The closo-Ge52- Anion: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Raman Spectrum of (2,2,2-crypt-K+)2Ge52-·THF

Electronic structure and bonding in endohedral Zintl clusters

Endohedral Zintl clusters-multi-metallic anionic molecules in which a d-block or f-block metal atom is enclosed by p-block (semi)metal atoms-are very topical in contemporary inorganic chemistry. Not only do they provide insight into the embryonic states of intermetallic compounds and show promise in catalytic applications, they also shed light on the nature of chemical bonding between metal atoms. Over the past two decades, a plethora of endohedral Zintl clusters have been synthesized, revealing a fascinating diversity of molecular architectures. Many different perspectives on the bonding in them have emerged in the literature, sometimes complementary and sometimes conflicting, and there has been no concerted effort to classify the entire family based on a small number of unifying principles. A closer look, however, reveals distinct patterns in structure and bonding that reflect the extent to which valence electrons are shared between the endohedral atom and the cluster shell. We show that there is a much more uniform relationship between the total valence electron count and the structure and bonding patterns of these clusters than previously anticipated. All of the p-block (semi)metal shells can be placed on a ladder of total valence electron count that ranges between 4n+2 (closo deltahedra), 5n (closed, three-bonded polyhedra) and 6n (crown-like structures). Although some structural isomerism can occur for a given electron count, the presence of a central metal cation imposes a preference for rather regular and approximately spherical structures which maximise electrostatic interactions between the metal and the shell. In cases where the endohedral metal has relatively accessible valence electrons (from the d or f shells), it can also contribute its valence electrons to the total electron count of the cluster shell, raising the effective electron count and often altering the structural preferences. The electronic situation in any given cluster is considered from different perspectives, some more physical and some more chemical, in a way that highlights the important point that, in the end, they explain the same situation. This article provides a unifying perspective of bonding that captures the structural diversity across this diverse family of multimetallic clusters.

[Sn8 ]6- -Bridged Mixed-Valence ZnI /ZnII in {[K2 ZnSn8 (ZnMes)]2 }4- Inverse Sandwich-Type Cluster Supported by a ZnI -ZnI Bond

Since [Sn₈ ]^6- was discovered from the solid-state phase in 2000, its solution chemistry has been elusive due to the high charges and chemical activity. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of an inverse sandwich-type cluster dimer {[K₂ ZnSn₈ (ZnMes)]₂ }^4- (1 a), in which the highly charged [Sn₈ ]^6- is captured by mixed-valence Zn^I /Zn^II to form the dimer {closo-[Zn₂ Sn₈ ]}₂ moieties bridged by a Zn-Zn bond. Such Zn-Sn cluster not only exhibits a novel example of mixed-valence Zn^I /Zn^II for stabilizing highly active anion species, but also indicates the [Sn₈ ]^6- cluster can act as a novel bridging ligand, like arene, with a η⁴ :η⁴ -fashion. Theoretical calculations indicate that a significant delocalization of electrons over Zn atoms plays a vital role in the stabilization of the [Sn₈ ]^6- species. The AdNDP and magnetic response analyses clearly showed the presence of local σ-aromaticity in three cluster fragments: two ZnSn₄ caps and Sn₈ square antiprism.

Significant geometry and charge difference between the E54− bare clusters of group 14 Zintl anions and their coordinated form in [E5{M(CO)3}2]4− (E = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; M = Cr, Mo, W) complexes

It is shown that while none of the E₅ⁿ (E = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; n = 0, 2−, 4−) bare clusters can be stabilized in planar pentagon (D_5h) geometry, E₅⁴⁻ ions as a five-membered planar ring form stable complexes with two {M(CO)₃} (M = Cr, Mo, W) metal carbonyls. Interestingly, the negative charge of all [E₅{M(CO)₃}₂]⁴⁻ complexes is distributed on two {M(CO)₃} fragments rather than the coordinated Zintl ion.

[Ge5Ni2(CO)3]2−: the first functionalized cluster of closo-[Ge5]2−

A functionalized cluster derivative of closo-[Ge₅]²⁻ has been prepared and structurally characterized for the first time.

Polyhedral nine-atom clusters of tetrel elements and intermetalloid derivatives

Homoatomic polyanions have the basic capability for a bottom-up synthesis of nanostructured materials. Therefore, the chemistry and the structures of polyhedral nine-atom clusters of tetrel elements [E(9)](4-) is highlighted. The nine-atom Zintl ions are available in good quantities for E = Si-Pb as binary alkali metal (A) phases of the composition A(4)E(9) or A(12)E(17). Dissolution or extraction of the neat solids with aprotic solvents and crystallization with alkali metal-sequestering molecules or crown ethers leads to a large variety of structures containing homoatomic clusters with up to 45 E atoms. Cluster growth occurs via oxidative coupling reactions. The clusters can further act as a donor ligand in transition metal complexes, which is a first step to the formation of bimetallic clusters. The structures and some nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic properties of these so-called intermetalloid clusters are reviewed, with special emphasis on tetrel clusters that are endohedrally filled with transition metal atoms.

Yb8Ge3Sb5, a Metallic Mixed-Valent Zintl Phase Containing the Polymeric 1∞[Ge34-] Anions

Yb8Ge3Sb5 is a nonclassical Zintl phase with metallic properties arising from the electropositive "spectator" cations of Yb. This compound contains the new Zintl anion 1infinity(Ge3)4- and is stabilized via a combination of Yb2+ and Yb3+ ions.

Synthesis and structure of [K(+)-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6][K3Ge9]-2ethylenediamine: stabilization of the two-dimensional layer (2)(infinity)[K3Ge9(1-)]

Large bright-red, transparent crystalline plates of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]K3Ge9-2en are obtained, in high-yield, from a reaction of (2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6 in toluene with a solution of K4Ge9/potassium metal (K) in ethylenediamine (en). The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/m (a = 10.740(1) A, b = 15.812(1) A, c = 12.326(1) A, beta = 114.74 degrees; Z = 2). The crystal structure of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]K3Ge9-2en features two-dimensional [K3Ge9] layers formed by uncomplexed K(+) cations and Ge94(-) anions. The "not-so-bare" cluster compound features a unique Ge94(-) cluster that exhibits a slightly distorted C(2v) geometry that is closer to D(3h) than the expected C(4v). Use of noncryptand sequestering agents in the isolation of Ge cluster anions from en solutions opens new avenues in understanding important cation-anion interactions in the stability and reactivity of Zintl ions, as well as a viable route to isolating Zintl anions with higher charges per atom.

Heteroatomic deltahedral clusters of main-group elements: synthesis and structure of the Zintl ions [In4Bi5]3-, [InBi3]2-, and [GaBi3]2-

Reported are the first heteroatomic deltahedral Zintl ions made of elements differing by more than one group, indium or gallium and bismuth. Nine-atom clusters [In4Bi5]3- are characterized in two different compounds, (Na-crypt)3[In4Bi5] (4, P2(1)/n, a = 23.572(6) A, b = 15.042(4) A, c = 24.071(4) A, beta = 106.00(3) degrees, Z = 4) and (K-crypt)6[In4Bi5][In4Bi5].1.5en.0.5tol (5, P2(1)/c, a = 28.532(2) A, b = 23.707(2) A, c = 28.021(2) A, beta = 93.274(4) degrees, Z = 4). Tetrahedra of [InBi3]2- or [GaBi3]2- are found in (K-crypt)2[InBi3].en (1, P2(1), a = 12.347(4) A, b = 20.884(4) A, c = 12.619(7) A, beta = 119.02(4) degrees, Z = 2) and in the isostructural (Rb-crypt)2[InBi3].en (2, a = 12.403(8) A, b = 20.99(1) A, c = 12.617(9) A, beta = 118.83(4) degrees) and (K-crypt)2[GaBi3].en (3, a = 12.324(5) A, b = 20.890(8) A, c = 12.629(5) A, beta = 118.91(3) degrees). All compounds are crystallized from ethylenediamine/crypt solutions of precursors with nominal composition "A5E2Bi4" where A = Na, K, or Rb and E = Ga or In. The cluster in 4 is a well-ordered monocapped square antiprism with the four indium atoms occupying the five-bonded positions. Compound 5 contains two independent [In4Bi5]3- clusters; one is the same as the cluster in 4, while the other is a tricapped trigonal prism with two elongated prismatic edges. All compounds are EPR-silent and therefore diamagnetic.

Conformation Isomerism of Nonagermanide Ions. Crystal Structures of Brown and Red [K-([2.2.2]crypt)](6)Ge(9)Ge(9).(ethylenediamine)(x)() (x = 0.5, 1.5)

A brown and a red form of the [K-([2.2.2]-crypt)](+) salts of naked polyhedral nonagermanide anions were isolated by dissolving the alloy K(4)Ge(9) in ethylenediamine. The compounds [K-([2.2.2]crypt)](6)Ge(9)Ge(9).(ethylenediamine)(x)() with x = 0.5 (2a, brown) and 1.5 (2b, red) crystallize in the P&onemacr; space group with two independent cluster anions and six [K-([2.2.2]-crypt)](+) units. The structures are almost isotypic, but differ by their cell parameters at 233 K (2a, a = 14.397(1) Å, b = 19.765(2) Å, c = 28.898(2) Å, alpha = 87.485(9) degrees, beta = 79.168(9) degrees, gamma = 85.415(8) degrees; 2a, a = 14.503(1) Å, b = 19.924(2) Å, c = 28.935(3) Å, alpha = 87.43(1) degrees, beta = 80.85(1) degrees, gamma = 85.92(1) degrees ) and atomic parameters. The differences arise with two additional ethylenediamine molecules in the case of red 2b. These solvent molecules were refined at 50% occupancy. The solvent molecules have a significant influence on the color of the crystals and the conformation of the deltahedral anions. The structures of the clusters correspond to C(2)(v)() distorted polyhedra that lie between the D(3)(h)() tricapped trigonal prism and the C(4)(v)() monocapped square antiprism. A geometrically deduced charge allocation Ge(9)(2)(-) and Ge(9)(4)(-) in an earlier study of a red compound with x = 2.5 and a less accurate structure refinement are not supported by the structures of the anions. EPR measurements on a single crystal of 2a reveal paramagnetic properties and presumably equal 3- charges for each of the two independent anions.