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The work described in this Thesis is a study of the synthesis and reactivity of some giant osmium carbonyl clusters and an investigation into their magnetic and electronic properties. Chapter One contains an overview of the concept of the chemical bond from Dalton to the present day ideas of Wade and Mingos, and their application to transition meial clusters. Chapter Two is an investigation into the fluxional and dynamic behaviour of mixed-metal clusters in solution using multinuclear N.M.R. (lH,iaC, and 3lP{1H}). The clusters [Os10C(CO)24MPR3]-(M = Cu, Ag or Au) and [Os1oC(CO)24(MPR3)(M>PR3)] (M = M'= Ag or Au, and M 5* M' Ag and Au) have been examined using these techniques. Chapter Three reports the synthesis of the dianion [Os11C(CO)27]2~, a cluster containing a trigonal prismatic geometry and its reaction with elec-trophiles such as H+, I2, [Cu(NCMe)4]PF6, AuPR3Cl and AgBF4. THe X-ray structure of [HOsnC(CO)27]~ is described, and the conversion of [OSllC(CO)27]2- to [Os10C(CO)24]2-. Chapter Four is concerned with the synthesis of giant osmium clusters using [Os10C(CO)24]2"~ as a precursor and reacting it with Hg(CF3COO)2 to form [Os20Hg(C)2(CO)42]2-, [Os30Hg2(C)3(CO)72]2-and [Os40Hg3(C)4(CO)oe] • The corresponding gold derivatives, [Os10C(CO)24AuBr]- and [Os20Au(C)2(CO)40]2~ have also been prepared and fully characterised by X-ray crystallography. Chapter Five describes the use of l87Os-1H satellites and Inversion-Recovery 1H n.m.r. as aids in the study of the dynamic behaviour of hydrido osmium carbonyl clusters in solution. In particular the work has focussed on differentiating between hydride ligands in tetrahedral or octahedral interstitial sites. The improved synthesis of [H4Osio(CO)24]3~ is reported and its reactions with electrophiles are discussed. The dianion reacts with H+ to form [H5Os10(CO)24]~ which has been characterised by an X-ray structural determination. Chapter Six presents UV/visible, magnetic and EPR measurements on a range of osmium carbonyl clusters prepared in Chapters Two to Five. A molecular orbital framework for understanding these results is presented. Finally Chapter Seven contains the experimental section and spectroscopic data.

Thesis--Ph. D., University of Hong Kong, 1982.

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 235-242).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-145).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 165-174).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 142-153).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 191-204).