Single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with one transition-metal ion often rely on unusual geometry as a source of magnetically anisotropic ground state. Here we report a cobalt(II) cage complex with a trigonal prism geometry showing single ion magnet behavior with very high Orbach relaxation barrier of 152 cm^–1. This, to our knowledge, is the largest reported relaxation barrier for a cobalt-based mononuclear SMM. The trigonal prismatic coordination provided by the macrocyclic ligand gives intrinsically more stable molecular species than previously reported SMMs, thus making this type of cage complexes more amendable to possible functionalization that will boost their magnetic anisotropy even further.

Topological analysis of the experimental electron density distribution functions for two polymorphs of paracetamol showed that strong H-bonds are responsible for the higher stability of crystal phase I, weak interactions for the higher density of phase II. This made it possible to finally resolve the contradiction between the relative stabilities and the densities of the two paracetamol polymorphs.

Current research fields of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are being developed in the last 5-10 years by Russian scientific institutions and universities, are generalized. The review encompasses the design, synthesis, topological description, and prediction of MOF properties, the development of methods for their chemical engineering and modification, their investigation by modern physicochemical techniques, and the creation of functional materials based on porous frameworks (heterogeneous catalysts, highly efficient and highly selective sorbents of the new generation, conducting materials, systems for the target drug delivery).

The general approach to a novel class of functionalized ionic liquids 4–6 bearing grafted diphenylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide complexing groups in the cation has been elaborated. The synthetic route comprises the preparation of the intermediate (diphenylphosphorylmethylcarbamoyl)propylimidazole 3, followed by sequential quaternization by alkyl halides (chlorides or bromides) and anionic exchange in the case of ionic liquids bearing the hexafluorophosphate anion. The structures of two ionic liquids were confirmed by X-ray analysis, revealing the strong intramolecular hydrogen bond formed by the acidic protons of the heterocycle and oxygen atom either of the PO or CO group, depending on the anion nature. In neutral media, these ionic ligands form complexes ML₂ with europium chloride or europium nitrate via an O,O-bidentate mode similar to known neutral CMPO compounds. The solid phase extractants prepared by immobilization of these FILs on solid matrixes possess sorption activity towards actinides and rare-earth elements in nitric acid solutions.