Synthesis organometallic precursors

Metal clusters on supports are typically synthesized from organometallic precursors and often from metal carbonyls, as follows (1) The precursor metal cluster may be deposited onto a support surface from solution or (2) a mononuclear metal complex may react with the support to form an adsorbed metal complex that is treated to convert it into an adsorbed metal carbonyl cluster or (3) a mononuclear metal complex precursor may react with the support in a single reaction to form a metal carbonyl cluster bonded to the support. In a subsequent synthesis step, metal carbonyl clusters on a support may be treated to remove the carbonyl ligands, because these occupy bonding positions that limit the catalytic activity. 

The field of surface-mediated synthesis of metal carbonyl clusters has developed briskly in recent years [4-6], although many organometallic chemists still seem to be unfamiliar with the methods or consider themselves ill-equipped to carry them out. In a typical synthesis, a metal salt or an organometallic precursor is brought from solution or the gas phase onto a high-area porous metal oxide, and then gas-phase reactants are brought in contact with the sample to cause conversion of the surface species into the desired products. In these syntheses, characteristics such as the acid-base properties of the support influence fhe chemisfry, much as a solvenf or coreactant influences fhe chemisfry in a convenfional synfhesis. An advanfage of... 

Similar to chemical vapor deposition, reactants or precursors for chemical vapor synthesis are volatile metal-organics, carbonyls, hydrides, chlorides, etc. delivered to the hot-wall reactor as a vapor. A typical laboratory reactor consists of a precursor delivery system, a reaction zone, a particle collector, and a pumping system. Modification of the precursor delivery system and the reaction zone allows synthesis of pure oxide, doped oxide, or multi-component nanoparticles. For example, copper nanoparticles can be prepared from copper acetylacetone complexes [70], while europium doped yttiria can be obtained from their organometallic precursors [71]. 

Scheme 3.11 Synthesis of Au NPs from the organometallic precursor [Au( t-mesityl)]5...

Organometallic precursors are used in the synthesis of a variety of semiconducting materials and superconducting cuprates. Organoaluminium silicate precursors have been used for the synthesis of aluminosilicates [25], while polymeric methylsilyl-amines have been used to obtain SiC-Si3N4 fibres [26], Silicon nitride can also be made using organometallic precursors. 

Rao. C. N. R. Govindaraj, A. Sen, R. Satishkumar. B. C. Synthesis of multiwalled and single-walled nanotubes, aligned bundles and nanorods by employing organometallic precursors. Mater. Res. Innovations 1998 2. 128. 

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