Structure and chemical properties of clusters

Ligand protected noble metal clusters have emerged as exemplary models to demonstrate the vast landscape of solution phase cluster chemistry. Here we present the diverse chemistry of such clusters with a focus to provide insights on structure-property relations. Starting with the ligand exchange reactions, one of the earliest of the chemistry of nanoparticles, and metal atom substitution or alloying, we provide a detailed account of intercluster reactions which have become a new dimension in cluster chemistry and nanomaterials science. The chapter also doscuss the importat role of structural dynamics in the chemical reactions of these clusters. The chapter concludes with a summary and future perspectives.