Analyzing Transition Metal Carbonyl Clusters Using Skeletal Numbers

The introductory section of the book provides examples of a selected method of how the skeletal numbers can be applied to analyze and categorize transition metal carbonyl clusters. It also puts a distinction between the skeletal number (K) of an element and the skeletal linkages (K) of two or more skeletal elements bound together in a cluster. The relationship between the empirical formula K= ½ [E-V] and V=18n-2K for transition metal clusters or V= 8n-2K for main group elements is illustrated. The six fundamental equations for calculating cluster valence electrons (CVE) are provided. There are four articles which analyze and categorize clusters using mainly skeletal numbers approach and three others which categorize clusters applying the 4N series approach when the skeletal numbers had not yet been discovered. All in all the book equips the reader with powerful methods of analyzing and categorizing any cluster from the main group or transition metal elements.