Synthesis, crystal structure, and catalytic properties of MgCo6Ge6

The ternary compound MgCo6Ge6 represents a novel member of the RM6X6 phases, which contains a graphite-type Ge network, Kagomé nets of Co atoms, and Ge2 dumbbells with an unexpected short Ge-Ge contact in the range of a localized Ge-Ge single bond. The title compound shows a large variety of chemical bonding, which ranges from metallic to multicenter and covalent bonding. The role of polar intermetallic alloys as promising candidates for the application as catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is discussed. MgCo6Ge6 possesses a remarkable activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of cis/trans-citral to geraniol and nerol.