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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

The Synthesis of [Sn10SiSiMe334]2- Using a Metastable SnI Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique

The Synthesis of [Sn10SiSiMe334]2- Using a Metastable SnI Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique

Published on: November 28, 2016

S-P coupling induced unusual open-shell metal clusters.

Shi-Bo Cheng¹, Cuneyt Berkdemir, Joshua J Melko

¹Department of Chemistry and ‡Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|March 15, 2014

Summary

Discover unexpectedly stable open-shell metal clusters, surpassing traditional closed-shell and aromatic structures. This finding reveals new stabilization mechanisms and potential for designing novel materials.

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Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups

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Published on: February 11, 2012

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Last Updated: May 2, 2026

The Synthesis of [Sn10SiSiMe334]2- Using a Metastable SnI Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique

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Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of ChalcogenidoplumbatesII or IV

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Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups

Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups

Published on: February 11, 2012

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Materials Science
Computational Chemistry

Background:

Metal clusters with closed supershells or aromaticity typically show enhanced stability.
However, stability is not exclusively governed by these conventional models.

Purpose of the Study:

To present experimental and theoretical evidence for stable open-shell metal clusters.
To explore novel stabilization mechanisms beyond closed-shell and aromaticity.

Main Methods:

Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy for experimental data acquisition.
Ab initio calculations for theoretical validation and mechanism elucidation.

Main Results:

Identified unexpectedly stable open-shell Al-Mg clusters.
These clusters exhibit greater stability than their closed-shell and aromatic analogs.
Stabilization is attributed to S-P molecular orbital coupling, increasing HOMO-LUMO gaps.

Conclusions:

Open-shell clusters can be exceptionally stable, challenging traditional models.
S-P molecular orbital coupling is a key stabilization factor.
This discovery opens avenues for designing new, stable cluster-based building blocks.