Synthesis of Cu3Sn Alloy Nanocrystals through Sequential Reduction Induced by Gradual Increase of the Reaction Temperature

Cu₃Sn alloy nanocrystals are synthesized by sequential reduction of Cu and Sn precursors through a gradual increase of the reaction temperature. By transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV/Vis spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, the alloy formation mechanism of Cu₃Sn nanocrystals has been studied. The incremental increase of the reaction temperature sequentially induces the reduction of Sn, the diffusion of Sn into the preformed Cu nanocrystals, resulting in the intermediate phase of Cu–Sn alloy nanocrystals, and then the formation of Cu₃Sn alloy nanocrystals. We anticipate that the synthesis of Cu₃Sn alloy nanocrystals encourages studies toward the synthesis of various alloy nanomaterials.     

Kinetically Controlled Solid State Reactions in the System InCl/SnCl2

This paper reports on studies on the reaction of InCl with SnCl₂ to form ternary halides. The reaction route is investigated by x‐ray investigations at different temperatures. Depending on the modification of InCl as educt and on the temperature conditions the reaction follows different pathways which may include intermediate redox reactions of the type In⁺ + Sn²⁺ → In³⁺ + Sn⁰.     

Neue molekulare Indium‐Zinn‐Sauerstoff‐ und Indium‐Zinn‐Natrium‐Sauerstoff‐Chlor‐Cluster

Abstract. The five‐membered heteroelement cluster THF · Cl₂In(O^tBu)₃Sn reacts with the sodium stannate [Na(O^tBu)₃Sn]₂ to produce either the new oxo‐centered alkoxo cluster ClInO[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₃ ( 1 ) (in low yield) or the heteroleptic alkoxo cluster Sn(O^tBu)₃InCl₃Na[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₂ ( 2 ). X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that in compound 1 the polycyclic entity is made of three tin atoms which together with a central oxygen atom form a trigonal, almost planar triangle, perpendicular to which a further indium atom is connected through the oxygen atom. The metal atoms thus are arranged in a Sn₃In pyramid, the edges of which are all saturated by bridging tert‐butoxy groups. The indium atom has a further chloride ligand. Compound 2 has two trigonal bipyramids as building blocks which are fused together at a six coordinate indium atom. One of the bipyramids is of the type SnO₃In with tert‐butyl groups on the oxygen atoms, while the other has the composition InCl₃Na with chlorine atoms connecting the two metals. The sodium atom in 2 has further contacts to two plus one alkoxide groups which are part of a[Sn(O^tBu)₂]₂ dimer disposing of a Sn₂O₂ central cycle. The hetero element cluster in 2 thus combines three closed entities and its skeleton SnO₃InCl₃NaO₂Sn₂O₂ consists of three different metallic and two different non‐metallic elements.     

Controlling the Assembly of Chalcogenide Anions in Ionic Liquids: From Binary Ge/Se through Ternary Ge/Sn/Se to Binary Sn/Se Frameworks

Seven compounds with binary or ternary Ge/Se, Ge/Sn/Se, or Sn/Se anionic substructures crystallized upon the ionothermal reactions of [K₄(H₂O)₃][Ge₄Se₁₀] with SnCl₄ ? 5 H₂O or SnCl₂ in [BMMIm][BF₄] or [BMIm][BF₄] (BMMIm=1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethyl‐imidazolium, BMIm=1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium). The products were obtained by subtly varying the reaction conditions; the nature and amount of an additional amine was the most important parameter in the product selection and in determining the Sn/Ge ratio in the isolated products. The crystal structures of these chalcogenides were based on complex anions with unprecedented topologies that varied from discrete clusters (0D) through 1D chain structures or 2D layers to 3D frameworks. The architecture and composition of the title compounds were well reflected by their optical absorption behavior. Herein, we report a convenient approach for the generation of chalcogenidometallate phases with fine‐tunable electronic properties in ionic liquids, which have been inaccessible by traditional methods.     

Synthese und Charakterisierung von InIII–SnII‐Halogenido‐Alkoxiden und von Indiumtri‐tert‐butoxid

Synthesis and Characterization of In^III–Sn^II‐Halogenido‐Alkoxides and of Indiumtri‐ tert ‐butoxide Through sodium halide elimination between Indium(III) halides and sodium‐tri‐tert‐butoxistannate(II) or sodium‐tri‐tert‐butoxigermanate(II) the three new heterometallic and heteroleptic alkoxo compounds THF · Cl₂In(OtBu)₃Sn ( 1 ), THF · Br₂In(OtBu)₃Sn ( 2 ), and THF · Cl₂In‐ (OtBu)₃Ge ( 3 ), have been synthesized. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 in the solid state follow from single crystal X‐ray structure determinations while structural changes in solution may be derived from temperature dependant NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 are despite different halide atoms isostructural. Both crystallize in the ortho‐rhombic crystal system in space group Pbca with eight molecules per unit cell. The heavy atoms occupy the apical positions of empty trigonal bipyramids of almost point symmetry C_s(m) and are connected through oxygen atoms occupying the equatorial positions. The indium atoms in both compounds are in the centers of distorted octahedra from 4 oxygen and 2 halogen atoms whereas the tin atoms are coordinated by three oxygen atoms in a trigonal pyramidal fashion. Although the coordinative bonding of THF to indium leads to an asymmetry of the molecule the NMR spectra in solution are simple showing a more complex pattern at lower temperatures. Tri(tert‐butoxi)indium [In(OtBu)₃]₂ ( 4 ), is obtained through alcoholysis of In(N(Si(CH₃)₃)₂)₃ using tert‐butanol in toluene and is crystallized from hexane. The X‐ray structure determination of 4 seems to be the first one of a homoleptic and homometallic indiumalkoxide. Compound 4 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system in a dimeric form with eight molecules in the unit cell of space group C2/c. The dimeric units have C₂ symmetry and an almost planar In₂O₂ ring which originates from oxygen bridging of the monomers. Through this mutual Lewis acid base interaction the indium atoms get four oxygen ligands in a distorted tetrahedral environment.     

Smart Solution Chemistry to Sn‐Containing Intermetallic Compounds through a Self‐Disproportionation Process

Developing new methods to synthesize intermetallics is one of the most critical issues for the discovery and application of multifunctional metal materials; however, the synthesis of Sn‐containing intermetallics is challenging. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that a self‐disproportionation‐induced in situ process produces cavernous Sn?Cu intermetallics (Cu₃Sn and Cu₆Sn₅). The successful synthesis is realized by introducing inorganic metal salts (SnCl₂ ? 2 H₂O) to NaOH aqueous solution to form an intermediate product of reductant (Na₂SnO₂) and by employing steam pressures that enhance the reduction ability. Distinct from the traditional in situ reduction, the current reduction process avoided the uncontrolled phase composition and excessive use of organic regents. An insight into the mechanism was revealed for the Sn?Cu case. Moreover, this method could be extended to other Sn‐containing materials (Sn?Co, Sn?Ni). All these intermetallics were attempted in the catalytic effect on thermal decompositions of ammonium perchlorate. It is demonstrated that Cu₃Sn showed an outstanding catalytic performance. The superior property might be primarily originated from the intrinsic chemical compositions and cavernous morphology as well. We supposed that this smart solution reduction methodology reported here would provide a new recognition for the reduction reaction, and its modified strategy may be applied to the synthesis of other metals, intermetallics as well as some unknown materials.     

On Thermodynamic Characteristics of In–I System Compounds

The temperature dependences of the total vapour pressure for solid and liquid InI₂ and liquid InI₃ were measured by the static method with a membran‐gauge manometer. The heat capacities above phases and solid InI₃ were also obtained. The partial pressures In₂I₆, InI₃, InI, In₂I₄, I₂, I were calculated. Absolute entropies and enthalpies of formation InI₂ (crII), InI₂ (l), In₂I₄ (g), InI₃ (l), InI₃ (g), In₂I₆ (g) were obtained. We used the least square method to obtain the mutual consistent sets of data on thermodynamic characteristics of indium iodides in condensed and gaseous phases. The result of this work is the set of standard formation enthalpies and absolute entropies of the In–I system compounds.     

Laux‐type Oxidation of In0 Nanoparticles to In2O3 Retaining Particle Size and Colloidal Stability

As a conceptual study, In⁰ nanoparticles are obtained by NaBH₄‐driven reduction of InCl₃ · 4H₂O and transferred from a polar/hydrophilic diethylene glycol phase to a non‐polar hydrophobic dodecane phase for purification and stabilization. Finally, the In⁰ nanoparticles are oxidized via a Laux‐like reaction with nitrobenzene to In₂O₃ nanoparticles. The challenge of the reaction is to perform the final oxidation to In₂O₃ under mild conditions with the colloidal stability, particle size and particle size distribution of the initial In⁰ nanoparticles retained. To this concern, the mean diameter of the initial In⁰ nanoparticles changed from 11(1) to 14(2) nm of the oxidized In₂O₃ nanoparticles. Such multi‐step reaction, including reduction, nucleation, phase transfer, exchange of surface capping and oxidation are of increasing importance for nanoparticles. Especially, Laux‐type conditions with nitrobenzene as a molecular oxidizing agent of nanoparticles have not been used till now. Particle size, size distribution and chemical composition of the In⁰ and In₂O₃ nanoparticles are analyzed by DLS, SEM, XRD, FT‐IR and HRTEM.     

Lithiated Stannasilanes – Building Blocks for Monocyclic Si–Sn Rings

Dilithiated di(stannyl)oligosilanes (^tBu₂Sn(Li)– (SiMe₂)_n–Sn(Li)^tBu₂; 4 , n = 2; 5 , n = 3) were synthesized by the reaction of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) with the α,ω‐hydrido tin substituted oligosilanes (^tBu₂Sn(H)– (SiMe₂)_n–Sn(H)^tBu₂; 1 , n = 2; 2 , n = 3). Surprisingly, the reaction of 1 and 3 (^tBu₂Sn(H)–(SiMe₂)₄–Sn(H)^tBu₂) with LDA resulted not in the formation of the lithiated compound, but what one can find is the formation of the 5,5‐ditert.butyl‐octamethyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrasila‐5‐stannacyclopentane ( 8 ) (n = 4) in addition to the expected product 4 (n = 4) and the 3,3,6,6‐tetratert.butyl‐octamethyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetrasila‐3,6‐distannacyclohexane ( 7 ) (n = 3). Reactions of 4 and 5 with dimethyl and diphenyldichlorosilanes yielding monocyclic Si–Sn derivatives ( 9 – 11 ) are also discussed. The solid‐state structures of 7 and 11 were determined by X‐ray crystallography.     

Chemischer Transport und Sauerstoffionenleitfähigkeit von Mischkristallen im System In2O3/SnO2

Chemical Transport of Solid Solutions. 8. Transport Phenomena and Ionic Conductivity in the In₂O₃/SnO₂ System Chemical transport reactions are a suitable pathway to the preparation of In₂O₃‐rich and SnO₂‐rich mixed crystals coexisting in the In₂O₃/SnO₂ system (Cl₂ as transport agent, 1050 → 900 °C). Experiments are consistent with thermodynamic calculations. The existence of other phases in the system In₂O₃/SnO₂ could not be confirmed. The ionic conductivity of In₂O₃(SnO₂) was investigated.     

Zur Reaktion von cyclo‐Tristannazanen, [(CH3)2Sn–N(R)]3, mit den Trimethylderivaten des Aluminiums,Galliums und Indiums

The Reactions of cyclo ‐Tristannazanes, [(CH₃)₂Sn–N(R)]₃, with the Trimethyl Derivatives of Aluminium, Gallium, and Indium The cyclo‐tristannazanes [Me₂Sn–N(R)]₃ (with R = Me, ⁿPr, ⁱPr, ⁱBu) have been prepared from Me₂SnCl₂ and LiN(H)R in a 1 : 2 molar ratio. With MMe₃ (M = Al, Ga, In) they form the dimeric dimethylmetal trimethylstannyl(alkyl)amides [Me₂M–N(R)SnMe₃]₂ in good yields. The mass, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn), and vibrational spectra are discussed and compared with the spectra of the tristannazanes. Thermolysis of the gallium amidocompounds splits SnMe₄ to form methylgallium imido derivatives with cage structures. The crystal structures of selected stannylamido complexes have been determined by X‐ray structure analysis.     

Physicochemical processes at the boundary between some semiconducting solid solutions and contact alloys

Some adhesion and electric properties of boundaries between Bi₂Te₃-Sb₂Te₃-Gd₂Te₃ solid solution crystals and Bi-Pb-Sn and Bi-Sn alloys and the formation of various intermediate phases in these systems were studied. When the alloys are applied to crystal end faces, crystals are dissolved in contact material melt and contact material components diffuse into crystals. This is accompanied by the formation of intermediate phases such as PbTe and SbTe at the boundary. The 57 wt % Bi + 43 wt % Sn alloy was found to form contacts with the systems studied with fairly low contact resistances and wetting angles and high work of adhesion and adhesion strength.     

Morpholin als ambidenter Ligand

Morpholine as Ambident Ligand The reaction of MeInCl₂ with Li‐morpholinate [Li(Morph)] at 20 °C in THF gave after work‐up and recrystallization from diglyme the salt [Li(Diglyme){In₃Me₂Cl₄(Morph)₄}]·Diglyme ( 1 ). The treatment of the reaction mixture of MesInCl₂/Li(Morph) with wet THF yield as only isolated compound the coordination polymer [Li₆Cl₆(HMorph)₃] ( 2 ). Under similar conditions the reaction of InCl₃ with Li(Morph) led after work‐up in wet THF to [Li(Diglyme)₂][InCl₄(HMorph)₂] ( 3 ). 1 – 3 were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by X‐ray analysis. According to this, 1 contains the trinuclear anion [In₃Me₂Cl₄(Morph)₄]^? in which one of the morpholinate ligands is coordinated via N atom to the In³⁺ ions, while the O atom belongs to the coordination sphere of the Li⁺ ion. In 2 , LiCl forms a hexagonal heteroprismn, in which the morpholine molecules are responsible for a 3d network via coordination of both Lewis‐basic heteroatoms. 3 contains trans‐[InCl₄(Hmorph)₂]^? ions, connected by hydrogen bonding along [011].     

First‐Principles Study of Na‐Ion Battery Performance and Reaction Mechanism of Tin Sulfide as Negative Electrode

We study the Na‐ion battery characteristics of SnS as a negative electrode by first‐principles calculations. From energy analyses, we clarify the discharge reaction process of the Na/SnS half‐cell system. We show a phase diagram of Na?Sn?S ternary systems by constructing convex‐hull curves, and show a possible reaction route considering intermediate products in discharge reactions. Voltage‐capacity curves are calculated based on the Na?SnS reaction path that is obtained from the ternary phase diagram. It is found that the conversion reactions and subsequently the alloying reactions proceed in the SnS electrode, contributing to its high capacity compared with the metallic Sn electrode, in which only the alloying reactions progresses stepwise. To verify the calculated reaction process, x‐ray absorption spectra (XAS) are calculated and compared with experimental XAS at S K‐edge, showing meaningful XAS changes associated with Na₂S and SnS in discharged and charged states, respectively.     

A Tin Analogue of Carbenoid: Isolation and Reactivity of a Lithium Bis(imidazolin‐2‐imino)stannylenoid

The lithium bis(imino)stannylenoid (NIPr)₂Sn(Li)Cl ( 1 ; NIPr=bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐imino) was prepared by the reaction of LiNIPr with 0.5 equiv of SnCl₂?diox (diox=1,4‐dioxane) and the ambiphilic character of the compound was demonstrated by investigations into its reactivity. Treatment of 1 with I₂ or MeI yielded the oxidative addition products (NIPr)₂SnI₂ and (NIPr)₂Sn(Me)I, respectively. In contrast, the reaction of 1 with one equivalent of Me₃SiCl resulted in the formation of Me₃SiNIPr and the chlorostannylene dimer [NIPrSnCl]₂. Moreover, the substitution reaction of compound 1 with MeLi led to the formation of the methyl‐substituted stannate (NIPr)₂Sn(Li)Me.     

Antibacterial and physicochemical properties of co‐sputtered CuSn thin films

Copper‐tin thin films (CT TFs) were deposited on p‐type Si(100) by radio frequency (RF) magnetron co‐sputtering method. The atomic ratio of Cu and Sn showed complementary tendency with various RF powers on metal targets. Antibacterial test was conducted with Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. The ratio of Cu and Sn ions and the contact time with E. coli affected the antibacterial efficiency. Increasing the ratio of Cu ions and contact time showed higher antibacterial activity. Cu₂₀Sn₆ called as bronze structure, metallic Cu, and copper oxide phases were identified from X‐ray diffraction data after sterilization. The lattice strain that was changed due to the substitution of Cu and Sn was also calculated. The surface morphology of CT TFs was entirely grown to round shape when the dominant element was Sn. But, as the content of Cu increased, the surface morphology was changed from ball shape to sharp column shape. When fixed contact time, the intensities of Cu 2p increased but the intensities of Sn 3d decreased as increasing the atomic ratio of Cu. The oxidation of Cu was more sharply progressed as the RF power on Cu target increased. When fixed CT TFs, the intensities of Cu 2p were consistent but the intensities of Sn 3d_3/2 decreased as increasing contact time between CT TF and E. coli.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Low‐Valent Group 14 Element Compounds

The tetravalent germanium and tin compounds of the general formulae Ph*EX₃ (Ph* = C₆H₃Trip‐2,6, Trip = C₆H₂iPr₃‐2,4,6; E = Sn, X = Cl ( 1a ), Br ( 1b ); E = Ge, X = Cl ( 2 )) are synthesized by reaction of Ph*Li·OEt₂ with EX₄. The subsequent reaction of 1a , b with LiP(SiMe₃)₂ leads to Ph*EP(SiMe₃)₂ (E = Sn ( 3 ), Ge ( 4 )) and the diphosphane (Me₃Si)₂PP(SiMe₃)₂ by a redox reaction. In an alternative approach 3 and 4 are synthesized by using the corresponding divalent compounds Ph*ECl (E = Ge, Sn) in the reaction with LiP(SiMe₃)₂. The reactivity of Ph*SnCl is extensively investigated to give with LiP(H)Trip a tin(II)‐phosphane derivative Ph*SnP(H)Trip ( 6 ) and with Li₂PTrip a proposed product [Ph*SnPTrip]^– ( 7 ) with multiple bonding between tin and phosphorus. The latter feature is confirmed by DFT calculations on a model compound [PhSnPPh]^–. The reaction with Li[H₂PW(CO)₅] gives the oxo‐bridged tin compound [Ph*Sn{W(CO)₅}(μ‐O)₂SnPh*] ( 8 ) as the only isolable product. However, the existence of 8 as the bis‐hydroxo derivative [Ph*Sn{W(CO)₅}(μ‐OH)₂SnPh*] ( 8a ) is also possible. The Sn^IV derivatives Ph*Sn(OSiMe₃)₂Cl ( 9 ) and [Ph*Sn(μ‐O)Cl]₂ ( 10 ) are obtained by the oxidation of Ph*SnCl with bis(trimethylsilyl)peroxide and with Me₃NO, respectively. Besides the spectroscopic characterization of the isolated products compounds 1a , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 , and 10 are additionally characterized by X‐ray diffraction analysis.     

1,1‐Organoboration of bis(trimethylstannyl)ethyne with trimethylsilyl‐ and dimethylsilyl‐dialkylboryl‐substituted alkenes: organometallic‐substituted allenes

The reactions of bis(trimethylstannyl)ethyne, Me₃Sn–C?C–SnMe₃ ( 4 ), with trimethylsilyl‐ or dimethylsilyl‐dialkylboryl‐substituted alkenes 1 – 3 afford organometallic‐substituted allenes 5 , 6 and 8 , 9 in high yield. In the case of (E)‐2‐trimethylsilyl‐3‐diethylboryl‐2‐pentene ( 1) , a butadiene derivative 7 could be detected as an intermediate prior to rearrangement into the allene. All reactions were monitored by ²⁹Si and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, and the products were characterized by an extensive NMR data set (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reaktionen des Gallium‐haltigen Heterocyclus [Me2Ga{HNC(Me)}2CCN]

Reactions of the Gallium‐containing Heterocycle [Me₂Ga{HNC(Me)}₂CCN] The reaction of [Me₂Ga{HNC(Me)}₂CCN] ( 1 ) with fac‐[Mo(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] leads after addition of TMEDA to the molybdenum complex fac‐[Mo(CO)₃( 1 )(TMEDA)] ( 2 ). Under identical reaction conditions with fac‐[W(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] only the tetracarbonyle complex [W(CO)₄(TMEDA)] ( 3 ) could be isolated. Treatment of dilithiated 1 with Me₂SiCl₂ or InCl₃ initiate a fragmentation of the skeleton in 1 . Obtained were the salt [Me₂Ga(TMEDA)][Me₂GaCl₂] ( 4 ) and the indium complex [Me₂InCl(TMEDA)] ( 5 ), respectively. 2 — 5 were investigated by spectroscopical and spectrometrical methods as well as by X‐ray structure determinations. According to these 1 occupies a facial site in 2 by donation of the N‐Atom from the NC group in 1 . The molecules 2 are forming a network of hydrogen bonds. In 3 , the TMEDA ligand acts as an intramolecular chelate ligand. In the salt 4 , the cation as well as the anion are coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral environment, while in 5 a distorded trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination‐sphere is present, leading to a elongated In1‐Cl1 distance of 261.74(9) pm.     

Kristallstrukturen von TMEDA‐Addukten und Salzen mit protonierten TMEDA‐Molekülen

Crystal Structures of TMEDA Adducts and of Salts with Protonated TMEDA Molecules The reaction of TMEDA with two equivalents of [BH₃(SMe₂)] in toluene at 20 °C gives the adduct [TMEDA(BH₃)₂] ( 1 ). A similar reaction of pyrrolidine with [BH₃(SMe₂)] in a molar ratio of 1:1 leads to the adduct [pyrrolidine(BH₃)] ( 2 ). TMEDA can be introduced into the coordination sphere of In³⁺ by the treatment of InI₃ with TMEDA in toluene to give the complex [InI(TMEDA)] ( 3 ). The salt [HTMEDA]I ( 4 ), containing a mono‐protonated TMEDA molecule, is the result of the reprotonation of [NH₄]I and TMEDA in toluene at 20 °C. The salts [H₂TMEDA]—[InCl₄(TMEDA)]₂ ( 5 ) and [H₂TMEDA][InCl₅(THF)] ( 6 ) are formed in the reaction mixtures TMEDA/toluene/InCl₃/HCl and TMEDA/toluene/THF/InCl₃/HCl, respectively, whereupon 6 was characterized more closely. Crystals of [In₅I₆(OH)(TMEDA)₄]I·2, 5toluene ( 7 ·2.5toluene) can be obtained after treatment of InI₃ with non‐dried TMEDA; 4 was identifed as by‐product. 1 — 7 ·2.5toluene were partially investigated by NMR methods and vibrational spectroscopy. In all cases a characterization by single crystal X‐ray diffraction was performed. According to this, all nitrogen atoms in 1 and 2 are coordinated by BH₃ groups leading to a distorted tetrahedral environment at the nitrogen and the boron atoms. In 3 a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal coordination sphere at the In³⁺ is present. The apical positions are occupied by I3 and N3. Strong N‐H···N bridges, running along [001] is the feature in 4 ; the ^I—‐Ions are not involved into the system of H‐bridges. A ion triple, [H₂TMEDA][InCl₄(TMEDA)]₂, hold together by bifurcated H‐bridges is the dominating structural motif in 5 , whereas alternation bifurcated and linear H‐bridges, leading zu a zig‐zag chain along [100], is the build‐up principle of 6 . In 7 ·2.5toluene a complex In₅O₈ skeleton was formed, consisting of a virtual corner‐connected doubled heterocubane. At every heterocubane a corner, occupied by a metal ion, is missing. The coordination spheres of the In atoms of the complex cation are completed by TMEDA molecules and iodide ions.