Synthesis and characterization of single-source molecular precursors for the preparation of metal chalcogenides

Metal chalcogenides constitute an important family of functional materials. Subtle changes in shape, size and phase of these materials result in variations in physical properties (e.g. electronic and optical), which can be exploited for various technological applications. Several strategies have evolved recently for controlling shape, size and phase of these materials. This work discusses design and synthesis of single- source molecular precursors for the preparation of metal chalcogenides both in bulk and nano-size regime. Precursors for palladium chalcogenides, indium sulphides and II–VI materials are presented. Synthesis of a variety of palladium(II)/platinum(II) complexes with internally functionalised chalcogenolate ligands, selenocarboxylates; gallium and indium dithiolate complexes and zinc/cadmium/ mercury complexes with N,N-dimethylaminoalkylselenolate ligands and their characterization by NMR and X-ray crystallography are also discussed. Data on thermal behaviour of a few representative complexes, [Pd(SeCOAr)2(PR3)2], [PdCl(EN)(PR3)], [InMe2(SS)], [In(SS)3] and [M(E(CH2)nNMe2)2] (M = Zn, Cd, Hg; n = 2 or 3) are presented.