Summary

Research on metal clusters (compounds with metal-metal bonds) has undergone explosive growth and the subject is now perhaps one of the hottest'' topics in organometallic chemistry. The prospect of catalytic applications has motivated a large part of the research mentioned in this book - the long term goal being to exploit the unique properties of metal clusters to prepare catalysts with new activities and selectivities. This is the first book to address the role of metal clusters in catalysis. The coverage is up-to-date and is particularly comprehensive, ranging from molecular chemistry of clusters (synthesis, structure, thermochemistry, reactivity, and homogeneous catalysis) to supported clusters (molecular analogues on polymers, and metal oxides and metals in zeolite cages). Preparation by methods of organometallic surface chemistry and metal atom chemistry and characterization of surface structures by physical methods are highlighted. Concepts unifying metal cluster chemistry and the chemistry of metal surfaces are elucidated. Of particular value to the user will be the cluster and subject indexes. The cluster index is organized in alphabetical order according to the metal.