Towards Oligoclusters: Chemistry, Properties and Applications

过渡金属簇是一种封闭的多面体分子，人们对其进行了多年的深入研究，最初是出于内在的兴趣，后来作为影响工业上重要化学转化的催化剂的模型/前体。最近，集群已被确定为有前途的光限制器，需要许多技术应用，包括光学设备和高功率激光的眼睛保护。通过专注于特定单体、低聚体（包括大环）、树突和聚合物团簇体系的合成、电子和光学性质，我们将发展基本的团簇化学，制备可加工的功能多金属材料，并探索团簇基材料作为光学限制器的可能用途。

Transition metal clusters are closed polyhedral molecules that have been studied intensively for many years, initially for intrinsic interest, and subsequently as models of / precursors for catalysts effecting industrially important chemical transformations. More recently, clusters have been identified as promising optical limiters, required for many technological applications including optical device and eye protection from high power lasers. By focussing on the syntheses, electronic and optical properties of specific monomeric, oligomeric (including macrocyclic), dendritic and polymeric cluster-containing systems, we will develop fundamental cluster chemistry, prepare processable functional polymetallic materials, and probe the possible utility of cluster-based materials as optical limiters.