The thermally stable tris(pyridyl) Al(III) complex [MeAl(2-py)3Li·THF] (1·THF), obtained from the reaction of lithiopyridine [2-pyLi] with MeAlCl2 (3:1 molar equiv, respectively), functions as a pyridyl-transfer reagent, as exemplified by the reaction of 1·THF with CuCl (1:1 molar equiv), which gives the Cu(I) organometallic [{Cu(2-py)}3]∞ (2). The solid-state structures of 1, the dimer [MeAl(2-py)3Li]2 ([1]2), and 2 are reported. Complex 2, which cannot be obtained by direct reaction of [2-pyLi] with CuCl, has a polymeric structure in which macrocyclic [Cu(2-py)]3 ring units form infinite offset stacks associated by short Cu···Cu interactions between three- and four-coordinate Cu(I) centers (2.762(3) Å).

The hybrid dibismuthines O{(CH2)2BiPh2}2, MeN(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2, and S(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2 (R = Me, Ph), have been prepared and characterized by microanalysis, 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy, and FAB mass spectrometry. The X-ray structures of O{(CH2)2BiPh2}2 and S(CH2-2-C6H4BiPh2)2 show close to symmetrical hypervalent interactions between the O or S atoms and both bismuth centers. The antimony analogue S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2 is quaternized by MeI to [S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe3)2]I2, which also shows a hypervalent S···Sb interaction, but in this case to only a single antimony center. Complexes of these and related ligands with the CpFe(CO)2 + group, of the type [{CpFe(CO)2}2L][BF4]2 (L = O{(CH2)2BiPh2}2, MeN(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2, S(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2, O{(CH2)2SbR2}2, S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2, MeN(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2, Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2), have been prepared and characterized by microanalysis (antimony complexes only), 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, and ES+ mass spectrometry. The X-ray crystal structure of [{CpFe(CO)2}2{O{(CH2)2SbMe2}2}][BF4]2 shows a hypervalent Sb···O contact to one of the antimony centers, whereas no hypervalent contacts are seen in the structure of [{CpFe(CO)2}2{MeN(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2}][BF4]2. IR (carbonyl region) and NMR spectroscopy indicate that, uniquely, [{CpFe(CO)2}2{MeN(CH2-2-C6H4BiPh2)2}][BF4]2 shows hypervalent N···Bi interactions in both the solid and solution, but for the other dibismuthine complexes, there is evidence for inequivalence of the iron centers (and hence hypervalency) only in the solid state. Spectroscopic data indicate that hypervalent interactions are absent in [{CpFe(CO)2}2{MeN(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2}][BF4]2 and [{CpFe(CO)2}2{S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2}][BF4]2, but present in solid [{CpFe(CO)2}2{O{(CH2)2SbR2}2}][BF4]2. The preparation and X-ray structure of [CpFe(CO)2{BiPh2(o-C6H4OMe)}][BF4] is also reported, but attempts to isolate [CpFe(CO)2(BiPhMe2)]][BF4] resulted in rapid scrambling of the substituents at bismuth to give [CpFe(CO)2(BiPh3−n Me n )][BF4] (n = 0−3).

We review recent efforts and discuss future prospects in research employing x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to interrogate the nanometer-scale structural dynamics of soft materials undergoing in situ mechanical deformation and flow. Examples of such rheo-XPCS experiments include those incorporating conventional homogeneous shear deformation, including notably large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS), as well as other modes of flow and deformation, such as tensile strain and flow within microfluidic environments. Particular attention is given to opportunities in such studies to reveal the structural dynamics associated with nonlinear rheological behavior such as yielding. We also review recent related work employing XPCS as a microrheological tool by tracking nanoparticle mobility within complex fluids.

Contaminated peanut butter and peanut products caused a nationwide salmonellosis outbreak. Ingredient-driven outbreaks are challenging to detect and may lead to widespread contamination of numerous food products.