Si8(SitBu3)6: ein bisher unbekannter Clustertyp der Siliciumchemie

Partial and Complete Replacement of the Phenyl Group(s) of 1,1,3,3-Tetraphenyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)cyclotetrasilane by Chlorine Atom(s)

The four phenyl groups of 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyl-2,2,4,4-tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)cyclotetrasilane were partially replaced by chlorine atom(s) by successive treatment with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and lithium chloride. The replacement of all phenyl groups was carried out with hydrogen chloride in the presence of aluminum chloride. The structural features of the resulting mono-, di-, and tetrachlorocyclotetrasilanes were compared by X-ray crystallography.

Siliconoid Expansion by a Single Germanium Atom through Isolated Intermediates

The growth of (semi-)metal clusters is pivotal for nucleation processes in gaseous and condensed phases. We now report the isolation of intermediates during the expansion of a stable unsaturated silicon cluster (siliconoid) by a single germanium atom through a sequence of substitution, rearrangement and reduction. The reaction of ligato-lithiated hexasilabenzpolarene LiSi6 Tip5 (1Li⋅(thf)2 , Tip=2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) with GeCl2 ⋅NHC (NHC=1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) initially yields the product with exohedral germanium(II) functionality, which then inserts into an Si-Si bond of the Si6 scaffold. The concomitant transfer of the chloro functionality from germanium to an adjacent silicon preserves the electron-precise nature of the formed endohedral germylene. Full incorporation of the germanium heteroatom to the Si6 Ge cluster core is finally achieved either by reduction under loss of the coordinating NHC or directly by reaction of 1Li⋅(thf)2 with GeCl2 ⋅1,4-dioxane.

Chalcogen-Expanded Unsaturated Silicon Clusters: Thia-, Selena-, and Tellurasiliconoids

Reactions of silylenes with heavier chalcogens (E) typically result in Si=E double bonds or their π-addition products. In contrast, the oxidation of a silylene-functionalized unsaturated silicon cluster (siliconoid) with Group 16 elements selectively yields cluster expanded siliconoids Si7 E (E=S, Se, Te) fully preserving the unsaturated nature of the cluster scaffold as evident from the NMR signatures of the products. Mechanistic considerations by DFT calculations suggest the intermediacy of a Si6 siliconoid with exohedral Si=E functionality. The reaction thus may serve as model system for the oxidation of surface-bonded silylenes at Si(100) by chalcogens and their diffusion into the silicon bulk.

Indirect and Direct Grafting of Transition Metals to Siliconoids

Unsaturated charge‐neutral silicon clusters (siliconoids) are important as gas‐phase intermediates between molecules and the elemental bulk. With stable zirconocene‐ and hafnocene‐substituted derivatives, we here report the first examples containing directly bonded transition‐metal fragments that are readily accessible from the ligato‐lithiated Si₆ siliconoid (1Li) and Cp₂MCl₂ (M=Zr, Hf). Charge‐neutral siliconoid ligands with pending tetrylene functionality were prepared by the reaction of amidinato chloro tetrylenes [PhC(NtBu)₂]ECl (E=Si, Ge, Sn) with 1Li, thus confirming the principal compatibility of such low‐valent functionalities with the unsaturated Si₆ cluster scaffold. The pronounced donor properties of the tetrylene/siliconoid hybrids allow for their coordination to the Fe(CO)₄ fragment.

Atomically Precise Expansion of Unsaturated Silicon Clusters

Small- to medium-sized clusters occur in various areas of chemistry, for example, as active species of heterogeneous catalysis or as transient intermediates during chemical vapor deposition. The manipulation of stable representatives is mostly limited to the stabilizing ligand periphery, virtually excluding the systematic variation of the property-determining cluster scaffold. We now report the deliberate expansion of a stable unsaturated silicon cluster from six to seven and finally eight vertices. The consecutive application of lithium/naphthalene as the reducing agent and decamethylsilicocene as the electrophilic source of silicon results in the expansion of the core by precisely one atom with the potential of infinite repetition.

Anionic Siliconoids from Zintl Phases: R3 Si9 - with Six and R2 Si9 2- with Seven Unsubstituted Exposed Silicon Cluster Atoms (R=Si(tBu)2 H)

Neutral and anionic silicon clusters (siliconoids) are regarded as important model systems for bulk silicon surfaces. For 25 years their formation from binary alkali metal silicide phases has been proposed, but experimentally never realized. Herein the silylation of a silicide, leading to the anionic siliconoids (Si(tBu)₂ H)₃ Si₉ ^- (1 a) and (Si(tBu)₂ H)₂ Si₉ ^2- (2 a) with the highest known number of ligand-free silicon atoms is reported for the first time. The new anions are obtained in a one-step reaction of K₁₂ Si₁₇ /NH₃ (liq.) and Si(tBu)₂ HCl/THF. Electrospray ionization spectrometry and ¹ H, ¹³ C, ²⁹ Si, as well as ²⁹ Si-HMBC (heteronuclear multiple bond correlation) NMR spectroscopy, confirm the attachment of three silyl groups at a [Si₉ ]^4- cluster under formation of 1 a, in accordance with calculated NMR shifts. During crystal growth the siliconoid di-anion 2 a is formed. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination reveals that two silyl groups are connected to the deltahedral Si₉ cluster core, revealing seven unsubstituted exposed silicon cluster atoms with a hemispheroidal coordination. The negative charges -1 and -2 are delocalized over the six and seven siliconoid Si atoms in 1 a and 2 a, respectively.

Functional Disilenes in Synthesis

Functionalized disilenes are valuable auxiliary tools in preparative chemistry. In the following review the various synthetic potential of disilenes as precursors is presented. Upon consumption of the Si=Si unit in disilenes, cyclic, polycyclic and cluster-like arrangements are obtainable.

Isolation and Versatile Derivatization of an Unsaturated Anionic Silicon Cluster (Siliconoid)

The characteristic features of bulk silicon surfaces are echoed in the related partially substituted—and thus unsaturated—neutral silicon clusters (siliconoids). The incorporation of siliconoids into more‐extended frameworks is promising owing to their unique electronic features, but further developments in this regard are limited by the notable absence of functionalized siliconoid derivatives until now. Herein we report the isolation and full characterization of the lithium salt of an anionic R₅Si₆‐siliconoid, thus providing the missing link between silicon‐based Zintl anions and siliconoid clusters. Proof‐of‐principle for the high potential of this species for the efficient transfer of the intact unsaturated R₅Si₆ moiety is demonstrated by clean reactions with representative electrophiles of Groups 13, 14, and 15.

Two pentasilahousanes fused together

The organosilicon cluster 1 with two pentasilahousanes fused together was synthesized by the reduction of 1,1,3-trichlorocyclotetrasilane. This reaction involves dimerization and rearrangement of the silicon skeleton. The structure and properties of 1 were studied by X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic analyses.

Anionic reagents with silicon-containing double bonds

E=Si transfer: Anionic compounds capable of transferring a silicon-containing double bond are reviewed (see figure), particularly reagents with Si=Si moieties (Tip=2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2), M=Li, Na, K) and their applications towards main-group and transition-metal electrophiles, as well as their reactivity towards organic compounds. A few recently reported derivatives with Si=C (Ad=1-adamantyl) and Si=P moieties are included for completeness.Anionic compounds capable of transferring a silicon double bond are summarized following an introduction to the differences between alkenes and their heavier homologues. The main focus is on reagents with Si=Si moieties and their applications towards main-group and transition-metal electrophiles, as well as their reactivity towards organic compounds, but a few recently reported derivatives with Si=C and Si=P bonds are also included.

Discussion on the Formation and Bonding in Three [Ga8R10] Compounds: The Diversity in Classical GaGa Bonds

Herein we describe three Ga(8) compounds that feature gallium atoms in an oxidation state of 1.25 with normal valent 2e-2c bonding. Their structures and the influence of their ligands (phosphorus and nitrogen atoms directly bonded to the Ga(8) moieties) are discussed on the basis of DFT calculations, providing an insight into a probable mechanism for insertion reactions between GaX and GaX(3) species that lead to a reaction cascade via halides like Ga(2)X(4) and Ga(5)X(7) to Ga(8)X(10) and Ga(8)X(12) (2-), respectively. Finally, the Ga(8) cores of the three title compounds were compared with the topology of carbon atoms in C(8) alkanes.