Chemistry of polycarbon species: from clusters to molecular devices

Polycarbon species with pi-conjugated systems interact with attached metal fragments to exhibit a variety of intriguing structural features and chemical properties. In this Perspective, following an introductory account of polycarbon cluster compounds and the unique chemical transformations on them which cannot easily be realized by mononuclear species, the properties of polynuclear complexes connected by pi-conjugated carbon-rich bridging ligands will be discussed with emphasis on those applicable to molecular electronics, e. g. wire-like behavior (molecular wires), higher dimensional systems (branch circuits), and switching functions.