Molecules, clusters, solids and catalysts in early transition metal sulphide systems

Abstract

Inorganic syntheses starting with the tetrathiometallates of molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium and rhenium produce new homonuclear transition metal sulphide (TMS) complexes and clusters by utilizing internal redox processes. The resultant molecular structures often contain features or fragments that resemble those in TMS solids. The homonuclear complexes serve synthetically as excellent ligands, particularly to low-valent organometallic metals. The resulting heteronuclear TMS clusters serve as precursors to TMS solids that are active hydrodesulphurization catalysts. Moreover, the same reactions that lead to the heteronuclear TMS clusters allow decoration of the edges of preformed MoS2 catalysts, leading to active catalytic materials.