Molecular systems featuring a spin-optical interface offer a promising platform for quantum sensing, thanks to their low-cost synthesis and tunability. Here the authors use pentacene-doped molecular c...

Monday, December 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Registration Deadline: January 6, 2026, 11:59 PM, USA Eastern

A one-pot reaction on a diiron platform yields the first isolable series of ferrabenzene compounds. X-ray, NMR, and DFT studies confirm their aromatic character. Selected derivatives display favorable physicochemical prerequisites for biological applications and exhibit a promising in vitro cytotoxicity profile, linked to disruption of mitochondrial activity. Abstract Despite extensive research on metallabenzenes, ferrabenzenes have remained elusive, with only a single example reported to date, discovered accidentally. In this work, we present a reproducible, room-temperature reaction on a diiron bis-cyclopentadienyl platform, providing access to a class of four substituted ferrabenzenes (5a-c), stabilized by η6-coordination to a second iron fragment. This synthesis involves a one-pot double C─C coupling of iminium, carbene (from a diazo compound), and carbon monoxide moieties, yielding ferra-cyclohexadienone derivatives (4a-c), followed by O-alkylation with alkyl triflates. Experimental and computational studies enabled the proposal of a plausible reaction mechanism. Combined X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and computational data support the aromatic character of the ferrabenzene ring in compounds 5a-c and, to a lesser extent, in their precursors 4a-c. Complexes 4a-c and 5a-c were further characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and IR spectroelectrochemistry. A selection of ferrabenzenes (5a, 5b, 5aEt) revealed physicochemical properties suitable for biological applications, including permanent air stability, adequate aqueous solubility and stability, and balanced hydrophilic/lipophilic profile. These compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity in vitro against three cancer cell lines, with 5aEt standing out for its pronounced activity, attributed to disruption of cell redox homeostasis, and marked selectivity compared to two noncancerous cell lines.

At its meeting of 3 and 4 December 2025 and upon application of Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich, the ETH Board appointed eleven professors. In addition, seven adjunct professorships were awarded.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is invaluable in the medical world. But despite all the good it does, there is room for improvement. One way to enhance the sensitivity of MRI is dynamic nuclear polar...

A fundamental limitation for the practical use of dynamic nuclear polarization using photo-excited triplet state - the need of strictly oriented single crystal - is overcome in this work through the d...

The 1st School for Practical Insights in NMR (SPINMR) will celebrate from 21st to 23rd January 2026, IQS, Barcelona. It is a scientific gathering event dedicated to real-world applications and the…