Crystal structure of (acetato-κO)(ethanol-κO)[(9S,17S,21S,29S)-9,17,21,29-tetra-hydroxy-18,30-dioxa-octa-cyclo-[18.10.0.0(2,7).0(8,19).0(9,17).0(11,16).0(21,29).0(23,28)]triaconta-1,3,5,7,11(16),12,14,19,23(28),24,26-undeca-ene-10,22-dione-κ(3) O (18),O (21),O (22)]caesium ethanol monosolvate.

The title compound, [Cs(CH3COO)(C28H16O8)(C2H5OH)]·C2H5OH, is the product of the complexation between one vasarene analogue [1], bis ninhydrin naphthalene-1,3-diol and CsF, where the F(-) ion has reacted with residual acetic acid (AcOH), to form a [1]·CsOAc complex. The inter-molecular inter-actions with the multiple oxygen-containing functional groups of the ligand, as well as O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the ethanol solvent mol-ecules, stabilize the complex, forming a chain along [100]. Additional parallel-displaced π-π stacking, with an inter-planar distance of 3.

Bis(benzyl-tri-methyl-ammonium) bis-[(4SR,12SR,18RS,26RS)-4,18,26-trihy-droxy-12-oxido-13,17-dioxahepta-cyclo-[14.10.0.0(3,14).0(4,12).0(6,11).0(18,26).0(19,24)]hexa-cosa-1,3(14),6,8,10,15,19,21,23-nona-ene-5,25-dione] sesquihydrate: dimeric structure formation via [O-H-O](-) negative charge-assisted hydrogen bonds (-CAHB) with benzyl-tri-methyl-ammonium counter-ions.

The reaction between bis-ninhydrin resorcinol and benzyl-tri-methyl-ammonium fluoride in ethanol has produced the title compound, 2C10H16N(+)·2C24H13O8 (-)·1.5H2O, which contains a unique centrosymmetric supra-molecular dimeric entity, where two deprotonated ligands are held together via two strong and short [O⋯O = 2.4395 (13) Å] [O-H-O](-) bonds of the type negative charge-assisted hydrogen bonds (-CAHB).

Dual fingerprint reagents with enhanced sensitivity: 5-methoxy- and 5-methylthioninhydrin.

"Dual fingerprint reagents" are chemical formulations which produce with latent fingerprints in a single step, impressions that are both colored and fluorescent. Pre-mixed solutions of the two commercially available ninhydrin analogues, 5-methoxyninhydrin (MN) and 5-methylthioninhydrin (MTN) with zinc or cadmium salts, are true dual reagents. They are much more sensitive than the parent dual reagent, ninhydrin/ZnCl(2).

A field diagnostic test for the improvised explosive urea nitrate.

A sensitive, specific and simple color test for the improvised explosive urea nitrate is described. It is based on the formation of a red pigment upon the reaction between urea nitrate and p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (p-DMAC) under neutral conditions. Urea itself, which is the starting material for urea nitrate, does not react with p-DMAC under the same conditions.

Deciphering indented impressions on plastic.

The questioned document laboratory is often called upon to decipher writing that has been erased, obliterated, or that has faded. In cases like these, the original writing is no longer legible to the naked eye, but may be enhanced using various light sources. Certain remnants of the ink's components absorb into the substrate's fibers and can be visualized, usually as luminescence or absorbance.

The identification of stolen paintings using comparison of various marks.

Several oil paintings, suspected of being stolen, were found in the possession of an art dealer in Tel-Aviv, Israel. The authors were asked to determine if these paintings were the stolen ones, based on photographs, stretchers, and frames submitted by the alleged owners in France. A physical match was found between two of the questioned paintings and two stretchers.

Unusual contact marks: connecting the hubcap to the wheel of the car.

A case of homicide and attempted homicide is described. The comparison of tire-marks linked the suspect's vehicle to the scene of crime only with low certainty. However, the comparison of the pressure mark on the hubcap found at the scene, with the balance weight on one of the wheels of the suspect's car, connected the suspect to the scene of crime with high certainty.