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 {Znμ₂(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⁻.