“Naked” Sn368– Tin Nanorod Synthesized

“Naked” Sn368– Tin Nanorod Synthesized

Author: ChemistryViews

Clusters of atoms often have properties that are different from both single atoms and the corresponding bulk material. The controlled synthesis of materials from such clusters can be challenging. Cluster-assembled tin species, for example, are elusive.

Alexander I. Boldyrev, Utah State University, Logan, USA, Zhong-Ming Sun, Nankai University, Tianjin, China, and colleagues have synthesized the “naked” tin cluster anion Sn368‒. The cluster anion was obtained in form of the salt [K(2,2,2-crypt)]8Sn36 (2,2,2-crypt = 2.2.2-cryptand) via oxidative coupling reactions of Sn94‒ clusters (a type of Zintl ion). The team reacted K4Sn9, dissolved in ethylenediamine, with Na[Zn(C5H5)3] as an oxidant in the presence of 2,2,2-crypt. The product was isolated in the form of green crystals.

The synthesized [K(2,2,2-crypt)]8Sn36 was characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The team found that the compound contains tetrameric Sn368‒ clusters (pictured), which form a nanorod/nanowire with a length of ca. 2.7 nm. According to the researchers, the cluster is the first example of a tin cluster assembled from Zintl-ion fragments, as well as the first synthesized tin nanorod.


 

 

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