Trinuclear Molybdenum and Tungsten Cluster Chalcogenides From Solid State to Molecular Materials

Trinuclear Molybdenum and Tungsten Cluster Chalcogenides From Solid State to Molecular Materials 

The exploratory solid-state synthetic work of John Corbett has illustrated the diversity, beauty and richness of this chemistry with a large variety of new phases and structures [1-3]. John Corbett was also the pioneer who recognized the potential of these cluster polymers in the development of a versatile solution chemistry [4]. Once the cluster unit has been identified in the solid state, the excision of this motif appears as the most rational method for accessing these cluster complexes in solution [5]. 

Synthesis and Structure of Molecular M3Q4 and M3Q7 Cluster Complexes 

A systematic study of this class of compounds did not start until twenty years later and led to the preparation of a series of M3Q7X4 (M = Mo, W Q = S, Se and X = C1, Br) inorganic polymers by high-temperature reactions (ca. 350 °C) of the elements in a sealed tube [10-14]. The interest on these cluster phases was mainly motivated by their excellent role as synthons for the preparation of molecular M3Q7 and M3Q4 cluster complexes, as will be presented in this section. 

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