1) Bimetallic and Cluster Chemistry

The group has developed various synthetic methodologies for preparing low-oxidation-state heterometallic complexes containing ligands such as CO, CN, isonitriles, phosphines, hydrocarbons, etc., often applying the isolobal analogy and using assembling, short-bite ligands. Unprecedented heterometallic metal-metal bonds and clusters with unique structural features were characterised. Reactivity studies include metallosite selectivity (metal recognition) and/or cooperativity effects between adjacent metal centres (synergistic effects). Applications range from the preparation of hybrid materials (sol-gel route) to the pioneering (1982) use of heterometallic cluster-derived bimetallic nanoparticles in heterogeneous catalysis, in collaboration with industry, first with a Pd-Mo and then Pd-Fe systems for the carbonylation of organic nitro derivatives to isocyanates, thus avoiding the use of phosgene.

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