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Updated: Feb 26, 2026

Construction and Systematical Symmetric Studies of a Series of Supramolecular Clusters with Binary or Ternary Ammonium Triphenylacetates
Published on: February 15, 2016
Colossal Stability of Gas-Phase Trianions: Super-Pnictogens
Tianshan Zhao1,2,3, Jian Zhou3, Qian Wang1,2,3
1Center for Applied Physics and Technology, College of Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Energy Density Physics Simulation, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
Abstract:
Multiply charged negative ions are ubiquitous in nature. They are stable as crystals because of charge compensating cations; while in solutions, solvent molecules protect them. However, they are rarely stable in the gas phase because of strong electrostatic repulsion between the extra electrons. Therefore, understanding their stability without the influence of the environment has been of great interest to scientists for decades. While much of the past work has focused on dianions, work on triply charged negative ions is sparse and the search for the smallest trianion that is stable against spontaneous electron emission or fragmentation continues. Stability of BeB11 (X)123- (X=CN, SCN, BO) trianions is demonstrated in the gas phase, with BeB11 (CN)123- exhibiting colossal stability against electron emission by 2.65 eV and against its neutral adduct by 15.85 eV. The unusual stability of these trianions opens the door to a new class of super-pnictogens with potential applications in aluminum-ion batteries.
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