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Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups
Published on: February 11, 2012
K(6)Tl(2)Sb(3), a zintl phase with a novel heteroatomic (1)(infinity)[Tl4Sb(6)(12-)] chain
1Ames Laboratory-DOE and Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.
Abstract:
The title compound with heteratomic anionic chains [Tl(4)Sb(6)(12)(-)] has been discovered in the K-Tl-Sb system. The phase is obtained from a range of compositions near K(3)TlSb(1.5) following reaction first at 750-850 degrees C and then at 550 degrees C for one week or more. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system in space group C2/c, Z = 8, a = 9.951(1) A, b = 17.137(3) A, c = 19.640(6) A, and beta = 104.26(3) degrees. Swing-like (Tl(4)Sb(6))(12)(-) units consisting of alternating Sb and Tl atoms in four- and eight-membered rings are linked through Tl-Tl bonds to form infinite one-dimensional chains along a. EHTB calculations and resistivity measurements show that the compound is a semiconductor.
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