Infectious diseases are worldwide a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Fast and specific detection of pathogens such as bacteria is needed to combat these diseases. Optimal methods would be non-invasive and without extensive sample-taking/processing. Here, we developed a set of near infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanosensors and used them for remote fingerprinting of clinically important bacteria. The nanosensors are based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that fluoresce in the NIR optical tissue transparency window, which offers ultra-low background and high tissue penetration. They are chemically tailored to detect released metabolites as well as specific virulence factors (lipopolysaccharides, siderophores, DNases, proteases) and integrated into functional hydrogel arrays with 9 different sensors. These hydrogels are exposed to clinical isolates of 6 important bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli,…) and remote (≥25 cm) NIR imaging allows to identify and distinguish bacteria. Sensors are also spectrally encoded (900 nm, 1000 nm, 1250 nm) to differentiate the two major pathogens P. aeruginosa as well as S. aureus and penetrate tissue (>5 mm). This type of multiplexing with NIR fluorescent nanosensors enables remote detection and differentiation of important pathogens and the potential for smart surfaces.

The polymorphism of the title compound, C15H8N2S5, is reported, in which the (syn,syn) and (syn,anti) conformers simultaneously crystallized from a chloroform solution. The complete molecule of the (syn,syn) form is generated by a crystallographic twofold axis. The geometries of both conformers are compared in detail, revealing no significant differences in bond lengths, despite different bond angles because of the conformational changes. Analysis of the intermolecular interactions, aided by Hirshfeld surfaces, shows distinctive SS and SN contacts only for the (syn,anti) conformer. Aromatic –-stacking interactions are found for both conformers, which occur for the (syn,anti) conformer between pairs of molecules, but are continuous stacks in the (syn,syn) conformer. Non merohedral twinning was found for the crystal of the (syn,anti) conformer used for data collection.

Imaging of complex (biological) samples in the near-infrared (NIR) is beneficial due toreduced light scattering, absorption, phototoxicity, and autofluorescence. However, there arefew NIRfluorescent materials known and suitable for biomedical applications. Here weexfoliate the layered pigment $CaCuSi_4O_{10}$ (Egyptian Blue, EB) via ball milling and facile tipsonication into NIRfluorescent nanosheets (EB-NS). The size of EB-NS can be tailored todiameters <20 nm and heights down to 1 nm. EB-NSfluoresce at 910 nm and thefluorescenceintensity correlates with the number of $Cu^{2+}$ ions. Furthermore, EB-NS display no bleachingand high brightness compared with other NIRfluorophores. The versatility of EB-NS isdemonstrated by in-vivo single-particle tracking and microrheology measurements inDro-sophila melanogasterembryos. EB-NS can be uptaken by plants and remotely detected in alow-cost stand-off detection setup. In summary, EB-NS have the potential for a wide range ofbioimaging applications.

The apatite family is a mineral class that also contains the biologically very important hydroxyapatite. Here, we are reporting on the synthesis and characterization of a fully hydride‐substituted strontium apatite, which could be obtained via mechanochemical synthesis and subsequent annealing treatment. The full substitution by hydride anions is proven by various methods, such as neutron powder diffraction of a deuterated sample Sr5(PO4)3D, as well 1H MAS solid state NMR combined with quantum chemical calculations, vibrational spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The present work expands the apatite family from the known halide and hydroxide apatites to the fully hydride‐anion‐substituted variant and is expected to open up a new field of materials containing coexistent phosphate and hydride anions.

Despite major advances, organometallic C-H transformations are dominated by precious 5d and 4d transition metals, such as iridium, palladium and rhodium. In contrast, the unique potential of less toxic Earth-abundant 3d metals has been underexplored. While iron is the most naturally abundant transition metal, its use in oxidative, organometallic C-H activation has faced major limitations due to the need for superstoichiometric amounts of corrosive, cost-intensive DCIB as the sacrificial oxidant. To fully address these restrictions, we describe herein the unprecedented merger of electrosynthesis with iron-catalyzed C-H activation through oxidation-induced reductive elimination. Thus, ferra- and manganaelectro-catalyzed C-H arylations were accomplished at mild reaction temperatures with ample scope by the action of sustainable iron catalysts, employing electricity as a benign oxidant.