Recent progresses in the investigation of rare-earth boron inverse sandwich clusters

While rare-earth borides represent a class of important materials in modern industries, there are few fundamental researches on their electronic structures and physicochemical properties. Recently, we have performed combined experimental and theoretical studies on rare-earth boron clusters and their cluster-assembled complexes, revealing a series of rare-earth inverse sandwich clusters with fascinating electronic structures and chemical bonding patterns. In this overview article, we summarize recent progresses in this area and provide a perspective view on the future development of rare-earth boride clusters. Understanding the electronic structures of these clusters helps to design materials of f-element (lanthanide and actinide) borides with critical physiochemical properties.