The first examples of metallasilsesquioxane complexes, including ligands of the 8-hydroxyquinoline family 1–9, were synthesized, and their structures were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. Compounds 1–9 tend to form a type of sandwich-like cage of Cu₄M₂ nuclearity (M = Li, Na, K). Each complex includes two cisoid pentameric silsesquioxane ligands and two 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands. The latter coordinates the copper ions and corresponding alkaline metal ions (via the deprotonated oxygen site). A characteristic (size) of the alkaline metal ion and a variation of characteristics of nitrogen ligands (8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) are highly influential for the formation of the supramolecular structure of the complexes 3a, 5, and 7–9. The Cu₆Na₂-based compound 2 exhibits high catalytic activity towards the oxidation of (i) hydrocarbons by H₂O₂ activated with HNO₃, and (ii) alcohols by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Studies of kinetics and their selectivity has led us to conclude that it is the hydroxyl radicals that play a crucial role in this process.

(1H-Pyrazolyl)pyridines are highly demanded ligands in coordination chemistry. Compounds of this class are analogues of 2,2'-bipyridine ligands. They possess a number of benefits such as ready availability and the ease of synthesis. They can function as bridging counter-ions because of deprotonation of the NH group. This review summarizes the general methods for the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives substituted with pyridine in position 1 or 3(5). The approaches to the preparation of (1H-pyrazolyl)pyridine ligands, arranged according to the type of coordination, are integrated and analyzed. The coordination compounds of various metals, including noble and coin metals, formed on the basis of these ligands, are described. It was shown that the structure of pyrazolylpyridine determines the photophysical and chemical properties of the metal complex. The results can be used to establish the functional ligand — structure of the complex — property relationships. The bibliography includes 119 references.

Novel fluorescent 7-methoxy- and 7-(diethylamino)-coumarins modified with azido-group on the side chain have been synthesized. Their photophysical properties and single crystals structure characteristics have been studied. In order to demonstrate the possibilities of fluorescent labeling, obtained coumarins have been tested with closo-dodecaborate derivative bearing terminal alkynyl group. Cu^I catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction has led to fluorescent conjugates formation. The absorption–emission spectra of the formed conjugates have been presented. The antiproliferative activity and uptake of compounds against several human cell lines were evaluated.