[(thf)5Ln(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}2)] (Ln = Eu, Sm, Yb): Capping Metalloid Germanium Cluster with Lanthanides

We report the synthesis of three neutral complexes with different coordination modes of a di-silylated metalloid germanium cluster to divalent lanthanides [(thf)₅Ln(ηⁿ-Ge₉(Hyp)₂)] (Ln = Yb (1, n = 1); Eu (2, n = 2, 3), Sm (3, n = 2, 3); Hyp = Si(SiMe₃)₃) by the salt metathesis of LnI₂ with K₂[Ge₉(Hyp)₂] in THF. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In thf solution, the formation of contact or solvate-separated ion pairs depending on the concentration is assumed. Compound 2 exhibits a blue luminescence typical for Eu²⁺. The solid-state magnetic measurements of compounds 2 and 3 confirm the presence of divalent europium and samarium, respectively.

Endohedral group-14-element clusters TM@E9 (TM = Co, Ni, Cu; E = Ge, Sn, Pb) and their low-dimensional nanostructures: a first-principles study

Endohedral group14-based clusters with the encapsulation of a transition metal, which are termed [TM@E_m]^n- (TM = transition metal and E = group-14 elements), have lots of potential applications and have been used as interesting building blocks in materials science. Nevertheless, their electronic structures and stability mechanism remain unclear. In this paper, we systematically study the geometries, electronic structures, and bonding properties of [TM@E₉]^n- clusters which are the smallest endohedral group-14-based clusters synthesized so far, by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The calculation results reveal the important role of TMs in affecting the structures and bonding interactions in the [TM@E₉]^n- cluster. In the presence of a TM, the cluster geometry could change from a monocapped square antiprism (C_4v) for empty [E₉]^4- cages to a tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry (D_3h) for [TM@E₉]^n-. By using the energy decomposition analysis (EDA) method, the bonding properties between the endohedral TM and E₉ cluster have been thoroughly investigated. It was found that the origin of stability of these clusters is from the large electrostatic attraction with significantly reduced Pauli repulsion. In the case of orbital interactions, the π back-donations from d orbitals of the TM to the cluster make important contributions. More interestingly, the 1D-chain and 2D-sheet nanostructures based on the [Ni@E₉] cluster have been theoretically predicted. The band structure and density of states analysis revealed that all of these nanostructures are metallic and their excellent thermodynamic stability has been confirmed by using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations.

Molecular Silicon Clusters

The continuously decreasing size of device features in microelectronics draws growing attention to the structuring of silicon at the molecular level with powerful tools provided by synthetic chemistry. Silicon clusters are of particular importance in this regard not only as potential precursors for silicon deposition but also as well-defined model systems for bulk and surfaces of silicon at the nanoscale as well as possible starting points for future construction of molecularly precise device structures. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview about the state of the art in the synthesis of molecular silicon clusters, which are grouped into (1) electron-precise saturated clusters, (2) soluble polyhedral Zintl anions, and (3) unsaturated silicon clusters, the so-called siliconoids. Particular attention is paid to functionalization as it is generally considered a necessary prerequisite for the design and construction of more extended systems. The interrelations between the three different classes of molecular silicon clusters, e.g., arising from the introduction of negatively charged functional groups, are highlighted on grounds of NMR properties and computed electronic structures.

FLP-type nitrile activation and cyclic ether ring-opening by halo-borane nonagermanide-cluster Lewis acid-base pairs

Even though homoatomic nine-atom germanium clusters are known for two decades, their chemical properties are still rarely investigated. We now discovered that Zintl ion main group-element clusters possess a reactive lone pair of electrons, and we show a new pathway to bind ligands with functional groups to the [Ge₉] cluster core through Ge-C bond formation. We report on the reactivity of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂]^2- (TMS = trimethylsilyl) towards a series of Lewis acidic bromo-boranes. The reaction of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂]^2- and DAB ^o-tol-Br (DAB = 1,3,2-diazaborolidine; o-tol = 2-methylphenyl) resulted, depending on the reaction protocol, either in the formation of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂DAB ^o-tol]^- (1a) with direct Ge-B interactions, or in [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂(CH₂)₄O-DAB ^o-tol]^- (2a) featuring a ring-opened thf moiety. Ring opening reactions occur for all bulkier DAB^R-Br [R: o-xyl (2,6-dimethylphenyl), Mes (2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), Dipp (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)], DAB(ii)^Dipp-Br and acyclic ( ⁱ Pr₂N)₂BBr without Ge-B bond formation as shown for the structural characterization of the ring-opened products of thf (3, 4) and trimethylene oxide (5). In contrast to thf, the activation of CH₃CN requires the simultaneous presence of Lewis-acid and Lewis-basic reactants allowing the formation of [Ge₉{Si(TMS)₃}₂CH₃C[double bond, length as m-dash]N-DAB^Mes]^- (6a). Within the presented compounds, 3 and 4 show an unusual substitution pattern of the three ligands at the [Ge₉] core in the solid state. The [Ge₉] cluster/borane systems correspond to intermolecular frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), in which the [Ge₉] cluster with several lone pairs represents the Lewis base, and the borane is the Lewis acid.

Boranyl-Functionalized [Ge9 ] Clusters: Providing the Idea of Intramolecular Ge/B Frustrated Lewis Pairs

The unique three-dimensional structure of spherical, homoatomic nine-atom germanium clusters opens various possibilities for the spatial arrangement of functional groups. Ligands comprising lone pairs have recently been introduced in the cluster sphere, and we now report the addition of a boranyl group to the cluster featuring a Ge-B exo-cluster bond. The reaction of the twofold-silylated cluster [Ge9 {Si(TMS)3 }2 ]2- (TMS=trimethylsilyl) with 2-chloro-1,3,2-diazaborolidines DABR -Cl leads to the first boranyl-functionalized [Ge9 ] clusters [Ge9 {Si(TMS)3 }2 DABR ]- (R=methyl (1 a), iso-propyl (2 a), ortho-tolyl (3 a)). The anions 2 a and 3 a were structurally characterized as [NHCDipp Cu]+ complexes (NHCDipp =1,3-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidine) through single crystal X-ray structure determination. Quantum-chemical calculations manifest the frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) character of the boranyl-functionalized cluster [Ge9 {Si(TMS)3 }2 BCy2 ]- (4 a).

A Neutral Heteroatomic Zintl Cluster for the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Cyclic Alkenes

We report on the synthesis of an alkane-soluble Zintl cluster, [η4-Ge9(Hyp)3]Rh(COD), that can catalytically hydrogenate cyclic alkenes such as 1,5-cyclooctadiene and cis-cyclooctene. This is the first example of a well-defined Zintl-cluster-based homogeneous catalyst.

Silicon clusters with six and seven unsubstituted vertices via a two-step reaction from elemental silicon

Unsaturated silicon clusters with only partial substitution, and thus, "naked" Si atoms are well studied species as they are proposed intermediates in gas-phase deposition processes. Although a remarkable number of stable molecular clusters has been reported, they are typically still obtained by multi-step syntheses. Herein we introduce a newly developed synthetic approach which led to the formation of the anionic species {Si(TMS)3}3Si9 - (1a) and {Si(TMS)3}2Si9 2- (1b), and an extension of this synthetic protocol resulted in the first covalent attachment of ligands through metal atoms to these clusters, (SnCy3)3Si9 - (2a) and (SnCy3)2Si9 2- (2b). The influence of the substituents on the electron localization in the central Si9 unit is analyzed by means of intrinsic bond orbital (IBO) analysis and partial atomic charge distribution. The IBO analyses reveal a new type of delocalization including 5-center-6-electron besides 3-center-2-electron bonds. The Raman spectra of 1b and 2b allow an assignment of the Si-Si intra-cluster vibrations by comparison to calculated (DFT-PBE0) spectra. The anions are formed in a one-step synthesis from binary K12Si17 which can easily be obtained by fusing the elements K and Si. The anions are characterized by ESI mass spectrometry and comprehensive NMR studies (1H, 13C, 29Si, 119Sn). Attempts to crystallize 1a and 2a as their (K-222crypt)+ salts yielded after the loss of one of the substituents single crystals containing 1b and 2b. The single crystal X-ray structure analyses reveal the presence of anionic siliconoids with surfaces of seven unsubstituted silicon atoms.

Enhancing the Variability of [Ge9 ] Cluster Chemistry through Phosphine Functionalization

The synthetic approach towards molecules that contain Ge atoms with oxidation state 0, and which are exclusively connected to other Ge atoms, is explored by using anionic clusters extracted from binary solids. Besides providing a novel variable method for the introduction of alkenyl moieties to [Ge₉ ] cluster compounds, this work expands the spectrum of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉ ] cluster anions, which are suitable for the straightforward synthesis of zwitterionic compounds upon coordination to metal cations. In detail, the synthesis of a series of mixed-functionalized [Ge₉ ] clusters is reported, including [Ge₉ {Si(TMS)₃ }₃ PRR^I ] (R=tBu, R^I =(CH₂ )₃ CH=CH₂ ; 2) and [Ge₉ {Si(TMS)₃ }₂ PRR^I ]^- (R and R^I : alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aminoalkyl; 3 a to 11 a, TMS: (trimethyl)silyl). In 2 and 3 a, pentenyl functionalization of the [Ge₉ ] clusters was achieved by reaction of the novel chlorophosphine tBu{(CH₂ )₃ CH=CH₂ }PCl (1) with silylated [Ge₉ ] clusters. Furthermore, the reactivity of the cluster anions 3 a to 11 a towards NHC^Dipp MCl (NHC^Dipp =1,3-di(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidine; M=Cu, Ag) showed a dependency on the steric demand of the phosphine either zwitterions (3-MNHC^Dipp to 7-MNHC^Dipp ) featuring P-M interactions are formed, or Ge-M coordination (8-MNHC^Dipp to 11-MNHC^Dipp ) occurs. For M=Ag, the formation of zwitterionic complexes was unequivocally proven by NMR investigations showing ¹ J(³¹ P-¹⁰⁷ Ag/¹⁰⁹ Ag) spin-spin coupling.

The influence of the FeCp(CO)2+ moiety on the dynamics of the metalloid [Ge9(Si(SiMe3)3)3]- cluster in thf: synthesis and characterization by time-resolved absorption spectroscopy

A neutral tetrasubstituted Ge₉ cluster with a covalently bound transition metal substituent was synthesized successfully via a salt metathesis reaction. Photoexcitation of [Ge₉(Si(SiMe₃)₃)₃FeCp(CO)₂] induces excited state dynamics of the compound that was analysed by extended broadband fs absorption spectroscopy in the UV-Vis-NIR region. After UV or Vis excitation, an electron is detached from the [Ge₉(Si(SiMe₃)₃)₃]^--entity and localizes within few hundred fs. Recombination of this cluster-electron-pair occurs in about 7-9 ps. Finally, a third component can be attributed to complete ground state recovery within roughly 150 ps. This is much shorter compared to a longer-lived component within Li[Ge₉(Si(SiMe₃)₃)₃], whose transient absorption exceeds the ns timescale after UV excitation. This observation emphasizes a strong influence of the Fe moiety.

Zinc as a versatile connecting atom for zintl cluster oligomers

Homoatomic cluster aggregation is a versatile route to build up atom-precise nano structures. In this work, we present first structures representing building motifs of hypothetical ZnGe₉ networks.

Acylation of Homoatomic Ge9 Cages and Subsequent Decarbonylation

The direct acylation of Ge₉ Zintl clusters by the reaction of K[Ge₉ {Si(SiMe₃ )₃ }₃ ] with acyl chlorides in hexane or toluene solutions is presented, leading to the neutral, carbonyl-derivatized products [{Si(SiMe₃ )₃ }₃ Ge₉ (CO)R'] (R'=Me, iPr, tBu, Ph, Bz, cyclopropylmethyl, phenethyl, 4-vinylphenyl). This reaction is applicable to a wide range of acyl chlorides and allows for diverse functionalization of Ge₉ Zintl clusters. [{Si(SiMe₃ )₃ }₃ Ge₉ (CO)tBu] readily releases CO at ambient conditions under formation of [{Si(SiMe₃ )₃ }₃ Ge₉ tBu]. This temperature-dependent decarbonylation most likely proceeds via a radical Norrish-type I α-bond cleavage. Except for R'=tBu and Bz all obtained acyl-derivatized Ge₉ cluster compounds do not release CO even at elevated temperatures. All compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. [{Si(SiMe₃ )₃ }₃ Ge₉ (CO)R'] (R'=tBu, Ph, Me, iPr) as well as [{Si(SiMe₃ )₃ }₃ Ge₉ tBu] were further structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Stable unsaturated silicon clusters (siliconoids)

Unsaturated silicon clusters are key intermediates of silicon deposition processes from the gas phase, which is reflected in the recently introduced term "siliconoids" for silicon rich clusters with at least one hemispheroidally coordinated vertex. Unlike the case of metalloid clusters of heavier Group 14 elements, stable homonuclear derivatives containing silicon have become available just recently. This review summarizes the developments since the first report on a stable unsaturated silicon cluster in 2005. The synthesis, structure and reactivity under retention of the unsaturated vertices (i.e. the functionalization) of stable siliconoids is discussed within the broader context of soluble Zintl anions of silicon and metalloid clusters. A structural parameter is introduced as a quantitative measure to characterize the "hemispheroidality" of an unsubstituted vertex of a siliconoid.

Synthesis of low-oxidation-state germanium clusters comprising a functional anchor group – synthesis and characterization of [(Ge0)5(Ge-R)3(Ge-(CH2)n-CHCH2)] with R = Si(SiMe3)3

The first alkenyl-functionalized, uncharged deltahedral germanium clusters [{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃Ge₉(CH₂)_nCHCH₂] (n = 1 or 3) comprising five Ge⁰ atoms are presented.