Unique reactivity of B in B[Ge9Y3]3 (Y = H, CH3, BO, CN): formation of a Lewis base

Boron compounds usually exhibit Lewis acidity at the boron center due to the presence of vacant p-orbitals. But using Zintl-ion based groups (Ge9Y3, Y = H, CH3, BO, CN), we can alter Lewis acid nature of B to a Lewis base.

Structural isomerism in the [(Ni@Sn9)In(Ni@Sn9)]5− Zintl ion

A new Zintl cluster, [(Ni@Sn9)In(Ni@Sn9)]5−, has been isolated in two distinct isomeric forms, one where both Ni@Sn9 units are coordinated to the bridging indium atom in an η3- mode, the other where one is η3- and the other η4-.

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 (D5h) 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.