{Ge₉[Si(SiMe₃)₂(SiPh₃)]₃}⁻: Ligand Modification in Metalloid Germanium Cluster Chemistry

The influence of the stabilizing ligand on the physical and chemical properties of a metalloid cluster compound is important for nanotechnology as metalloid clusters are ideal model compounds for metal nanoparticles. Here we present the synthesis of a differently substituted metalloid {Ge₉R₃}⁻ cluster: {Ge₉[Si­(SiMe₃)₂­(SiPh₃)]₃}⁻ <b>1</b>, which is obtained in good yield by the reaction of K₄Ge₉ with ClSi­(SiMe₃)₂­(SiPh₃). <b>1</b> is characterized via NMR and mass spectrometry, but crystallization is hindered. However, the reaction with HgCl₂ gives the neutral compound HgGe₁₈­[Si­(SiMe₃)₂­(SiPh₃)]₆ <b>2</b>, which can be crystallized and structurally characterized. The presented results are a first step for the investigation of the ligand’s influence on the properties of a metalloid germanium cluster compound