Solid-state phases to molecular clusters

NMR studies of solutions of inter-metallic phases led to recognition of the potential use of polyatomic Zintl ions as reagents for the generation of new cluster compounds (Eichhorn et al., 1988). Examples of transition-metal derivatives have been discussed in Chapter 5 and the structures of the ions themselves were used as examples of ligand-free main-group clusters in Chapter 2 (Corbett, 1985 Fassler, 2001). The following examples illustrate recent developments in the chemistry of these clusters derived from solid-state syntheses. 

Inter-conversion of clusters and solid-state materials 

The central cluster is modeled by square arachno-[Ge, ]2- shown in 

2 Extraction of Zintl clusters from transition-metal cluster solids 

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