Microwave-Assisted Solvothermal Synthesis of Disk and Cubane Shaped Coordination Clusters: Key Ligands and Inner Bridges Regulation

Microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis (MASS) has emerged as an effective method for the preparation of targeted organic molecules, coordination clusters and infinite networks and minerals. Different types of coordination clusters, one dimensional (1D) chains, two-dimensional (2D) layers and three-dimensional (3D) frameworks have recently been synthesized – in high yields, short reaction times, and improved uniformity. The success is due to uniform heating by the microwave radiation. In this minireview, we intend to demonstrate the advantages of MASS compared to solvothermal synthesis using traditional heating ovens in the preparation of disk and cube coordination clusters as typical examples. There is great variability for the key peripheral ligands as well as inner bridges in the formation of disk and cube clusters, which affect not only the symmetry, weak interaction, packing mode of the clusters, but also the effectiveness of microwave synthesis. In addition, the success in the preparation of several novel polynuclear clusters broadens the practicability of microwave assisted reactions.