrous gel forms, that undergoes syneresis to form a self-supporting mass. The assembly involves the formation of helical cables/bundles and, in combination with the intrinsic photoemission of the polymer, results in the material exhibiting circularly polarised luminescence (CPL).