Metal‐Clusters: Preparation, Properties, Theory

Abstract Methods for the production of small molecules M n with 2 < n < 100 are critically discussed and explained. The characterization must take into account the existence of a size‐distribution as a consequence of the generation process. Several new spectroscopic methods have been developed for the observation of single particle properties in these mixtures. They all make use of the mass spectrometer as detector. Discussed are the ionization‐potentials as function of size which do not reveal an abrupt change in electronic properties during the transition from a discrete molecular to a metallic behaviour. Certain aspects of the optical spectra of a few diatomic and triatomic clusters are then presented. Quantumchemical elucidations in the small cluster‐range are necessary and very helpful. However, more realistic computations are needed to understand spectra.