Abstract

" We report the synthesis, characterization, and computational rationalization of the first trimetallic deltahedral Zintl ions. The novel nine-atom clusters were structurally characterized as dimers of [(Sn 6Ge 2Bi) 2] 4- with Ge-Ge intercluster bonds. They are synthesized either by reacting bimetallic clusters (Sn 9-xGe x) 4- with BiPh 3 or by direct extraction from precursors with nominal composition ""K 4Ge 4Sn 4Bi"". © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry. "