Heterometallic transition metal clusters and cluster-supported coordination polymers derived from Tp- and Tp*-based Mo(W) sulfido precursors

•The C3 symmetry of Tp and Tp* is essential in forming clusters.•Mo(W)-Cu-S version of biologically relevant PN-type clusters are discussed.•Some clusters are promising building blocks for cluster-based coordination polymers.•Cluster-based coordination polymers show enhanced NLO performances upon assembly.

This review summarizes the uses of Tp- and Tp*-based Mo(W) sulfido precursor compounds, namely, [Et4N][Tp*WS3] (P1), [Et4N][Tp*MoS(S4)] (P2), [Et4N][TpMoS(S4)] (P3) and [(Tp*WS2)2(μ-S2)] (P4) for the assembly of a diverse class of heterometallic clusters, predominantly Mo(W)-Cu-S clusters. Some of these clusters also feature as building blocks for cluster-supported coordination polymers to achieve enhanced third-order nonlinear optical performances.

Graphical abstractIn this review, the synthesis of a family of heterometallic Mo(W)-Cu-S clusters from four Tp- and Tp*-based Mo(W) sulfido precursor compounds is described. The assembly of Mo(W)-Cu-S cluster-supported coordination polymers using some of these discrete clusters as building blocks is also summarized. Their specific structures are briefly illustrated. In addition, the third-order nonlinear optical properties of some of these clusters and cluster-supported coordination polymers are discussed.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (231 K)Download as PowerPoint slide