Vibrational Spectra of Cluster Anions. 2. Vibrational Spectra of Compounds with the Cluster Anions [E4]4−: M4E4 (M = K,Rb, Cs; E = Ge,Sn) and β‐Na4Sn4

Vibrational spectra of the compounds M₄E₄ (M = K, Rb, Cs; E = Ge, Sn) and of β‐Na₄Sn₄ with the cluster anions [E₄]^4? were analysed based on the point group of isolated tetrahedranide units. The lower individual symmetry of the anions in the real structure being more patterned and complex primarily affects the spectra of the tetrahedro‐tetragermanides. ν₃(F₂) clearly splits both in Raman and IR and in the case of K₄Sn₄ only in IR. Rb₄Sn₄ and Cs₄Sn₄ exhibit very simple spectra with three bands in Raman and one band in IR. The breathing mode ν₁(A₁) for the quasi isolated [E₄]^4? cluster appears only in the Raman spectrum and is hardly influenced by the structural environment and by the nature of the alkali metal cations: ν₁(A₁) = 274 cm^?1 ([Ge₄]^4?) and 183‐187 cm^?1 ([Sn₄]^4?), respectively. The calculated valence force constants f_d(E–E) are: [Ge₄]^4? : f_d = 0.89 Ncm^?1 ( K ), 0.87 Ncm^?1 ( Rb ), 0.86 Ncm^?1 ( Cs ) and [Sn₄]^4? : 0.67 Ncm^?1 ( Na ), 0.66 Ncm^?1 ( K ), 0.67 Ncm^?1 ( Rb ), 0.68 Ncm^?1 ( Cs ). Both, the frequencies and the force constants fit well into the range previously reported.