Titanium oxo/alkoxyl clusters anchored with photoactive ligands

[Display omitted] •An overview of titanium oxo clusters (TOCs) coordinated with photoactive ligands.•A summary of core and ligand structures of the TOCs with photoactive ligands.•Discussion of band gap and charge-transfer of the TOCs with photoactive ligands.•Potential application of the TOCs as new dyes in DSSCs and fluorescent materials. Titanium oxo-clusters can be considered as a molecular model of nano TiO2 for theoretical and experimental studies based on their precise structural information. They can be also used as single-source precursors for the preparation of TiO materials. Comprehensive information on synthesis, structures, and general characteristics of the clusters has been well reviewed. In this review, the contents and discussion are focused on the titanium oxo/alkoxyl-clusters (TOCs) anchored with π-conjugated photoactive ligands and the synergistic effect of the TiO core with the ligands, most of which belong to organic chromophores or dyes. This review offers a new perspective to insight into the recent progresses and challenges on the TOCs as advanced functional materials. Structures of the TOC cores and the ligands, photocurrent and photoluminescent properties, and multifunctional applications of these clusters in solar energy harvesting, photoelectric sensing and fluorescent displaying are summarized. The review covers the developing areas of TOCs in both molecular chemistry and material chemistry, which is expected to inspire the scientists on TOCs to put forward new research ideas and open up the new applications of TOCs in future.