Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
new magnetic materials for higher density data storage media - magnetic materials
that are 'molecular magnets', being composed of low molecular weight polymetallic
complexes;
solid phases with unusual properties derived through the construction of new nanomate-
rials from small component complexes.
The list could go on, but perhaps you get the idea well enough, and you may be able to
think of others to add. A complex to catalyse the conversion of carbon dioxide to a useful
product, perhaps?
All seems a little unlikely? Well, one word that should be used in science with great
caution is 'impossible'. In fact, most of the above are under some stage of current develop-
ment. Coordination chemistry has thrown up some wondrous outcomes in the past century
of effort, so who can know where it is going to take us. Just topic your ticket and get on
board.
Concept Keys
Coordination complexes find wide commercial applications, from being used in
medicine to serving as the mode by which metals are extracted from ores.
Medically-related applications of coordination complexes include use in bioassay,
diagnostic imaging and as drugs.
Metal complexes find important roles in the fight against cancer. In particular, cisplatin
and its homologues are used a great deal and to good effect, and initiate their activity
through binding to the aromatic amine bases of DNA in cancer cells.
Fluoroimmunoassay makes use of the fluorescent properties of europium complexes,
and is one example of how a strong spectroscopic response has been adopted to
provide an analytical method, in this case in bioanalysis.
Hydrometallurgy makes use of redox and complexation reactions for the recovery of
valuable metals from ores. This is exemplified by the dissolution of gold metal in
ores through oxidation by air and complexation by cyanide.
The synthetic chemical industry is heavily reliant on the use of metal complexes as
catalysts, including for the preparation of optically pure chiral compounds.
Metal complexes can act as a starting point for what is termed 'bottom up' synthesis
of nanomaterials, through commencing with simple complexes that aggregate into
large nanoscale products.
Environmentally-sensitive 'green' chemistry is a developing commercially-relevant
field, with roles for coordination chemistry included in current research.
Further Reading
B uchel, K.H., Moretto, H.-H. and Woditsch, P. (2000)
Industrial Inorganic Chemistry
, 2nd edn,
Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Germany. A lengthy but authoritative overview of industrial
inorganic chemistry in one volume. Apart from production aspects, materials, energy use and
economic considerations are addressed.
Elvers, B., Hawkins, S., Arpe, H.-J.
et al.
(1997)
Ullmann's Encyclopaedia of Industrial Chemistry
,
Parts A (28 volumes) and B (8 volumes), 5th edn, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Germany.
