The Bonding Characteristics and Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Organometallic Sandwich Clusters and Nanowires

Metal-ligand sandwich clusters and molecular wires, which are constituted by metal atoms and organic/inorganic ligands, show potential applications in molecular recognition, catalysis, nanocomposites, optoelectronic, and biological sensors due to their unique structure, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties. This review focuses on recent progress on organometallic sandwich complexes composed of 3d-transition metal or 4(5)f-lanthanide metal with polycyclic hydrocarbon rings like benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, pentalene, or cyclooctatetraene molecules and their hybrid sandwich structures. The stability, bonding characteristics, molecular magnetism, electronic, and transport properties are discussed. Current challenge and prospects in this field are also addressed. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.