Structure and Bonding in [Sb@In8Sb12]3− and [Sb@In8Sb12]5−

We report the characterization of the compound [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₄[In₈Sb₁₃], which proves to contain a 1:1 mixture of [Sb@In₈Sb₁₂]^3? and [Sb@In₈Sb₁₂]^5?. The tri‐anion displays perfect T_h symmetry, the first completely inorganic molecule to do so, and contains eight equivalent In³⁺ centers in a cube. The gas‐phase potential energy surface of the penta‐anion has eight equivalent minima where the extra pair of electrons is localized on one In⁺ center, and these minima are linked by low‐lying transition states where the electron pair is delocalized over two adjacent centers. The best fit to the electron density is obtained from a model where the structure of the 5? cluster lies close to the gas‐phase transition state.     

Sr13□NbAs11 and Eu13□NbAs11 – Defect Variants of the Ca14AlSb11 Structure with asymmetric [As3]7− anions

The novel compounds Sr₁₃NbAs₁₁ and Eu₁₃NbAs₁₁ have been synthesized from SrAs, Eu₅As₄, Sr, Nb and As in niobium ampoules at 1173–1273 K. The tetragonal tI 200 phases are defect variants of the Ca₁₄AlSb₁₁ structure (space group I4₁/acd (no. 142); Sr₁₃□NbAs₁₁: a = 1649.8(2) and c = 2214.1(3); Eu₁₃□NbAs₁₁: a = 1632.9(8) and c = 2197.3(8) pm; Z = 8). The structures are built from the cations Sr²⁺, and Eu²⁺, respectively, and from the anions [NbAs₄]^7?, As^3?, and the linear polyanion [As₃]^7?. This polyanion (isosteric to I₃^?) is asymmetric with d(As? As) = 273.0 and 346.0 pm (Sr) and 274.7 and 335.6 pm (Eu), respectively. The bond lengths in the tetrahedral anions are d(Nb? As) = 250.8 and 251.1 pm. The complete structural arrangement is related to that of Cu₂O by forming two interpenetrating networks. The oxygen atoms are substituted by niobium centered As₄ tetrahedra, and the Cu atoms are substituted by As₆ octahedra (centered by Sr, Eu). The central As atoms of the polyanions connect the nets. Both As networks are enveloped by the remaining cations forming cubes, tetragonal antiprisms and capped trigonal prisms.     

Investigation of Large Polychloride Anions: [Cl11]−, [Cl12]2−, and [Cl13]−

For decades the chemistry of polyhalides was dominated by polyiodides and more recently also by an increasing number of polybromides. However, apart from a few structures containing trichloride anions and a single report on an octachloride dianion, [Cl₈]^2?, polychlorine compounds such as polychloride anions are unknown. Herein, we report on the synthesis and investigation of large polychloride monoanions such as [Cl₁₁]^? found in [AsPh₄][Cl₁₁], [PPh₄][Cl₁₁], and [PNP][Cl₁₁]?Cl₂, and [Cl₁₃]^? obtained in [PNP][Cl₁₃]. The polychloride dianion [Cl₁₂]^2? has been obtained in [NMe₃Ph]₂[Cl₁₂]. The novel compounds have been thoroughly characterized by NMR spectroscopy, single‐crystal Raman spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The assignment of their spectra is supported by molecular and periodic solid‐state quantum‐chemical calculations.     

Retention of the Zn−Zn bond in [Ge9Zn−ZnGe9]6− and Formation of [(Ge9Zn)−(Ge9)−(ZnGe9)]8− and Polymeric [−(Ge9Zn)2−−]

Reactions of Zn^I₂L₂ (where L=[HC(PPh₂NPh)]⁻) with solutions of the Zintl phase K₄Ge₉ in liquid ammonia lead to retention of the Zn−Zn bond and formation of the anion [(η⁴‐Ge₉)Zn−Zn(η⁴‐Ge₉)]⁶⁻, representing the first complex with a Zn−Zn unit carrying two cluster entities. The trimeric anion [(η⁴‐Ge₉)Zn{μ₂(η¹:η¹Ge₉)}Zn(η⁴‐Ge₉)]⁸⁻ forms as a side product, indicating that oxidation reactions also take place. The reaction of Zn₂Cp*₂ (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with K₄Ge₉ in ethylenediamine yielded the linear polymeric unit {[Zn[μ₂(η⁴:η¹Ge₉)]}²⁻ with the first head‐to‐tail arrangement of ten‐atom closo ‐clusters. All anions were obtained and structurally characterized as [A (2.2.2‐crypt)]⁺ salts (A =K, Rb). Copious computational analyses at a DFT‐PBE0/def2‐TZVPP/PCM level of theory confirm the experimental structures and support the stability of the two hypothetical ten vertex cluster fragments closo ‐[Ge₉Zn]²⁻ and (paramagnetic) [Ge₉Zn]³⁻.     

Titanium‐Substituted Polyoxotantalate Clusters Exhibiting Wide pH Stabilities: [Ti2Ta8O28]8− and [Ti12Ta6O44]10−

Two new substituted polyoxotantalate clusters, [Ti₂Ta₈O₂₈]^8? and [Ti₁₂Ta₆O₄₄]^10?, considerably expand the pH range where tantalates persist in aqueous solution. The structures of [Ti₂Ta₈O₂₈]^8? and [Ti₁₂Ta₆O₄₄]^10? are reported as tetramethylammonium salts after synthesis at hydrothermal conditions in aqueous solution. These Ti‐substituted polyoxotantalate clusters have analogues among recently discovered niobates, but are slightly larger and more persistent in solution. Most importantly, they exhibit a much wider range of pH stability than the familiar hexatantalate cluster, which is the only other tantalate known to be stable at highly basic pH conditions. These molecules are kinetically stable to near‐neutral pH, making them excellent synthons for further development into materials and catalysts, and an significant advance in adapting tantalates for use in aqueous solutions.     

Collision-induced dissociation of negative ions in the gas phase: [Aryl S]−, [aryl SO]− and [aryl SO2]−

Collision-induced dissociation of the ions [ArS]^?, [ArSO]^? and [ArSO₂]^? has uncovered a rich and varied ion chemistry. The major fragmentations of [ArS]^? are complex and occur without prior ring hydrogen scrambling: for example, [C₆H₅S]^?→[C₂HS]^? and [HS]^?; [p-CD₃C₆H₄S]^?→[C₆H₄S]^?˙, [CD₃C₄S]^? and [C₂HS]^?. In contrast, all decompositions of [C₆H₅CH₂S]^? are preceded by specific benzylic and phenyl hydrogen interchange reactions. [ArSO₂]^? and [ArSO₂]^? ions undergo rearrangement, e.g. [C₆H₅SO]^?→[C₆H₅O]^? and [C₆H₅S]^?; [C₆H₅SO₂]^?→[C₆H₅O] ^?. The ion [C₆H₅CH₂SO]^? eliminates water, this decomposition is preceded by benzylic and phenyl hydrogen exchange.     

[P4N4F8NMe2]− – An Aminophosphazenate Ion

TAS⁺[P₄N₄F₈NMe₂]^? ( 2 ) was prepared from TAS⁺[P₄N₄F₉]^? ( 1 ) via F/NMe₂ exchange using Me₃SiNMe₂. The salt was characterised by nmr‐spectroscopy and by X‐ray crystallography. The bonding situation in the anion is briefly discussed. The structural properties of the anion are compared with those of the starting material.