An official website of the United States government
The reactivity of Bin−clusters (n= 2 to 30) with O2is found to display even-odd alternations. The open-shell even-sized Bin−clusters are more reactive than the closed-shell odd-sized clusters, except Bi18−, which exhibits no observable reactivity toward O2. We have investigated the structure and bonding of Bi18−to understand its remarkable resistance to oxidation. We find that the most stable structure of Bi18−consists of two Bi8cages linked by a Bi2dimer, where each atom is bonded to three neighboring atoms. Chemical bonding analyses reveal that each Bi uses its three 6pelectrons to form three covalent bonds with its neighbors, resulting in a Bi18−cluster without any dangling bonds. We find that the robust Bi18framework along with the totally delocalized unpaired electron is responsible for the surprising inertness of Bi18−toward O2. The Bi18framework is similar to that in Hittorf’s phosphorus, suggesting the possibility to create bismuth nanoclusters with interesting structures and properties.
more »
« less
Spherical Aromaticity of All‐Metal [Bi@In 8 Bi 12 ] 3−/5− Clusters
- Award ID(s):
- 1664379
- PAR ID:
- 10132499
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemistry – A European Journal
- Volume:
- 26
- Issue:
- 9
- ISSN:
- 0947-6539
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 2073-2079
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
