The build-up of bimetallic transition metal clusters

The synthesis and reaction chemistry of high nuclearity transition metal carboayl clusters is briefly reviewed, and new synthetic strategies leading to the "rational" synthesis of bimetallic clusters containing metal cores of over l nm in dimension are described. The solid state structures of a number of osmium/ mercury, osmium/gold and ruthenium/copper bimetallic clusters are discussed with regard to the nature of their formation, and of their bonding and redox properties. Suggestions are made as to how the synthetic strategies can be adapted to prepare bimetallic clusters of industrially useful combinations of metals. Recent work showing that bimetallic nanoparticles prepared from clusters are catalytically active when anchored inside mesoporous silica is also discussed.