Organic synthesis with the most abundant transition metal–iron: from rust to multitasking catalysts

The promising aspects of iron in synthetic chemistry are being explored for three-four decades as a green and eco-friendly alternative to late transition metals. This present review unveils these rich iron-chemistry towards different transformations.

Nanoscale chemical speciation of β-amyloid/iron aggregates using soft X-ray spectromicroscopy

Nanoscale resolution X-ray spectromicroscopy shows the co-incubation of β-amyloid (Aβ) and iron(iii) to result in aggregate structures displaying nanoscale heterogeneity in Aβ and iron chemistry, including the formation of potentially cytotoxic Fe0.

Effect of changes in laboratory light intensity on biochemistry and haemogram analysis

BackgroundTo investigate the effect of changes in laboratory light intensity on chemistry and whole blood analysis.Materials and MethodsThe light intensity of the laboratory environment was measured and chemical and whole blood analysis was performed on 20 patient blood samples. The light intensity was then increased using projectors and re-measured, and the chemical and whole blood analyses were repeated. The values of the tests pre- and post-light increase were compared by statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test.ResultsIncreasing light from 195 to 1,168 lux significantly altered the results of the lipase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and iron chemistry tests, (p<0.001 [11.3%], p=0.003 [2.2%], p=0.001 [2%] and p=<0.001 [1.2%], respectively). There was also a significant difference in platelet count (p=<0.001 [188%]).ConclusionsWe show that the platelet count is sensitive to changes in laboratory light intensity at clinically unacceptable levels. The lipase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and iron tests are also sensitive to changes in laboratory light intensity, but at clinically acceptable levels.

A synthesis and meta-analysis of the Fe chemistry of serpentinites and serpentine minerals

The iron chemistry of serpentinites and serpentine group minerals is often invoked as a record of the setting and conditions of serpentinization because Fe behaviour is influenced by reaction conditions. Iron can be partitioned into a variety of secondary mineral phases and undergo variable extents of oxidation and/or reduction during serpentinization. This behaviour influences geophysical, geochemical and biological aspects of serpentinizing systems and, more broadly, earth systems. Iron chemistry of serpentinites and serpentines is frequently analysed and reported for single systems. Interpretations of the controls on, and the implications of, Fe behaviour drawn from a single system are often widely extrapolated. There is a wealth of serpentinite/serpentine chemical composition data available in the literature. Consequently, compilation of a database including potential predictors of Fe behaviour and measures of Fe chemistry enables systematic investigation of trends in Fe behaviour across a variety of systems and conditions. The database presented here contains approximately 2000 individual data points including both bulk rock and serpentine mineral geochemical data which are paired whenever possible. Measures of total Fe and Fe oxidation state, which are more limited, are compiled with characteristics of the systems from which they were sampled. Observations of trends in Fe chemistry in serpentinites and serpentines across the variety of geologic systems and parameters will aid in verifying and strengthening interpretations made on the basis of Fe chemistry. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Serpentinite in the Earth system’.