A novel Zn/Co zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) has been constructed which demonstrates better gas adsorption (CO2, CH4 and N2) and catalytic (CO2 conversion) properties compared with ZIF-8 and ZIF-67.

Gold nanoparticles functionalized with Gd(3+) chelates displaying fast water exchange, superb pH stability and inertness towards transmetalation with Zn(2+) have been prepared and characterized as a new high relaxivity (29 mM(-1) s(-1), 30 MHz, 25 °C) contrast agent potentially safe for in vivo MRI applications. The Lipari-Szabo treatment for internal rotation was used to evaluate the effect of linker flexibility on the relaxivity of the gold nanoparticles. The effect of fast water exchange on the relaxivity of gold nanoparticles functionalized with Gd(3+) chelates is also addressed in this communication.

ZIF-67 acts as a very efficient catalyst for the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides affording cyclic carbonates with high selectivity, without any need for a solvent or a co-catalyst.

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The amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and the phosphorylated protein tau have been widely implicated in Alzheimer's disease and are the focus of most research. Both agents have been extensively studied in mammalian cell culture and in animal studies, but new research is focusing on yeast models. Yeast are eukaryotes, just like us, and are amenable to effects and expression of Aβ and tau and appear able to 'report' with considerable relevance on the effects of these biomolecules. The use of yeast enables powerful new approaches to understanding how to overcome the effects of Aβ and tau, and such advances could lead to new therapies to prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

The mechanism of crystal growth for ZIFs (ZIF-67 and Zn/Co-ZIF) is explored for the first time using the spray-drying technique.