Rare earth–metal bonding in molecular compounds: recent advances, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract

Metal–metal bonding in heterometallic complexes is of fundamental interest due to its implications in both bonding theory and new reactivities. In this review, structurally authenticated molecular compounds with direct bonds between rare earth metals and transition or main group metals are summarized. Novel aspects of their syntheses, properties and reactivities are highlighted. Special attention is given to the synthetic challenges and the use of bond polarity as a tool for designing molecular intermetalloids incorporating rare earth atoms and transition metals.