Metal cluster chemistry is on the cutting edge between molecular and solid-state chemistry and has therefore had a great impact on the researchers working on organic, co-ordination, and solid-state chemistry, catalysis, physics, and materials science. The development of sophisticated synthetic techniques has led to enormous progress in the synthesis of this diverse class of compounds. The number of clusters is growing rapidly, since the possible variations in the metal and ligand sphere are numerous. Modern bonding theories, such as the isolobal principle, have allowed a better understanding of the structures and properties of metal clusters, and thus paved the way for the usage of these versatile materials. Catalysis and nanomaterials are just two of the very promising application-oriented fields. About 90 contributions, written by international experts in the metal cluster research field, provide extensive coverage of different aspects of cluster chemistry, ranging from synthesis, structure determination, and dynamics to applications. State-of-the-art information, a collection of structural data and illustrations, extensive coverage of the most important publications of the last decade, and many more features should make this three-volume set a complete single-source guide for researchers working on cluster chemistry.

Table of Contents

Solid state chemistry; molecular clusters (including synthesis, reacitvity, and properties); metal clusters in catalysis; nanomaterials; theoretical aspects.