Optically active metal cluster compound

The compound FeCo2(CO)9S thus prepared forms large black crystals. In this form it is virtually air stable (not so in solution). Its purity can be checked by IR spectroscopy [vco bands in cyclohexane solution at 2105 (w), 2069 (vs), 2055(vs), 2044(s), 2030(m), 1983(m), 1951 (vw)cm-1]. It is moderately soluble in all organic solvents to give reddish-brown solutions. It has been used for various ligand substitution and metal exchange reactions whereby the first optically active clusters were obtained.14,15... 

The method can also be used to measure the catalytic activity of hydrogen uptake of various compounds. The metallic indicator layer has a high affinity for hydrogen but is not able to absorb it directly due to its nonactive oxide skin. This thin oxide layer does transport hydrogen to the optically active indicator layer, once the molecular hydrogen is dissociated by a catalyst (e.g. Pd-clusters [84]). On this... 

The research field of metal-oxide interfaces is very active, partly because of their important technological applications. For example, in heterogeneous catalysis, oxide powders or porous compounds, such as zeolites, are used as supports for transition metal clusters, because they provide a large - external or internal - specific area of contact with the metal. In many cases, it is also recognized that they modify the cluster reactivity (Dufour and Perdereau, 1988). Oxide surfaces, such as those of MgO or SrTiOs, whose quality and planarity are well controlled, have been used as substrates for the deposition of thin superconductor films. This has been particularly important since the discovery that some copper oxide based compounds remain superconductors above liquid nitrogen temperature. Thin metallic films are also deposited on various oxides in the fabrication of optical devices, or on glass in the fabrication of mirrors. 

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