Endohedral metallic fullerenes (EMFs), featured by the encapsulation of metal ions, molecules and clusters inside the hollow sphere of carbon cage, have drawn great attention in the fullerene research field because of their unique structures and properties. In this minireview, we reviewed the most recent development in this area, focusing mainly on the large EMFs and magnetic EMFs. The relevance between the large carbon cage and cluster was discussed and the paramagnetism and single-molecule magnetism of EMFs, which are controlled by spin single electron and the coupling of f-shell of metal ions, were summarized.

Removal of mercury contaminants from nature receives a global attention from a biological and environmental standpoint. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show much promises in the adsorptive removal of mercury species. This review summarizes the recent studies on the MOF-based materials for mercury sensing and removal. The design of those materials are listed in five categories—use of unfunctionalized MOFs, linker design of MOFs, modification of MOF system, post-synthetic modification of the frameworks, and development of MOF-based composites. Finally, several key learning points are discussed in the aim of a facilitating new design of MOF-based sensors and adsorbents for mercury.

Liquid crystals decorated gold nanoparticles are synthesized as the molecular architecture consists of the azobenzenes moieties with alkene as the peripheral units, which are connected to gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) via thiolated phenolic units are in the middle. The morphology and mesomorphic properties were investigated by the field emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarizing optical microscopy. The aromatic thiolated azobenzene moieties with gold nanoparticles showed smectic A phase with monotropic nature only appeared in the cooling cycle. HR-TEM measurement showed that the functionalized Au-NPs are well dispersed without any aggregation. However, the absorption spectrum of peripheral azobenzene units shows strong absorption maxima in the ultraviolet region at 378 nm due to π-π* transition. For n-π* transition, a weak absorption band is observed in the visible region at 472 nm. The photo-isomerization characteristic is measured using absorption spectroscopy. The photosatur- ation of Au-NPs is found at the time duration of 16 s. The thermal back relaxation is completed after the time interval of 70 min. Moreover, Au-NPs showed excellent stability towards photo-decay. Therefore, Au-NPs compound is suitable in the field of optical storage and molecular switching.

A highly regioselective synthesis of sulfur-containing N-alkyl carbamate from propargyl alcohol, carbon dioxide (CO2) and amine via metal-free catalysis is described. The regioselective ring-opening addition of tri-substituted cyclic carbonate with amine was investigated in detail. A key feature of this system is the ability to afford tertiary β-hydroxyl N-alkyl carbamate with 100% selectivity by using 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) as the catalyst in a wide range of reaction temperatures. The steric hindrance of amine and the use of ethanol favored the regioselective ring-opening addition reaction. A proposed mechanism for the ring-opening addition elaborated the underlying reason for the regioselective synthesis of sulfur-containing N-alkyl carbamate. This study provides a new alternative synthetic route to sulfur-containing N-alkyl carbamates from alkyne and CO₂ and may offer an attractive scaffold for further synthesis.

The present investigation explores memory behavior in pristine ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) and their composites. The induced non-volatile memory traces back its origin from the reconfiguration of helical ar-range- ment of LC molecules under the influence of synchronous cycle of temperature-voltage. The addition of SiO₂ quantum dots provides pronounceable memory behavior, which can be applied for coding optical or electrical field motivated LC based storage devices. The measurement of the polarized state of the FLC molecules and their composites has been carried out dielectrically upto 1 h projecting non-volatile memory effects. The analysis of geometrical arrangement of LC molecules and surface effects due to the incorporation of quantum dots and simultaneous stimulations of temperature and voltage cycle has been reckoned in the study. The traps on the surface of the dispersed quantum dots capture mobile ions and force the LC molecules in the vicinity of quantum dots to display reminiscences of switched state. The dispersion of SiO₂ ensures efficient memorized orientation in the formulated composites resulting in steady memory behavior.