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Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
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Structural Isomerism

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Valence Bond Theory

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Coordination Number and Geometry02:57

Coordination Number and Geometry

For transition metal complexes, the coordination number determines the geometry around the central metal ion. Table 1 compares coordination numbers to molecular geometry. The most common structures of the complexes in coordination compounds are octahedral, tetrahedral, and square planar.
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I03:24

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

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Ionic Crystal Structures

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Crystal and electronic structure of heteroanionic praseodymium chlorosilicate Pr<sub>3</sub>Cl<sub>5</sub>[SiO<sub>4</sub>].

Acta crystallographica. Section C, Structural chemistry·2026
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Tuning the Solvation and Solubility Properties of Molecularly Heterogeneous Nonionic Deep Eutectic Solvents via Interface Organization.

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Coordination Variability through Inner-Outer-Sphere Chloride Exchange in Complex Heterometallic Clusters [<i>M</i><sub>2</sub>Bi<sub>14</sub>Cl<sub>4</sub>][AlCl<sub>4</sub>]<sub>4</sub> and [<i>M</i><sub>2</sub>Bi<sub>14</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>][AlCl<sub>4</sub>]<sub>6</sub> (<i>M</i> = Ru, Os).

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Comprehensive structural study of lanthanide(III) chloride hydrates: [<i>RE</i>Cl<sub>3</sub>·<i>x</i>H<sub>2</sub>O (<i>RE</i> = La-Nd, Sm-Lu; <i>x</i> = 6, 7)].

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Mapping and Characterization of Local Structures of CsPbBr<sub>3</sub>.

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Advancing Heteroanionicity in Zintl Phases: Crystal Structures, Thermoelectric and Magnetic Properties of Two Quaternary Semiconducting Arsenide Oxides, Eu<sub>8</sub>Zn<sub>2</sub>As<sub>6</sub>O and Eu<sub>14</sub>Zn<sub>5</sub>As<sub>12</sub>O.

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Combining Solid-state and Solution-based Techniques: Synthesis and Reactivity of Chalcogenidoplumbates(II or IV)
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Published on: December 29, 2016

Homopolyatomic bismuth cluster compound Bi8[AlBr4]2: synthesis, structural characterization, and electronic

S M Gayomi K Samarakoon1, Chaila N Estrella1, Sviatoslav Baranets1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA.

Acta Crystallographica. Section C, Structural Chemistry
|June 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Researchers synthesized octabismuth(2+) bis(tetrabromidoaluminate), Bi8[AlBr4]2, using a Lewis acidic ionic liquid. This new bismuth cluster compound exhibits semiconducting properties with a 1.51 eV band gap.

Keywords:
bismuth clustercrystal structureelectronic structurehomopolyatomicionic liquidspolycation

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Area of Science:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

  • Bismuth compounds are known for unique cluster structures and potential applications.
  • Lewis acidic ionic liquids offer novel reaction media for synthesizing complex inorganic materials.
  • Understanding the electronic properties of bismuth clusters is crucial for materials development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize a novel octabismuth cluster compound.
  • To investigate the structural and electronic properties of Bi8[AlBr4]2.
  • To explore the utility of Lewis acidic ionic liquids in cluster synthesis.

Main Methods:

  • One-pot synthesis using BiBr3, AlBr3, and Bi in a Lewis acidic ionic liquid ([BMIm]Br·3.95AlBr3).
  • Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural determination.
  • Electronic structure calculations (molecular and periodic approaches).

Main Results:

  • Successfully synthesized black irregular crystals of Bi8[AlBr4]2.
  • Determined the crystal structure: orthorhombic, space group Pna21, isostructural with related halogallates.
  • Identified zero-dimensional [Bi8]2+ cluster cations and [AlBr4]- anions.
  • Calculations confirmed the electronic stability of the [Bi8]2+ cluster and predicted semiconducting behavior with a 1.51 eV band gap.

Conclusions:

  • The synthesis of Bi8[AlBr4]2 demonstrates the effectiveness of Lewis acidic ionic liquids for creating novel bismuth clusters.
  • The compound features a stable arachno-type [Bi8]2+ cluster, analogous to known halogallates.
  • Bi8[AlBr4]2 is a semiconductor with potential for electronic applications.