Iminodiacetic acid stabilized 3d-4f clusters: Synthesis, structure, and magnetism

Clusters, composed of several to hundreds of metal atoms or ions encapsulated by organic ligands, occupy a unique intermediate state between molecules and bulk materials. With the rise of atomic precision manufacturing, clusters have garnered increasing attention for their diverse potential applications across various fields. Lanthanides (4f elements), essential for modern technology, possess a rich array of chemical properties and distinctive physicochemical characteristics due to their unique electronic configurations. Recent years have seen substantial progress in research on cluster systems incorporating 4f elements and first-row transition metals (3d elements), particularly in tailoring their structures and enhancing their performance. This review systematically summarizes the synthetic strategies, structural features, physicochemical properties, and potential applications of 3d-4f clusters based on iminodiacetic acid and its derivatives as ligands. Additionally, it highlights the challenges and future research directions in the field.