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Since the first description by Fievet, Lagier and Figlarz in 1989, the synthesis of nanoparticles in high-boiling, multivalent alcohols – so-called polyols – has been developed into a widely applied strategy, and nowadays belongs to the standard repertoire for preparing high-quality nanomaterials. The polyols take advantage of several features such as: (i) water-comparable solubility of simple metal-salt precursors; (ii) high boiling points (up to 320 °C); (iii) reducing properties for the instantaneous synthesis of metals; (iv) coordinating properties for surface functionalization and colloidal stabilisation of nanoparticles; (v) wide adaptability of the polyols ranging from low-weight ethylene glycol (EG) to high-weight polyethylene glycols (PEGs). This review summarises the status and perspectives on nanoscaled elemental metals, metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, and non-metal elements that were prepared via the polyol synthesis. Moreover, we summarize our results and concepts to expand the limits of the polyol synthesis. This includes strategies for less-noble metal synthesis, phase transfer reactions, photochemical reduction, NMR-based characterisation of polyol-functionalised nanoparticles, realisation of phase-pure and readily crystalline metal tungstates, stabilisation of low-melting elements, and controlled thermal decomposition of polyols to obtain high-quality, lanthanide-modified carbon dots (C-dots).

Four ternary selenoantimonates, Ag2SbSe3(enH) (I), KCu2SbSe3 (II), Cu2SbSe3(pdaH2)0.5 (III), and Cu2SbSe3(bdaH2)0.5 (IV) (en = ethylenediamine, pda = propanediamine, bda = butanediamine) were synthesized by solvothermal reactions using amines as solvents. The structures consist of M/Sb (M = Cu, Ag) intermetallic layers connected by either protonated amines or potassium ions. The optical bandgaps of these compounds were estimated from their optical absorption spectra (Kubelka-Munk function) with the values ranging from 0.9 to 1.8 eV. Thermal conductivity measurements were carried out on I, III, and IV, as well as on related compounds Cu2SbSe3(en)0.5 and Cu2SbSe3(en). In comparison with the inorganic counterpart compound CuSbSe2, the hybrid structures clearly show significantly reduced thermal conductivity, as a result of incorporation of inorganic-organic interface. The study demonstrates an effective approach to enhance the thermoelectric efficiency of such material systems.

Treatment of CpW(CO)3[η1-CH2C⋮C(CH2)nAr] (n = 0−1) with triflic acid catalysts (25 mol %) in cold CH2Cl2 (−95 °C) effects a new cyclocarbonylation reaction to give CpW(CO)2(π-cyclopentenonyl) and CpW(CO)2(π-cyclohexenonyl) compounds; these results provide direct evidence for addition of neutral aryl C−H bonds to coordinated carbonyl groups.

S-Vinyl dithiocarbonates are prepared by the reaction of potassium dithiocarbonates with vinyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborates in THF in good yields.

The room temperature ionic liquid it-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate (BPyBF4) is used as a `green' recyclable alternative to classical molecular solvents for the cyclocondensation of alpha-tosyloxyketones with 2-aminopyridine. Significant rate enhancements and improved yields have been observed.

An efficient method for the synthesis of N-aryl-5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones has been developed involving the N-arylation of 5-arylidene-2,4-thiazolidinediones derivatives with diaryliodonium...

Substituted 2-halomethyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofurans were synthesized in one pot and in mild yield from substituted o-allylphenols with diacetoxyiodobenzene in the presence of I2 or Br2 in dry CH2Cl2 under reflux.

A convenient and clean synthesis of halopyridine-2-amines has been provided by amination of halopyridines on KF-alumina under microwave irradiation with good yields.

The Knoevenagel condensation of Meldrum's acid with aromatic aldehydes proceeded efficiently in a reusable ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate, at room temperature in the absence of any catalyst with high yields.

Phthalic anhydride reacts rapidly with Aromatic and aliphatic amines in ionic liquid [Bmim][PF6] or [Bmim][BF4] at 130 °C to give N-aryl and N-alkylphthalimides in excellent yields.

Reaction of arylamines with 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tribromide ([bmim]Br3) under solvent-free conditions, gave selectively the corresponding monobromination products with excellent, yields.

An ionic liquid based on 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate is used as an efficient reusable reaction medium in the N-alkylation of cyclic imides with alkyl halides promoted by fluoride ion.