Issue 71, 2023

A fresh perspective on metal ammonia molecular complexes and expanded metals: opportunities in catalysis and quantum information

Abstract

Recent advances in our comprehension of the electronic structure of metal ammonia complexes have opened avenues for novel materials with diffuse electrons. These complexes in their ground state can host peripheral “Rydberg” electrons which populate a hydrogenic-type shell model imitating atoms. Aggregates of such complexes form the so-called expanded or liquid metals. Expanded metals composed of d- and f-block metal ammonia complexes offer properties, such as magnetic moments and larger numbers of diffuse electrons, not present for alkali and alkaline earth (s-block) metals. In addition, tethering metal ammonia complexes via hydrocarbon chains (replacement of ammonia ligands with diamines) yields materials that can be used for redox catalysis and quantum computing, sensing, and optics. This perspective summarizes the recent findings for gas-phase isolated metal ammonia complexes and projects the obtained knowledge to the condensed phase regime. Possible applications for the newly introduced expanded metals and linked solvated electrons precursors are discussed and future directions are proposed.

Graphical abstract: A fresh perspective on metal ammonia molecular complexes and expanded metals: opportunities in catalysis and quantum information

Article information

Article type
Feature Article
Submitted
20 6 2023
Accepted
21 7 2023
First published
09 8 2023

Chem. Commun., 2023,59, 10572-10587

Author version available

A fresh perspective on metal ammonia molecular complexes and expanded metals: opportunities in catalysis and quantum information

B. A. Jackson, S. N. Khan and E. Miliordos, Chem. Commun., 2023, 59, 10572 DOI: 10.1039/D3CC02956E

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