From simple monopyridine clusters [Mo6Br13(Py-R)][n-Bu4N] and hexapyridine clusters [Mo6X8(Py-R)6][OSO2CF3]4 (X = Br or I) to cluster-cored organometallic stars, dendrons, and dendrimers.

Hexasubstitution of apical triflate ligands in the octahedral clusters [M]2[Mo6X8(CF3SO3)6] (M = n-Bu4N or Cs, X = Br or I) and monosubstitution in [n-Bu4N]2[Mo6Br13(CF3SO3)] was carried out in tetrahydrofuran at 60 degrees C with simple pyridines and then extended to organometallic pyridines, yielding cluster-cored stars, and to dendronic polyallyl- and polyferrocenylpyridines, yielding cluster-cored polyallyl and polyferrocenyl dendrimers and dendrons. The orange pyridine-substituted clusters, whose pyridine protons are deshielded in 1H NMR (a practical tool for characterization), are air-stable and thermally stable with simple pyridines, light- and air-sensitive with organometallic pyridines, and air-fragile and thermally fragile with large dendronized pyridines.