The metal surface selection rule: its extension to transition metal carbonyl clusters

The spherical harmonic models for the interpretation of the vibrational spectra of the terminal v(CO) modes are explained by analogy with the surface selection rules for metal surfaces and the distinction between perfect conductors and perfect insulators. This interpretation suggests that these spectra may be used to obtain insights into the electronic band structure of the metal atom clusters in these species. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.