Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups
Published on: February 11, 2012
Synthesis and functionalization of the six-vertex anionic amido-substituted silicon cluster [Si6{N(SiMe3)Ph}5]
Joschua Helmer1, Alexander Hepp1, Raphael J F Berger2
1Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Corrensstraße 28-30, 48149 Münster, Germany. lips@uni-muenster.de.
Abstract:
The reaction of the six-vertex amido-substituted silicon cluster Si6{N(SiMe3)Ph}6 1 with two equiv. of KC8 results in the abstraction of K{N(SiMe3)Ph} and leads to the contact ion pair 2 including an anionic silicon cluster with two unsubstituted pyramidal vertices. Facile functionalization of 2 was achieved with MeI, SiCl4 and SiBr4 and results in neutral two-fold functionalized silicon clusters.
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Addition to Alkynes: Halogenation
Halogenation is another class of electrophilic addition reactions where a halogen molecule gets added across a π bond. In alkynes, the presence of two π bonds allows for the addition of two equivalents of halogens (bromine or chlorine). The addition of the first halogen molecule forms a trans-dihaloalkene as the major product and the cis isomer as the minor product. Subsequent addition of the second equivalent yields the tetrahalide.
Diazonium Group Substitution with Halogens and Cyanide: Sandmeyer and Schiemann Reactions
Diazonium Group Substitution: –OH and –H
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Preparation of Amides
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
Acid Halides to Amides: Aminolysis
In the first step of the aminolysis mechanism, the amine attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acyl chloride to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the second step, the carbonyl group is re-formed with the elimination of a chloride...

