Cyanide-bridged oligonuclear complexes: features and attractions†

Abstract

The synthetic and structural chemistry as well as some physical and chemical properties of cyanide-bridged complexes containing two or more metal building blocks are discussed. Emphasis is laid on molecular shape and design and their consequences, including the effects of cyanide–isocyanide isomerism. Redox phenomena and molecular magnetism have been dealt with in relation to electronic communication across the cyanide bridges and metal–metal charge transfer. Long-range interactions between remote metal centers are discussed, and the few cases where they lead to remote chemical reactions are listed.