Steric and electronic effects in metallophilic double salts

Abstract

This Perspective highlights our efforts to assemble infinite chains of metal atoms in double salts of the form [M]⁺[M]⁻ under the complementary influences of metallophilic interactions and electrostatic attraction. Our design strategy necessarily incorporates the significant steric constraints of one-dimensional assemblies as well as the more subtle and challenging electronic tuning of weak dispersion forces.