Wheel-shaped indium telluride nanoclusters co-crystallized with metal-phenanthroline complexes

Discrete Supertetrahedral Tn Chalcogenido Clusters Synthesized in Ionic Liquids: Crystal Structures and Photocatalytic Activity

Discrete supertetrahedral Tn chalcogenido clusters, which can be regarded as the smallest semiconductor quantum dots with precise chemical composition, have attracted considerable attention due to their outstanding photoluminescent, photoelectric, and photo/electrocatalytic properties. Such discrete molecular clusters are suitable for solution processing towards functional materials and can be used as precursors for constructing open-framework chalcogenides. Traditionally they were synthesized hydro(solvo)thermally with molecular solvents (e. g. water or organic amines), while until recently imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were found suitable for their preparation acting as reactive solvent and stabilizer for molecular clusters. We discuss herein recent advances in the syntheses, crystal structures, and selected properties of discrete supertetrahedral Tn chalcogenido clusters obtained in ILs. In particular, the enhanced photocatalytic properties of monodispersed Tn clusters in solvents are highlighted.

Unique Two-Dimensional Indium Telluride Templated by a Rare Wheel-Shaped Heterobimetallic Mn/In Cluster

A new indium telluride, [Mn_4.78In_2.22(ea)₁₂]_n[In_9.79Mn_0.21Te₁₇]_n (where Hea = ethanolamine), containing unprecedented nonsupertetrahedral [In_9.79Mn_0.21Te₂₁] units is the first example of a two-dimensional indium telluride framework templated by a rare high-nuclearity wheel-shaped heterometallic [Mn_4.78In_2.22(ea)₁₂]^4.22+ cluster. The photocurrent response and magnetic properties were investigated.