[(Me3Si)Si]3EtGe9Pd(PPh3), a Pentafunctionalized Deltahedral Zintl Cluster: Synthesis,Structure, and Solution Dynamics

The title compound, which has a ten‐atom deltahedral cluster core of Ge₉Pd, was synthesized through insertion of Pd(PPh₃) into the tetrasubstituted nona‐germanium cluster [(Me₃Si)Si]₃EtGe₉ through a reaction of the latter with Pd(PPh₃)₄. This first reaction of neutral tetrasubstituted nine‐atom clusters shows that they retain reactivity despite their neutral charge. The Ge₉Pd core is the first that incorporates a 5‐connected transition metal other than from Group VI, a noble metal in this case. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction shows that the ten‐atom core is a closo‐cluster with the expected shape of a bicapped square antiprism. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy show that, in contrast to the parent tetra‐substituted [(Me₃Si)Si]₃EtGe₉, the new compound does not exhibit dynamics. Relativistic DFT calculations are used to explain the differences.     

Rationally functionalized deltahedral zintl ions: synthesis and characterization of [Ge9-ER3]3-, [R3E-Ge9-ER3]2-, and [R3E-Ge9-Ge9-ER3]4- (E=Ge, Sn; R=Me, Ph)

Six new derivatized deltahedral Zintl ions have been synthesized by reactions between the known Zintl ions Ge(9) (n-) with the halides R(3)EX and/or the corresponding anions R(3)E(-) for E=Ge or Sn. This rational approach is based on our previous discovery that these derivatization reactions are based on nucleophilic addition to the clusters. All species were structurally characterized as their salts with potassium countercations sequestered in 2,2,2-crypt or [18]crown-6 ether. The tin-containing anions were characterized also in solutions by (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy. The reaction types for such substitutions and the structures of the new anions are discussed.     

Order–disorder phenomena in crystalline phases of compounds E(XMe3)4 where E = C,Si, Ge and X = Si,Sn

We discuss the dynamic solid‐state properties of crystalline phases E(XMe₃)₄ as seen by solid‐state NMR and powder X‐ray diffraction. In the first part we will qualitatively describe some of the NMR tools suitable for such investigations. In the second part we will give examples from the group of solid compounds E(XMe₃)₄ with E = C, Si, Ge and X = Si, Sn. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Metallic Zintl Phase Ba3Si4 – Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Chemical Bonding,and Physical Properties

The Zintl phase Ba₃Si₄ has been synthesized from the elements at 1273 K as a single phase. No homogeneity range has been found. The compound decomposes peritectically at 1307(5) K to BaSi₂ and melt. The butterfly‐shaped Si₄⁶⁻ Zintl anion in the crystal structure of Ba₃Si₄ (Pearson symbol tP28, space group P4₂/mnm, a = 8.5233(3) Å, c = 11.8322(6) Å) shows only slightly different Si‐Si bond lengths of d(Si–Si) = 2.4183(6) Å (1×) and 2.4254(3) Å (4×). The compound is diamagnetic with χ ≈ −50 × 10⁻⁶ cm³ mol⁻¹. DC resistivity measurements show a high electrical resistivity (ρ(300 K) ≈ 1.2 × 10⁻³ Ω m) with positive temperature gradient dρ/dT. The temperature dependence of the isotropic signal shift and the spin‐lattice relaxation times in ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy confirms the metallic behavior. The experimental results are in accordance with the calculated electronic band structure, which indicates a metal with a low density of states at the Fermi level. The electron localization function (ELF) is used for analysis of chemical bonding. The reaction of solid Ba₃Si₄ with gaseous HCl leads to the oxidation of the Si₄⁶⁻ Zintl anion and yields nanoporous silicon.     

On the Reactivity of Silylated Ge9 Clusters: Synthesis and Characterization of [ZnCp*(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3)], [CuPiPr3(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3)], and [(CuPiPr3)4{Ge9(SiPh3)2}2]

We report on the synthesis of new derivatives of silylated clusters of the type [Ge₉(SiR₃)₃]^? (R = SiMe₃, Me = CH₃; R = Ph, Ph = C₆H₅) as well as on their reactivity towards copper and zinc compounds. The silylated cluster compounds were synthesized by heterogeneous reactions starting from the Zintl phase K₄Ge₉. Reaction of K[Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃] with ZnCl₂ leads to the already known dimeric compound [Zn(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)₂] ( 1 ), whereas upon the reaction with [ZnCp*₂] the coordination of [ZnCp*]⁺ to the cluster takes place (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) under the formation of [ZnCp*(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)] ( 2 ). A similar reaction leads to [CuPiPr₃(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)] ( 3 ) from [CuPiPr₃Cl] (iPr=isopropyl). Further we investigated the novel silylated cluster units [Ge₉(SiPh₃)₃]^? ( 4 ) and [Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂]^? ( 5 ), which could be identified by mass spectroscopy. Bis‐ and tris‐silylated species can be synthesized by the respective stoichiometric reactions, and the products were characterized by ESI‐MS and NMR experiments. These clusters show rather different reactivity. The reaction of the tris‐silylated anion 4 with [CuPiPr₃Cl] leads to [(CuPiPr₃)₃Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂]⁺ as shown from NMR experiments and to [(CuPiPr₃)₄{Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂}₂] ( 6 ), which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 6 shows a new type of coordination of the Cu atoms to the silylated Zintl clusters.     

Ge(9) {Si(SiMe(3) )(3) }(3) {SnPh(3) }]: A Tetrasubstituted and Neutral Deltahedral Nine-Atom Cluster

Reaching neutral territory: The title compound, the first tetrasubstituted deltahedral Zintl cluster, is no longer an ion (see picture; Ge?green, Si?purple, Sn?blue). It is a neutral molecule formed by a reaction of the trisilylated anion with Ph(3) SnCl.     

Tantalcluster in oxidischer Matrix – Synthese und Strukturen der gemischtvalenten Oxotantalate M2–δTa15O32 (M = K,Rb (δ = 0); M = Sr (δ = 0.15), Ba (δ = 0.12))

Tantalum Cluster in an Oxidic Matrix – Synthesis and Structures of Mixed-Valence Oxotantalates M_2–δTa₁₅O₃₂ (M = K, Rb (δ = 0); M = Sr (δ = 0.15), Ba (δ = 0.12)) The mixed-valent oxides Sr_1.85Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 1 ), Ba_1.88Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 2 ), K₂Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 3 ), Rb₂Ta₁₅O₃₂ ( 4 ) were prepared from appropriate mixtures of Ta₂O₅, tantalum and the corresponding carbonate at 1520–1670 K in sealed tantalum tubes. According to X-ray single crystal structure analyses the oxides crystallize in the space group R3¯, Z = 1. The lattice parameters in the hexagonal setting are a = 777.36(11), c = 3516.2(7) pm for 1 , a = 778.87(11), c = 3548.1(7) pm for 2 , a = 780.7(2), c = 3573.1(11) pm for 3 , and a = 781.90(11), c = 3593.0(7) pm for 4 . The oxide ions form a defect dense packing with the layer sequence chhhh. Anti-cuboctahedral sites are completely occupied by the alkali metal cations. The alkaline earth cations occupy 92 to 94% of such sites; they are displaced from the centres. Smaller voids are located in the centres of the cuboctahedral Ta₆O₁₂ clusters forming the characteristic structural unit of these low-valent oxotantalates. In case of 3 and 4 the clusters have 13 electrons, in case of 1 and 2 they have close to 15 electrons available for Ta–Ta-bonding. Moreover, the structures of the alkali and alkaline earth metal compounds differ notably with respect to the spectrum of Ta–O and Ta–Ta distances in the Ta₃O₁₃ octahedra triples forming another characteristic structural unit for these oxides. Such differences are traced back to distinct local charge balances for the uni- and divalent cations. The oxides 2 , 3 are semiconductors with band gaps ranging from 130 to 360 meV.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and electronic structure of the novel Zintl phase Ba2ZnP2

The novel Zintl phase dibarium zinc diphosphide (Ba₂ZnP₂) was synthesized for the first time. This was accomplished using the Pb flux technique, which allowed for the growth of crystals of adequate size for structural determination via single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. The Ba₂ZnP₂ compound was determined to crystallize in a body‐centered orthorhombic space group, Ibam (No. 72). Formally, this crystallographic arrangement belongs to the K₂SiP₂ structure type. Therefore, the structure can be best described as infinite [ZnP₂]^4? polyanionic chains with divalent Ba²⁺ cations located between the chains. All valence electrons are partitioned, which conforms to the Zintl–Klemm concept and suggests that Ba₂ZnP₂ is a valence‐precise composition. The electronic band structure of this new compound, computed with the aid of the TB–LMTO–ASA code, shows that Ba₂ZnP₂ is an intrinsic semiconductor with a band gap of ca 0.6 eV.     

Ca14Si19 – a Zintl Phase with a Novel Twodimensional Silicon Framework

Ca₁₄Si₁₉ is an overlooked binary phase in the Ca/Si system with a novel type of twodimensional silicon framework (R3 c, a = 867.85(6), c = 6852.8(8) pm, Z = 6). The basic building units are 3,3,3-barrelanes Si₁₁ which are linked by Si₃ bridges to form a twodimensional silicon framework leaving space for interstitial calcium atoms. The thickness of the silicon layers is about 800 pm. The compound is a semiconductor with a band gap of about E_G = 0.1 eV and a diamagnetic moment of χ_mole = ?9 · 10^?4 cm³mol^?1. According to the relatively high linking of silicon atoms the reaction with air and moisture is fairly slow.     

[Ge2]4− Dumbbells with Very Short Ge−Ge Distances in the Zintl Phase Li3NaGe2: A Solid‐State Equivalent to Molecular O2

The novel ternary Zintl phase Li₃NaGe₂ comprises alkali‐metal cations and [Ge₂]^4? dumbbells. The diatomic [Ge₂]^4? unit is characterized by the shortest Ge?Ge distance (2.390(1) Å) ever observed in a Zintl phase and thus represents the first Ge=Ge double bond under such conditions, as also suggested by the (8?N) rule. Raman measurements support these findings. The multiple‐bond character is confirmed by electronic‐structure calculations, and an upfield ⁶Li NMR shift of ?10.0 ppm, which was assigned to the Li cations surrounded by the π systems of three Ge dumbbells, further underlines this interpretation. For the unperturbed, ligand‐free dumbbell in Li₃NaGe₂, the π‐ bonding p_y and p_z orbitals are degenerate as in molecular oxygen, which has singly occupied orbitals. The partially filled π‐type bands of the neat solid Li₃NaGe₂ cross the Fermi level, resulting in metallic properties. Li₃NaGe₂ was synthesized from the elements as well as from binary reactants and subsequently characterized crystallographically.     

Zur Kenntnis der inversen Perowskite M3TO (M = Ca,Sr, Yb; T = Si,Ge, Sn,Pb)

On the Inverse Perovskites M₃TO (M = Ca, Sr, Yb; T = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) Ca₃SiO and seven further inverse perovskites M₃TO (M = Ca, Sr, Yb; T = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) were prepared in iron crucibles under argon by the reactions 6 M + TO₂ + T = 2 M₃TO, and 3 M+ TO = M₃TO for Yb₃PbO, respectively, at temperatures between 1123 to 1173 K. The crystal structures of all compounds were solved and refined using X—ray powder diffraction methods. Ca₃SiO, Ca₃GeO, Sr₃SiO, Sr₃GeO, Yb₃SiO and Yb₃GeO are orthorhombic perovskites (anti—GdFeO₃—type, space group Pbnm, No. 62, Z = 4). They show slightly distorted corner—sharing OM₆ octahedra that are tilted with respect to their positions in the ideal perovskite structure. The effective radii of the T^4— vary significantly with M²⁺. Thus, these perovskites can no longer be discussed in terms of the hard—sphere model, and Goldschmidt's tolerance factor does not apply. The ideal cubic representatives Yb₃SnO and Yb₃PbO were refined in space group Pm3¯m (anti—SrTiO₃ type, Z = 1).     

[{(CO)5Cr}6Ge6]2−, A Molecular Organometallic Derivative of the Unknown Zintl Ion [Ge6]2−

Octahedral clusters from p-block elements are rare ; however, the only known molecular aggregate of this kind, [{(CO)₅Cr}₆Sn₆]²⁻, has now been supplemented by the isoelectronic cluster [{(CO)₅Cr}₆Ge₆]²⁻ ( 1 ).