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.     

The Neat Ternary Solid K5−xCo1−xSn9 with Endohedral [Co@Sn9]5− Cluster Units: A Precursor for Soluble Intermetalloid [Co2@Sn17]5− Clusters

A new type of Zintl phase is presented that contains endohedrally filled clusters and that allows for the formation of intermetalloid clusters in solution by a one‐step synthesis. The intermetallic compound K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ was obtained by the reaction of a preformed Co? Sn alloy with potassium and tin at high temperatures. The diamagnetic saltlike ternary phase contains discrete [Co@Sn₉]^5? clusters that are separated by K⁺ ions. The intermetallic compound K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ readily and incongruently dissolves in ethylenediamine and in the presence of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (2.2.2‐crypt), thereby leading to the formation of crystalline [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₅[Co₂Sn₁₇]. The novel polyanion [Co₂Sn₁₇]^5? contains two Co‐filled Sn₉ clusters that share one vertex. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The diamagnetism of K_5?xCo_1?xSn₉ and the paramagnetism of [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₅[Co₂Sn₁₇] have been confirmed by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and EPR measurements, respectively. Quantum chemical calculations reveal an endohedral Co^1? atom in an [Sn₉]^4? nido cluster for [Co@Sn₉]^5? and confirm the stability of the paramagnetic [Co₂Sn₁₇]^5? unit.     

Binary alkali metal compounds with the zintl anions [Ge9]4− and [Sn9]4−

The binary germanides M₁₂Ge₁₇ and M₄Ge₉ (M ? Na, K, Rb, Cs) and the stannides M₁₂Sn₁₇ and M₄Sn₉ (M ? K, Rb, Cs) were identified by a combination of direct synthesis, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray powder data and single crystal structure analysis. The M₁₂E₁₇ phases contain the cluster anions [E₉]^4? and [E₄]^4? in the ratio 1:2, forming a hierarchical structure with the cluster anions at the atomic positions of the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn₂. Like the M₄E₄ phases, the M₄Ge₉ compounds are hierarchical derivatives of the cubic Cr₃Si structure but with [Ge₉]^4? anions. The thermogravimetric analyses give strong evidence for the existence of at least one more phase with [E₉]^4? and [E₄]^4? clusters and of the clathrate phases M₆E₁₃₆ in addition to the well-known M₈E₄₄□₂ chlathrates.     

Peculiar All‐Metal σ‐Aromaticity of the [Au2Sb16]4− Anion in the Solid State

Gas‐phase clusters are deemed to be σ‐aromatic when they satisfy the 4n+2 rule of aromaticity for delocalized σ electrons and fulfill other requirements known for aromatic systems. While the range of n values was shown to be quite broad when applied to short‐lived clusters found in molecular‐beam experiments, stability of all‐metal cluster‐like fragments isolated in condensed phase was previously shown to be mainly ascribed to two electrons (n=0). In this work, the applicability of this concept is extended towards solid‐state compounds by demonstrating a unique example of a storable compound, which was isolated as a stable [K([2.2.2]crypt)]⁺ salt, featuring a [Au₂Sb₁₆]^4? cluster core possessing two all‐metal aromatic AuSb₄ fragments with six delocalized σ electrons each (n=1). This discovery pushes the boundaries of the original idea of Kekulé and firmly establishes the usefulness of the σ‐aromaticity concept as a general idea for both small clusters and solid‐state compounds.     

Step‐by‐Step Synthesis of the Endohedral Stannaspherene [Ir@Sn12]3− via the Capped Cluster Anion [Sn9Ir(cod)]3−

The endohedral stannaspherene cluster anion [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? was synthesized in two steps. The reaction of K₄Sn₉ with [IrCl(cod)]₂ (cod: 1,5‐cyclooctadienyl) in ethylenediamine (en) solution first yielded the [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt (2,2,2‐crypt: 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) of the capped cluster anion [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3?. Subsequently, crystals of this compound were dissolved in en, followed by the addition of triphenylphosphine or 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and treatment at elevated temperatures. [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? was obtained and characterized as the [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt. The isolation of [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3? as an intermediate product establishes that the formation of the stannaspherene [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? occurs through the oxidation of [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3?. Among the structurally characterized tetrel cluster anions, [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? is a unique example of a stannaspherene, and one of the rare spherical clusters encapsulating a metal atom that is not a member of Group 10. Single‐crystal structure determination shows that the novel Zintl ion cluster has nearly perfect icosahedral I_h point symmetry.     

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.     

[Co@Ge10]3−: An Intermetalloid Cluster with Archimedean Pentagonal Prismatic Structure

Inorganic pentaprismane : The unusual structure of the anion [Co@Ge₁₀]^3?, which was obtained by the reaction of K₄Ge₉ with [Co(C₈H₁₂)(C₈H₁₃)] in ethylenediamine, raises questions about chemical bonding in the anion. The Zintl ion cluster has virtual D_5h symmetry and is a unique example of a ligand‐free cluster that is not a deltahedron. The delocalized chemical bonding is represented in the picture by one of the bonding orbitals of the anion.

     

A Naphthalene-Like Si1010− Unit in the Novel ∞2[Si2030−] Planar Anion of Sr13Mg2Si20

Two interpenetrating ² _∞ [Si ₂₀ ³⁰⁻ ] polyanions with naphthalene-like Si₁₀¹⁰⁻ building blocks (see picture) characterize the“nonclassical” Zintl phase Sr₁₃Mg₂Si₂₀, which is formed from the elements at 1230–1240 K. The ecliptical stacking of the Si₁₀¹⁰⁻ units leads to one-dimensional conductivity along the stacking direction.     

Studies on the Reactivity of [Ge9]4− towards [Fe(cot)(CO)3]: Synthesis and Characterization of [Ge8Fe(CO)3]3− and of the Anionic Organometallic Species [Fe(cot)(CO)3]−

Reaction of cyclooctatetraene (COT) iron(II) tricarbonyl, [Fe(cot)(CO)₃], with one equivalent of K₄Ge₉ in ethylenediamine (en) yielded the cluster anion [Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]^3? which was crystallographically‐characterized as a [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt in [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]₃[Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]. The chemically‐reduced organometallic species [Fe(η³‐C₈H₈)(CO)₃]^? was also isolated as a side‐product from this reaction as [K(2,2,2‐crypt)][Fe(η³‐C₈H₈)(CO)₃]. Both species were further characterized by EPR and IR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The [Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]^3? cluster anion represents an unprecedented functionalized germanium Zintl anion in which the nine‐atom precursor cluster has lost a vertex, which has been replaced by a transition‐metal moiety.     

Na12Ge17: A Compound with the Zintl Anions [Ge4]4— and [Ge9]4— — Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Raman Spectrum

Na₁₂Ge₁₇ is prepared from the elements at 1025 K in sealed niobium ampoules. The crystal structure reinvestigation reveals a doubling of the unit cell (space group:P2₁/c; a = 22.117(3)Å, b = 12.803(3)Å, c = 41.557(6)Å, β = 91.31(2)°, Z = 16; Pearson code: mP464), furthermore, weak superstructure reflections indicate an even larger C‐centred monoclinic cell. The characteristic structural units are the isolated cluster anions [Ge₉]^4— and [Ge₄]^4— in ratio 1:2, respectively. The crystal structure represents a hierarchical cluster replacement structure of the hexagonal Laves phase MgZn₂ in which the Mg and Zn atoms are replaced by the Ge₉ and Ge₄ units, respectively. The Raman spectrum of Na₁₂Ge₁₇ exhibits the characteristic breathing modes of the constituent cluster anions at ν = 274 cm^—1 ([Ge₉]^4—) and ν = 222 cm^—1 ([Ge₄]^4—) which may be used for identification of these clusters in solid phases and in solutions. Raman spectra further prove that Na₁₂Ge₁₇ is partial soluble both in ethylenediamine and liquid ammonia. The solution and the solid extract contain solely [Ge₉]^4—. The remaining insoluble residue is Na₄Ge₄. By heating the solvate Na₄Ge₉(NH₃)_n releases NH₃ and decomposes irreversibly at 742 K, yielding Na₁₂Ge₁₇ and Ge.     

Cluster Fusion: Face‐Fused Nine‐Atom Deltahedral Clusters in [Sn14Ni(CO)]4−

The title anion was synthesized by heating dimethylformamide (DMF) solution of the known Ni‐centered and Ni(CO)‐capped tin clusters [Ni@Sn₉Ni(CO)]^3?. The new anion represents the first example of face‐fused nine‐atom molecular clusters. The two clusters are identical elongated tricapped trigonal prisms of nido‐[Sn₈Ni(CO)]^6? with nickel at one of the capping positions. They are fused along a triangular face adjacent to a trigonal prismatic base and made of two Sn and one Ni atoms. The new anion is structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction in the compound (K[222‐crypt])₄[Sn₁₄Ni(CO)]?DMF. Its presence in solution is corroborated by electrospray mass spectrometry.