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  • Perspective
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Modern cluster design based on experiment and theory

Nature Reviews Chemistry volume 5, pages 338–347 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

For decades, chemists have explored cluster compounds according to theoretical models that have proved too simplistic to accurately predict cluster properties, stabilities and functions. By incorporating molecular symmetry into existing cluster models, we can better study real polyatomic molecules and have new guidelines for their design. This symmetry-adapted cluster model allows us to discover substances that shatter the conventional notion of clusters. Theoretical predictors will point to the viability of new clusters, whose syntheses can be realized with parallel advances in experimental methods. This Perspective describes these modern experimental and theoretical strategies for cluster design and how they may give rise to new fields in cluster chemistry.

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Fig. 1: Diverse synthetic methods afford diverse clusters.
Fig. 2: Cluster synthesis using macromolecular templates.
Fig. 3: Jellium and symmetry-adapted orbital models of clusters.
Fig. 4: A higher-order periodic table for symmetric molecular clusters.
Fig. 5: Designing new clusters with dynamical symmetry92.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology (ERATO; JPMJER1503 to K.Y.) and Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO; JPMJPR20AA to T.T.) programmes. We received KAKENHI Grants-in-Aid (JP15H05757 to K.Y., JP19K15583 to T.T.) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), a research grant from the Advanced Technology Institute (T.T.) and a research grant from the Yoshinori Ohsumi Fund for Fundamental Research (T.T.). We thank N. Haruta (Kyoto University) for theoretical treatments of clusters.

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  1. Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan

    Takamasa Tsukamoto, Tetsuya Kambe, Takane Imaoka & Kimihisa Yamamoto

  2. PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan

    Takamasa Tsukamoto

  3. ERATO, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan

    Takamasa Tsukamoto, Tetsuya Kambe, Takane Imaoka & Kimihisa Yamamoto

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T.T. wrote this manuscript, researched data for the article and contributed to discussion of content. This research project was promoted under the direction of K.Y. All the authors checked the manuscript before submission.

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Tsukamoto, T., Kambe, T., Imaoka, T. et al. Modern cluster design based on experiment and theory. Nat Rev Chem 5, 338–347 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-021-00267-4

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