Peter J. Heard

Building a Research University: A Guide to Establishing Research in New Universities is a guide to university leaders who aim to manage the switch from being a teaching institution to one that is research-led. Drawing on the author’s own experience leading two different universities, the book covers the importance of research in a modern university, and examines the right balance between teaching and research and the strategies to go through phases of growth and development.

A review of the coordination chemistry along with the structural features of heavy element complexes of dithiocarbimate di-anions in the form of [(R)C=NCS₂]²⁻ for R = CN, alkyl, and aryl are described. This class of compound is far less studied compared with the well-explored dithiocarbamate mono-anions formulated as [R(R’)NCS₂]⁻ for R/R’ = H, alkyl, and aryl. The coordination chemistry of dithiocarbimate di-anions is dominated by a S,S-chelating mode; rare examples of alternative modes of coordination are evident. When comparisons are available, the structural motifs adopted by metal dithiocarbimate complexes match those found for their dithiocarbamate analogs, with only small, non-systematic variations in the M–S bond lengths.

The incorporation of dithiocarbamate ligands in the preparation of metal complexes is largely prompted by the versatility of this molecule. Fascinating coordination chemistry can be obtained from the study of such metal complexes ranging from their preparation, the solid-state properties, solution behavior as well as their applications as bioactive materials and luminescent compounds, to name a few. In this overview, the dithiocarbamate complexes of platinum-group elements form the focus of the discussion. The structural aspects of these complexes will be discussed based upon the intriguing findings obtained from their solid- (crystallographic) and solution-state (NMR) studies. At the end of this review, the applications of platinum-group metal complexes will be discussed.

C₁₆H₂₀N₂O₆Re₂S₄, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 15.3490(2) Å, b = 11.79920(10) Å, c = 13.33770(10) Å, β = 103.9980(10)°, V = 2343.80(4) ų, Z = 4, R _gt(F) = 0.0166, wR _ref(F ²) = 0.0445, T = 100(2) K.

C24H36N2O6Re2, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 10.3013(2) Å, b = 11.3471(2) Å, c = 14.5967(3) Å, α = 72.540(2)°, β = 73.074(2)°, γ = 85.369(2)°, V = 1557.05(6) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0214, wRref(F2) = 0.0466, T = 100(2) K.

Great Thinkers, Great Minds: Sunway University Professorial Lecture Series comprises 10 selected papers from Sunway University’s own academics, highlighting original research-based findings in their respective areas of expertise. Based on Sunway University’s Professorial Lecture Series presentations held between 2014 and 2016, this book encompasses an array of fascinating research prospects from a variety of fields that will challenge available subject knowledge.

The title compound, [Re(C₃H₆NS₂)(C₂H₃N)(CO)₃], features an octahedrally coordinated Re^Iatom within a C₃NS₂donor set defined by three carbonyl ligands in afacialarrangement, an acetonitrile N atom and two S atoms derived from a symmetrically coordinating dithiocarbamate ligand. In the crystal, dithiocarbamate-methyl-H...O(carbonyl) interactions lead to supramolecular chains along [36-1]; both dithiocarbamate S atoms participate in intramolecular methyl-H...S interactions. Further but weaker acetonitrile-C—H...O(carbonyl) interactions assemble molecules in theabplane. The nature of the supramolecular assembly was also probed by a Hirshfeld surface analysis. Despite their weak nature, the C—H...O contacts are predominant on the Hirshfeld surface and, indeed, on those of related [Re(CO)₃(C₃H₆NS₂)L] structures.

The title compound, [Cu(C₅H₅NO₂S₂)(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂]·CHCl₃, features a tetrahedrally coordinated Cu^Iatom within a P₂S₂donor set defined by two phosphane P atoms and by two S atoms derived from a symmetrically coordinating dithiocarbamate ligand. Both intra- and intermolecular hydroxy-O—H...O(hydroxy) hydrogen bonding is observed: the former closes an eight-membered {...HOC₂NC₂O} ring, whereas the latter connects centrosymmetrically related molecules into dimeric aggregatesviaeight-membered {...H—O...H—O}₂synthons. The complex molecules are arranged to form channels along thecaxis in which reside the chloroform molecules, being connected by Cl...π(arene) and short S...Cl [3.3488 (9) Å] interactions. The intermolecular interactions have been investigated further by Hirshfeld surface analysis, which shows the conventional hydrogen bonding to be very localized with the main contributors to the surface, at nearly 60%, being H...H contacts. Solution NMR studies indicate that whilst the same basic molecular structure is retained in solution, the triphenylphosphane ligands are highly labile, exchanging rapidly with free Ph₃P at room temperature.