Tetrametallic group 13 'Mitsubishi' molecules

Under fairly disparate conditions tetrametallic aluminum complexes can be isolated that feature a central six-coordinate aluminum connected by bridging heteroatoms to three peripheral four-coordinate aluminum atoms. Based upon their striking resemblance to the Mitsubishi emblem these molecules will be given the name 'Mitsubishi™' [1]. This review will discuss the formation of these compounds and will seek to establish the guiding principles under which additional 'Mitsubishi™' compounds may be formed. The impact of these compounds on the formation of solid-state materials, particularly aluminum oxide, will be briefly discussed.