Planar Tetracoordinate Silicon in Si<sub>3</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> Cluster
Photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations have identified the global minimum structure of the 16-valence electron Si<sub>3</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub> <sup>-</sup> cluster, which features a planar tetracoordinate silicon (ptSi) in a rhombic arrangement. The Si<sub>3</sub> and Cu<sub>3</sub> triangles are interconnected by a Si<sub>2</sub>/Cu<sub>2</sub> edge, forming an ordered chain-like structure. Besides the conventional 2c-2e σ-bond connecting Si<sub>3</sub> and Cu<sub>3</sub>, the stability of this cluster is reinforced by a delocalized 3c-2e σ-bond in Cu<sub>3</sub> and a π-bond in Si<sub>3</sub>. Our study provides experimental confirmation of a planar hypercoordinate heavier Group 14 element, opening possibilities for exploring similar structures in two-dimensional materials.
Authors
- Gabriel Merino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1961-8321)
- Zhong‐hua Cui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0710-1774)
- Hong‐Guang Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1406-0202)
- Xinbo Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7576-0061)
- Hong-lin Zeng
- Xiao-han Yin
Institutions
- Jilin University (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (CN)
- Universidad Marista de Mérida (MX)
- Ministry of Education (KN)
- Ministry of Education and Child Care (CA)
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MX)
- Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (MX)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2024-10-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202415789
- Citations
- 15
- Primary Topic
- Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.76
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Jilin University
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities