Conclusions.

The applications of photochemistry to the synthesis of key organometallic compounds have been highlighted.

It has been shown that photochemistry offers a route to otherwise inaccessible compounds such as the tris-acetonitrile cluster Ru3(CO)9(MeCN)3.

As with the mono- and bis- analogues, Ru3(CO)9(MeCN)3 has shown considerable potential for reaction chemistry.

We are now set to apply our photochemical techniques to a variety of pure and applied chemical problems.

Acknowledgments.

I thank the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council and Girton College Cambridge for financial support.

I am grateful to all my co-workers, in particular, C. Jones and G.P. Shields.

I am especially grateful to Professor Lord Lewis and Dr P.R. Raithby for all of their guidance and encouragement.

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