Preface

In this volume of Organometallic Chemistry, Andrew Johnson and John Parish discuss precursor design for atomic layer deposition, an important process for developing thin film technologies. Recent developments in both main group and transition metal precursors are discussed in detail, highlighting current challenges in the field.

The importance of metal sites and nodes in the design of metal–organic frameworks, an increasingly popular field, is described by Timothy Easun and Adam Nevin. Emphasis is given to role of the metal ion in guest binding, along with application of these materials in catalysis.

The principles of photocatalysis and CO₂ photoreduction is described by Alessandro Sinopoli, Nathan La Porte, Michael Wasielewski, and Muhammad Sohail. The authors go on to discuss some recent advances in the field, including the use of diimine complexes of Ru(ii), Os(ii), cyclometalated Ir(iii), and Re(i)-rylene complexes as photosensitisers for CO₂ reduction.

Lanthanide complexes have widespread application in variety optical technologies due to their line-like luminescence, and commonly employ UV or visible light for excitation. Adam Woodward, Hannah Wilson and Louise Natrajan discuss recent developments in multiphoton excitation of lanthanide complexes using near infra-red light instead, which is of particular importance in medical imaging or theranostic applications.

Finally, the synthetic routes and reactions of π-coordinated arene transition metal complexes is discussed by James Walton and Luke Wilkinson. This area of organometallic chemistry is relatively mature, however it is undergoing a resurgence due to their application in a number of catalytic processes as highlighted by the authors.

This volume highlights the importance of organometallic and inorganic coordination chemistry in fields ranging from functional materials to catalysis, demonstrating that it is an area that is going to remain strong in years to come.

Nathan J. Patmore and Paul I. P. Elliott