Small Potassium Clusters

The molecules K ₂ , K ₃ , and K ₄ (structure shown on the right) have been isolated in krypton matrices at 15 K and characterized by Raman spectroscopy. Comparison of the experimental data with density functional calculations supports the prediction that potassium clusters are not only bonded by the valence electrons, but that there is also a contribution from the core electrons.