Synthesis and Characterization of Transition Metal-main Group Cluster for Their Potential in Nanoparticle Synthesis and Catalytic Applications

Abstract

A large variety of organometallic transition metal clusters with various unique structural architectures are known to contain homo or hetero transition metal atoms joined together by substantial metal-metal bonds and containing a range of terminal and bridging ligands. Cluster compounds have been of immense interest for their structural variety and interesting applications in the field of biology, catalysis, and material chemistry. Recently, the chemistry of transition metal clusters with main group atoms acting as a bridge between two metal atoms has undergone rapid development due to their extra stability and facile synthetic methods. Some synthetic methodologies for obtaining transition metal–main group clusters of unique structural and reactivity features have been explored in current years. A major challenge in the area of transition metal cluster chemistry is the stability of the metal-metal bonds, in which the polar metal-metal bonds in high-nuclear clusters are prone to disintegration or decomposition. Our primary interest has been focused on the synthesis and reactivity of a variety of transition metal clusters by using chalcogen elements as clamps and bridging ligands. The thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of antimony based triiron clusters supported by chalcogenide main group atoms as bridging ligand. To our knowledge phosphine ligated triiron chalcogenide clusters have been well studied, while the stibine analog has so far remained unexplored. Furthermore, transition metal clusters containing both chalcogen and heavier pnictogens have been of interest to study their stability, electronic properties, structural framework, etc to understand their potential in relevant applications. The interest in the field of single source precursors has prompted us to synthesize different iron chalcogenide nanoparticles from predesigned molecular precursors by facile and simple reaction conditions to obtain pure phases of iron selenide and telluride and for different properties study and application purposes.