dinuklearen

Dinuklearen is an adjective used in inorganic chemistry to describe species containing two metal nuclei within a single molecular framework. In coordination chemistry, dinuclear complexes consist of two metal ions connected by one or more bridging ligands or by a single multidentate ligand and may display an interaction between the centers. The two metal sites can be the same or different elements and may be in different oxidation states. Common structural motifs include bridging oxo, hydroxo, alkoxo, or carboxylate ligands that link the metals; some structures also feature a direct metal–metal bond.

Synthesis and characterization: Prepared by assembling two metal centers with suitable bridging ligands, or by self-assembly from dinuclear building blocks. Dinuklearen species are typically characterized by X-ray crystallography to determine the metal–metal distance and bridging geometry, and by spectroscopic methods such as UV–visible absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance; Mössbauer spectroscopy or X-ray absorption methods are used for certain metals.

Properties and applications: Dinuclear compounds often show cooperative reactivity between the two centers, enabling catalytic or activation steps not accessible to mononuclear complexes. Applications span catalysis of small-molecule transformations (e.g., oxygenation, hydrogen evolution), models of enzyme active sites with dinuclear cores, and studies of magnetic coupling between metal centers for materials science.