When Stereochemistry Raised Its Ugly Head in Coordination Chemistry—An Appreciation of Howard Flack

Chiral compounds have played an important role in the development of coordination chemistry. Unlike organic chemistry, where mechanistic rules allowed the establishment of absolute configurations for numerous compounds once a single absolute determination had been made, coordination compounds are more complex. This article discusses the development of crystallographic methods and the interplay with coordination chemistry. Most importantly, the development of the Flack parameter is identified as providing a routine method for determining the absolute configuration of coordination compounds.

True absolute determination of photoluminescence quantum yields by coupling multiwavelength thermal lens and photoluminescence spectroscopy

A novel true absolute method to determine photoluminescence quantum yields by coupling thermal lens and photoluminescence spectroscopy is demonstrated.