| Abstract: | Trinuclear clusters of the early transition elements, i.e. those elements situated on the left-hand side of the transition series, represent the simplest types of clusters. They characteristically have a pronounced formation tendency and high stability; they are therefore produced under a wide variety of conditions and their triangular M3 skeleton is conserved in ligand exchange reactions. These clusters play a very important role in the chemistry of the respective elements, and especially those of the 4 d and 5 d series. Biochemical implications are of interest in connection with MoIV. This progress report presents a systematic account of the chemistry and the molecular and electronic structure of such compounds. A connection is also established with the crystal field treatment of mononuclear metal complexes. |
