title: Novel properties and potential applications of functional ligand-modified polyoxotitanate cages.
abstract: Functional ligand-modified polyoxotitanate (L-POT) cages of the general type [TixOy(OR)z(L)m] (OR = alkoxide, L = functional ligand) can be regarded as molecular fragments of surface-sensitized solid-state TiO2, and are of value as models for studying the interfacial charge and energy transfer between the bound functional ligands and a bulk semiconductor surface. These L-POTs have also had a marked impact in many other research fields, such as single-source precursors for TiO2 deposition, inorganic-organic hybrid material construction, photocatalysis, photoluminescence, asymmetric catalysis and gas adsorption. Their atomically well-defined structures provide the basis for the understanding of structure/property relationships and ultimately for the rational design of new cages targeting specific uses. This highlight focuses on recent advances in L-POTs research, with emphasis on their novel properties and potential applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK. dsw1000@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: He-Kuan
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Dominic S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Wright