The tambjamine alkaloids and related synthetic analogs are potent transmembrane anion tranporters promoting bicarbonate/chloride exchange in model phospholipid liposomes and discharging pH gradients in living cells.

An organopalladium chemical dosimeter of Hg²⁺ that methylates Hg²⁺, undergoing a colour change in 1 : 1 ethanol–water with submicromolar sensitivity, gives rise to an aqua–palladium complex that is methylated by MeHg⁺ in the presence of a dithiol compound, undergoing another colour change, thus making the system suitable for the naked-eye detection of Hg²⁺ and MeHg⁺, two environmentally important species of Hg²⁺.