Monodisperse Metal Clusters 10 Angstroms in Diameter in a Polymeric Host: The "Monomer as Solvent' Approach

A general methodology is presented for the dispersion of an inorganic compound within an organic polymer host through the use of solubilizing and polymerizable ligands. The dispersion of metal cluster cations 10 angstroms in diameter within a polymer host is achieved by free-radical polymerization of the hexafunctional metal cluster [Mo 6 Cl 8 (NVI) 6 ](triflate) 4 with bound polymerizable ligands in N -vinylimidazole (NVI) solutions. Copolymerization of the activated cluster-bound ligands with the surrounding medium probably plays a key role in preventing aggregation and produces near monodisperse molecular clusters within the polymer matrix.