Chromatography of glycols. Regularities in the retention of C3−C6 branched glycols in gas-solid and gas-liquid chromatography

Summary Linear correlation between the major physico-chemical properties of glycols and their relative retention volumes measured by gas-solid (GSC) and gas-liquid (GLC) chromatography is shown. The coefficients of the linear regression equations describing the relationship between the relative retention volumes and the physico-chemical parameters (boiling point, density, etc.) are given. The values of the change in the free energy for the stationary phases studied are given as well as the increments of this change per −CH₂- and CH₃-group. The main factors determining the retention of branched glycols on Polysorb, Tween and poly(ethylene glycol) are shown to be the distance between the hydroxyl groups in their molecules, the presence of alkyl substituents and the type and the number of these substituents.     

The synthesis of heteronuclear clusters containing cyclopentadienyl- or pentamethylcyclopentadienyliridium and ruthenium or osmium

The reaction of Cp*Ir(CO)₂ or CpIr(CO)₂ with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ under a hydrogen atmosphere afforded the heterometallic clusters Cp*IrRu₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ and CpIrRu₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀, respectively, in moderate yields. In the former reaction, the tetrahydrido cluster Cp*IrRu₃(μ-H)₄(CO)₉ was also formed in trace amounts, although this cluster can be obtained in high yields by the hydrogenation of Cp*IrRu₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀; the Cp analogue was not obtainable. The reaction of Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ with Cp*Ir(CO)₂ afforded the osmium analogue Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ in 70% yield, along with a trace amount of the pentanuclear cluster Cp*IrOs₄(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃. Hydrogenation of Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ afforded Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₄(CO)₉ in excellent yield. The reaction of Cp*Ir(CO)₂ with Os₃(CO)₁₀(CH₃CN)₂ afforded the known trinuclear cluster Cp*IrOs₂(CO)₉ and the novel cluster Cp*IrOs₃(CO)₁₁. Solution-state NMR studies show that the hydrides in the iridium-ruthenium clusters are highly fluxional even at low temperatures while those in the iridium-osmium clusters are less so.     

Correlation of the reactivity of organometallic chlorides in the oxidation of magnesium with the electronic structure of the organic moiety

From the linear correlation of the chemical shift (¹⁹F) in compounds R-C≡C-C₆H₄-F-p (reference PhF, solvent to-luene) with the Hammett σ _p constants of substituents R, the σ _p constants of organometallic substituents R [Cp(CO)₃Mo, Cp(CO)₃W, Cp(CO)₂Fe, Cp(PPh₃)Ni, Ph₂Bi, Ph₂Sb, Ph₃Sn] were calculated. The logarithm of the rate constant of magnesium oxidation with compounds RCl linearly correlates with the σ _p constants of the organometallic groups R.     

meso‐Bis{η5‐1‐[1‐(dimethylamino)ethenyl]‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl}iron(II) and the cobalt(II) analogue

The two title crystalline compounds, viz.meso‐bis{η⁵‐1‐[1‐(dimethylamino)ethenyl]‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl}iron(II), [Fe(C₁₂H₂₀NSi)₂], (II), and meso‐bis{η⁵‐1‐[1‐(dimethylamino)ethenyl]‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl}cobalt(II), [Co(C₁₂H₂₀NSi)₂], (III), were obtained by the reaction of lithium 1‐[1‐(dimethylamino)ethenyl]‐3‐(trimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienide with FeCl₂ and CoCl₂, respectively. For (II), the trimethylsilyl‐ and dimethylaminoethenyl‐substituted cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings present a nearly eclipsed conformation, and the two pairs of trimethylsilyl and dimethylaminoethenyl substituents on the Cp rings are arranged in an interlocked fashion. In the case of (III), the same substituted Cp rings are perfectly staggered leading to a crystallographically centrosymmetric molecular structure, and the two trimethylsilyl and two dimethylaminoethenyl substituents are oriented in opposite directions, respectively, with the trimethylsilyl group of one Cp ring and the dimethylaminoethenyl group of the other Cp ring arranged more closely than in (II).     

Reaction of the heteronuclear cluster Cp*IrOs3(μ-H)4(CO)9 with alkynes: An unusual case of amine activation

Reaction of the heteronuclear cluster Cp*IrOs₃(μ-H)₄(CO)₉ with alkynes is activated by excess amine to afford the butterfly clusters Cp*IrOs₃(CO)₉(RCCR′); hinge-apex isomers are formed. In the case of PhCCH, another cluster Cp*IrOs₃(CO)₉(CCHPh)₂, which contained two alkenyl moieties was also isolated.     

Exploring Cu/Al cluster growth and reactivity: from embryonic building blocks to intermetalloid,open-shell superatoms

Cluster growth reactions in the system [Cu₅](Mes)₅ + [Al₄](Cp*)₄ (Mes = mesitylene, Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadiene) were explored and monitored by in situ LIFDI-MS and ¹H-NMR. Feedback into experimental design allowed for an informed choice and precise adjustment of reaction conditions and led to isolation of the intermetallic cluster [Cu₄Al₄](Cp*)₅(Mes) (1). Cluster 1 reacts with excess 3-hexyne to yield the triangular cluster [Cu₂Al](Cp*)₃ (2). The two embryonic [Cu₄Al₄](Cp*)₅(Mes) and [Cu₂Al](Cp*)₃ clusters 1 and 2, respectively, were shown to be intermediates in the formation of an inseparable composite of the closely related clusters [Cu₇Al₆](Cp*)₆ (3), [HCu₇Al₆](Cp*)₆ (3H) and [Cu₈Al₆](Cp*)₆ (4), which just differ by one Cu core atom. The radical nature of the open-shell superatomic [Cu₇Al₆](Cp*)₆ cluster 3 is reflected in its reactivity towards addition of one Cu core atom leading to the closed shell superatom [Cu₈Al₆](Cp*)₆ (4), and as well by its ability to undergo σ(C–H) and σ(Si–H) activation reactions of C₆H₅CH₃ (toluene) and (TMS)₃SiH (TMS = tris(trimethylsilyl)).

Cu/Al cluster growth reactions leading to open- and closed-shell superatoms are investigated. Therein, LIFDI-MS is presented as a powerful technique for the in situ detection of cluster identities and reactivity patterns.     

Synthese und Eigenschaften Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-substituierter PPC- bzw. AsPC-Dreiring-Systeme

Synthesis and Properties of Pentamethylcyclopentadienylsubstituted PPC and AsPC three-membered Rings Via the reaction of bis-(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)diphosphene [Cp*P?PCp*, 1 ] and 1-(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-2-(2,4,6-tri^tbutylphenyl)- diphosphene [Cp*P?PMes*, 2 ] with the diazomethanes N₂CHR [R = H, Si(CH₃)₃] the four new diphosphiranes Cp*PPCp*CHSi(CH₃)₃, 4a , Cp*PPMes*CHSi(CH₃)₃, 4b , Cp*PPCp*CH₂, 5a , Cp*PPMes*CH₂, 5b , are obtained. The formation of 4a results via a 2 + 3-cyclo-addition product, which could be proved by nmr spectroscopy. The reaction of As-(pentamenthylcyclopentadienyl)-P-(2,4,6-tri^tbutylphenyl) arsaphosphene [Cp*As?PMes*, 3 ] with diazomethane leads to 1-(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-2-(2,4,6-tri^tbutylphenyl)-1-arsa-2 -phosphacyclopropane [phospharsiran, Cp*AsPMes*CH₂, 6 ]. Analysis of the structures by nmr spectroscopy gives clear evidence for a trans-orientation of the substituents at the El? P bond (El = As, P) in all of the three membered ring systems. For the diphosphirane Cp*PPCp*CH₂ ( 5a ) a Cp*-phosphorus bond cleavage by thermolysis cannot be observed. From the reaction of compound 5a with Cr(CO)₅thf one obtains 1-(pentacarbonylchrom)-1,2-bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-1,2- diphosphacyclo-propane, 7 .     

The Intermetalloid Cluster [(Cp*AlCu)6H4], Embedding a Cu6 Core Inside an Octahedral Al6 Shell: Molecular Models of Hume–Rothery Nanophases

Defined molecular models for the surface chemistry of Hume–Rothery nanophases related to catalysis are very rare. The Al‐Cu intermetalloid cluster [(Cp*AlCu)₆H₄] was selectively obtained from the clean reaction of [(Cp*Al)₄] and [(Ph₃PCuH)₆]. The stronger affinity of Cp*Al towards Cu sweeps the phosphine ligands from the copper hydride precursor and furnishes an octahedral Al₆ cage to encapsulate the Cu₆ core. The resulting hydrido cluster M₁₂H₄ reacts with benzonitrile to give the stoichiometric hydrometalation product [(Cp*AlCu)₆H₃(N=CHPh)].     

Influence of Changing the Remote Substituents on Charge Transfer Properties of Cyanide-Bridged Trinuclear Fe−Ru−Fe Complexes

To investigate the effect of ligand remote (>10 Å) substituents on the bridging metal center on the metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) properties in cyanidometa-bridged complexes, a series of new cyanidometal-bridged complexes and their one-electron and two-electron oxidation products have been synthesized and well characterized (namely, trans-[Cp(dppe)Fe−NC−(L)Ru(PPh₃)−CN−Fe(dppe)Cp][PF₆]_n (n=2, 3, 4) (L=dmptpy, 1[PF₆]_n ; L=meoptpy, 2[PF₆]_n ; L=t-Buptpy, 3[PF₆]_n ) (Cp=1,3-cyclopentadiene, dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, PPh₃=triphenylphosphine, dmptpy=4′-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2′,6′,2′′-terpyridine, meoptpy=4′-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2′,6′,2′′-terpyridine, t-Buptpy=4′-(4-tertbutylphenyl)-2,2′,6′,2′′-terpyridine)). The investigations suggest that the cyanido-stretching (ν_CN) vibration energy for the complexes is unsensitive to the electron-donating ability change of the remote substituents of the cyanidometal bridging auxiliary ligand from tertbutyl, methoxy to dimethylamino group. However, the MMCT energies of the one- and two-electron oxidation complexes are still sensitive to the remote substituents of the ligand on the bridging metal center, and decreases with the increase of the electron-donating ability of the remote substituents from tertbutyl, methoxy to dimethylamino group. All one-electron and two-electron oxidation products belong to Class II mixed valence compounds according to the classification of Robin and Day.     

Isomerism of [FeMM′(μ3-Q)(CO)7CpCp′] heterometallic clusters (Q = Se, Te; M, M′ = Mo, W; Cp = η5-C5H5; Cp′ = Cp, η5-C5(CH3)5) in solids

The crystal structures of three cluster compounds: [(µ-H)Fe₂Mo(µ₃-Te)(CO)₈Cp*], [FeMo₂(µ₃-Te)(CO)_7x Cp*₂], and [FeMoW(µ₃-Te)(CO)₇CpCp*], where Cp = ⁵-C₅H₅, Cp* = ⁵-C₅ (CH₃)₅, have been investigated. In the cluster with a tetrahedral {FeMo₂Te} core, one can observe positional isomerism of the carbonyl and cyclopentadienyl ligands with respect to the plane through the Fe and Te atoms and the center of the Mo₂bond, resulting in two mirror isomers in the racemic crystal. In the cluster with the {FeMoWTe} core, additional chirality causes the formation of four diastereoisomers. Earlier, the structure of the [FeMoW(µ₃-Se)(CO)₇Cp] cluster with Mo and W atoms coordinated to identical Cp-ligands has been structurally defined. In this crystal, statistical disordering of Mo and W over the metal positions is observed. In the [FeMo(Cp*)W(Cp)(µ₃-Te)(CO)₇] cluster studied here, the Mo and W atoms are coordinated to different cyclopentadienyl ligands. Due to this, two of four diastereoisomers were isolated as ordered racemic crystals; the other two are nonexistent for steric reasons.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by A. V. Virovets, S. N. Konchenko, P. S. Yuferov, and D. FenskeTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 522–527, May–June 2004.     

Synthesis and characterization of group 6-9 metal-rich homo- and hetero-metallaboranes

To isolate the metal-rich metallaboranes of group 6-9, we have performed the reaction of various reaction intermediates, generally synthesized from the low-temperature reactions of [Cp1WCl₄] (Cp1 ​= ​η⁵-C₅Me₅), [(Cp1RhCl₂)₂], or [(Cp1RuCl₂)₂] and [LiBH₄ THF] with different transition metal carbonyl compounds. For example, the thermolytic reaction of [Fe₂(CO)₉] with an in situ generated intermediate, produced from the reaction of [Cp1WCl₄] and [LiBH₄THF] afforded a trigonal bipyramidal cluster, [(μ₃-BH)₂H₂{Cp1W(CO)₂}{Cp1W(CO)}{Fe(CO)₃}], 1 which contains a triply-bridging bis-{hydrido(borylene)} ligand. Similarly, the reaction of [Co₂(CO)₈] with nido-[(RhCp1)₂(B₃H₇)] I at room temperature, yielded an octahedral cluster, [(Cp1Rh)₂B₂H₂Co₂(CO)₅(μ₃-CO)], 2. In this reaction, nido-I having (n+2) skeletal electron pairs (SEP) goes on for the formation of a closo-rhodaborane with (n+1) SEP. In addition, we have isolated a trinuclear bis(μ₃-oxo) metalla cluster [(Cp1Ru)₃(μ₃-OBF₃)₂(μ-H)], 3. Compound 3 can be considered as cluster having trigonal bipyramidal geometry with exo-BF₃ fragment. All these clusters were characterized by IR, mass spectrometry, NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Nanoscale Organolanthanum Clusters: Nuclearity-Directing Role of Cyclopentadienyl and Halogenido Ligands

Tetramethylaluminato/halogenido(X) ligand exchange reactions in half-sandwich complexes [Cp^RLa(AlMe₄)₂] are feasible in non-coordinating solvents and provide access to large coordination clusters of the type [Cp^RLaX₂]_x. Incomplete exchange reactions generate the hexalanthanum clusters [Cp^R₆La₆X₈(AlMe₄)₄] (Cp^R=Cp*=C₅Me₅, X=I; Cp^R=Cp′=C₅H₄SiMe₃, X=Br, I). Treatment of [Cp*La(AlMe₄)₂] with two equivalents Me₃SiI gave the nonalanthanum cluster [Cp*LaI₂]₉, while the exhaustive reaction of [Cp′La(AlMe₄)₂] with the halogenido transfer reagents Me₃GeX and Me₃SiX (X=I, Br, Cl) produced a series of monocyclopentadienyl rare-earth-metal clusters with distinct nuclearity. Depending on the halogenido ion size the homometallic clusters [Cp′LaCl₂]₁₀ and [Cp′LaX₂]₁₂ (X=Br, I) could be isolated, whereas different crystallization techniques led to the aggregation of clusters of distinct structural motifs, including the desilylated cyclopentadienyl-bridged cluster [(μ-Cp)₂Cp′₈La₈I₁₄] and the heteroaluminato derivative [Cp′₁₀La₁₀Br₁₈(AlBr₂Me₂)₂]. The use of the Cp′ ancillary ligand facilitates cluster characterization by means of NMR spectroscopy.     

Effect of substituents on the catalytic properties of bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconocene dichlorides in polymerization of ethene

Comparative analysis of catalytic activity of substituted bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichlorides with the general formula (R _n Cp)₂ZrCl₂ (Cp₂ZrCl₂, (MeCp)₂ZrCl₂, (PrⁱCp)₂ZrCl₂, (Prⁱ ₂Cp)₂ZrCl₂, (BuⁿCp)₂ZrCl₂, (BuⁱCp)₂ZrCl₂, (Bu^tCp)₂ZrCl₂, Cp^* ₂ZrCl₂ (Cp^*=Me₅C₅), (Me₃SiCp)₂ZrCl₂, (cyclo-C₆H₁₁Cp)₂ZrCl₂, and [(cyclo-C₆H₁₁)₂Cp]₂ZrCl₂) in ethene polymerization using polymethylalumoxane as the cocatalyst was performed. The molecular mass characteristics of the polyethylene samples obtained were determined. A linear correlation of the specific activity of the catalysts and the turnover number with the electronic and steric characteristics of substituents at the Cp ring of the complexes was established for the first time. Analysis of the polymerization kinetics and the obtained correlation between the specific activity of the complexes and molecular mass characteristics of the polyethylene samples suggest that alkyl substituents participate in reactions responsible for the restriction of the polymer chain growth and regeneration of the active center. These interactions most likely involve associates of AlMe₃ with polymethylalumoxane molecules.     

Untersuchungen zur Sb–Sb‐Bindungsknüpfung in der Koordinationssphäre von Übergangsmetallen

Investigations of Sb–Sb Bond Formation Reactions in the Coordination Sphere of Transition Metals The reaction of SbCl₃ with various transition metal metalates of the type K[ML_n] [ML_n = Ni(CO)Cp*, Fe(CO)Cp′, Co(CO)₄; Cp* = η⁵‐C₅Me₅, Cp′ = η⁵‐C₅H₄Me] in the presence of [Cr(CO)₅thf] have been studied. With K[Ni(CO)Cp*] and K[Fe(CO)₂Cp′] the trigonal‐pyramidal complexes [(μ₃‐Sb){Ni(CO)Cp*}₃] ( 1 ) and [(μ₃‐Sb){Fe · (CO)₂Cp′}₃] ( 2 ), respectively, are obtained. The reaction with K[Co(CO)₄] leads to the tetrahedral cluster [Co₃(CO)₉(μ₃‐Sb{Cr(CO)₅})] ( 3 ) and the butterfly cluster [Co₂(CO)₆(μ‐SbCl)(μ‐SbCl{Cr(CO)₅})] ( 4 ). All products are characterised by X‐ray crystal structure determination. In contrast to the corresponding [(CO)₅CrPCl₃] system forming P–P bonds, starting from SbCl₃/[Cr(CO)₅thf] does not cause a Sb–Sb bond formation.     

Metal-Rich Metallaboranes: Synthesis,Structure, and Bonding of Heteronuclear Trimetallic Clusters containing (μ3-BH) Ligand

Building upon our earlier results on the chemistry of nido-1,2-[(Cp*RuH)₂B₃H₇] (Cp*=ɳ⁵-C₅Me₅) (nido- 1 ) with different transition metal carbonyls, we continued to investigate the reactivity with group 7 metal carbonyls under photolytic condition. Photolysis of nido- 1 with [Mn₂(CO)₁₀] led to the isolation of a trimetallic [(Cp*Ru)₂{Mn(CO)₃}(μ-H)(μ-CO)₃(μ₃-BH)] ( 2 ) cluster with a triply bridging borylene moiety. Cluster 2 is a rare example of a tetrahedral cluster having hydrido(hydroborylene) moiety. In an attempt to synthesize the Re analogue of 2 , a similar reaction was carried out with [Re₂(CO)₁₀] that yielded the trimetallic [(Cp*Ru)₂{Re(CO)₃}(μ-H)(μ-CO)₃(μ₃-BH)] ( 3 ) cluster having a triply bridging borylene unit. Along with 3 , a trimetallic square pyramid cluster [(Cp*Ru)₂{Re(CO)₃}(μ-H)₂(μ-CO)(μ₃,ɳ²-B₂H₅)] ( 4 ), and heterotrimetallic hydride clusters [{Cp*Ru(CO)₂}-{Re(CO)₄}₂(μ-H)] ( 5 ) and [{Cp*Ru(CO)}{Re(CO)₄}₂(μ-H)₃] ( 6 ) were isolated. Cluster 4 is a unique example of a M₂M′B₂ cluster having diboron capped Ru₂Re-triangle. The hydride clusters 5 and 6 have triangular RuRe₂ frameworks with one and three μ-Hs respectively. All the clusters have been characterized by using mass spectrometry, ¹H, ¹¹B{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and IR spectroscopies analyses and the structures of clusters 2 – 6 have been unambiguously established by XRD analyses. Furthermore, to understand the electronic, structural, and bonding features of the synthesized metal-rich clusters, DFT calculations have been performed.     

Metal carbonyl clusters linked to cyanoiron units

In search of organometallic Prussian Blue analogs with cluster constituents the cyanoiron complexes Cp(CO)₂Fe-CN and Cp(dppe)Fe-CN were used as ligands to replace CO in the clusters Fe₃(CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₁₂, RuCo,(CO)₁₁, Co₄(CO)₁₂, Fe₃(CO)₉(µ₃-P¹Bu)₂, Fe₃(CO)₉(µ₃-PPh)₂, and Co₃(CO)₉ (µ₃-CMe). 11 new complexes of the type L _n Fe-CN-Cluster were obtained. Their constitution was ascertained crystallographically for Cp(CO)₂Fe-CN-RU₃(CO)₁₁ and Cp(CO)₂Fe-CN-RuCo₂(CO)₁₀ showing that unlike phosphine ligands the cyanoiron ligands occupy axial positions on the cluster. Cyclic voltammetry has shown that unlike the parent clusters these derivatives are more easily oxidized than reduced.     

Formation of an Acyl‐Ethynyl‐Methylidyne Complex of Cobalt: Structure of Co3{μ3‐CC(O)C≡C[Ru(dppe)Cp*]}(CO)8(PPh3)

The reaction between Ru(C≡CH)(dppe)Cp* and Co₃(μ₃‐CBr)(CO)₉ in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄/CuI afforded dark red Co₃{μ₃‐CC(O)C≡C[Ru(dppe)Cp*]}(CO)₈(PPh₃), whose formation may involve attack of the Ru‐ethynyl fragment on an intermediate cluster‐bound CCO ligand; abstraction of PPh₃ from the palladium catalyst also occurs.     

<Superscript>27</Superscript>Al NMR Study of the Metal Cluster Compound Al<Subscript>50</Subscript>C<Subscript>120</Subscript>H<Subscript>180</Subscript>

We present an ²⁷Al NMR study of the metal cluster compound Al₅₀Cp*₁₂ which is composed of (identical) Al₅₀ clusters, each surrounded by a Cp* ligand shell, and arranged in a crystalline 3D array (here Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl = C₅(CH₃)₅). The compound is found to be non-conducting, the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in the temperature range 100–300 K being predominantly due to reorientational motions of the Cp* rings. These lead to a pronounced maximum in the relaxation rate at T ∼ 170 K, corresponding to an activation energy of about 850 K. Data for the related compound Al₄Cp*₄, containing very much smaller Al₄ clusters are also presented. A comparison is drawn with the quadrupolar relaxation recently observed for the non-conducting fraction of Ga₈₄ molecules in the metal cluster compound Ga₈₄[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂₀-Li₆Br₂(thf)₂₀·2toluene. It is our pleasure to dedicate this paper to our colleague professor Günter Schmid at the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Atom‐Precise Organometallic Zinc Clusters

The bottom‐up synthesis of organometallic zinc clusters is described. The cation {[Zn₁₀](Cp*)₆Me}⁺ ( 1 ) is obtained by reacting [Zn₂Cp*₂] with [FeCp₂][BAr₄^F] in the presence of ZnMe₂. In the presence of suitable ligands, the high reactivity of 1 enables the controlled abstraction of single Zn units, providing access to the lower‐nuclearity clusters {[Zn₉](Cp*)₆} ( 2 ) and {[Zn₈](Cp*)₅(^tBuNC)₃}⁺ ( 3 ). According to DFT calculations, 1 and 2 can be described as closed‐shell species that are electron‐deficient in terms of the Wade–Mingos rules because the apical ZnCp* units that constitute the cluster cage do not have three, but only one, frontier orbitals available for cluster bonding. Zinc behaves flexibly in building the skeletal metal–metal bonds, sometimes providing one major frontier orbital (like Group 11 metals) and sometimes providing three frontier orbitals (like Group 13 elements).     

Si@Al14(N(Dipp)SiMe3)6: Ein Si‐zentrierter metalloider Aluminiumcluster und ergänzende Untersuchungen zur Strukturproblematik des Si@Al14Cp*6‐Clusters

The preparation and X‐ray structure of Si@Al₁₄R₆ (R = Cp*, N(Dipp)SiMe₃; Dipp = 2,6‐iPr₂–C₆H₃) are described via the disproportionation and substitution reaction of a metastable AlCl solution. One silicon atom occupies the center of an Al₈ cube. This central unit is stabilized through capping of six AlR moieties above the faces of the cube. These findings open the door for a reinvestigation of Si@Al₁₄Cp*₆ through MALDI, DFT and X‐ray investigations: Caused by the preparation procedure a small part of the Si@Al₁₄Cp*₆ clusters are partially oxidized by chlorine and one of the eight aluminum atoms of the cube is substituted by a Si atom: Thus, within the crystal about ¹/₃ of the SiAl₁₄Cp*₆ clusters are Si₂Al₁₃Cp*₆Cl species causing a more unsymmetrical arrangement of all cluster species than those observed in crystalline SiAl₁₄(N(Dipp)SiMe₃)₆. The serious problems during the solution of the crystal structure of Si@Al₁₄Cp*₆ caused by only slightly modified cluster species may be a strong hint at being careful with the interpretation of any nanoscale species: Even very small modifications (e.g. a single silicon atom i.e. neighbor element of aluminum containing only one more electron and proton substitutes one aluminum atom) cause drastical structural changes and consequently also different e.g. electric properties can be expected.