title: Al cluster superatoms as halogens in polyhalides and as alkaline earths in iodide salts.
abstract: Two classes of gas-phase aluminum-iodine clusters have been identified whose stability and reactivity can be understood in terms of the spherical shell jellium model. Experimental reactivity studies show that the Al13I-x clusters exhibit pronounced stability for even numbers of I atoms. Theoretical investigations reveal that the enhanced stability is associated with complementary pairs of I atoms occupying the on-top sites on the opposing Al atoms of the Al13- core. We also report the existence of another series, Al14I-x, that exhibits stability for odd numbers of I atoms. This series can be described as consisting of an Al14I-3 core upon which the I atoms occupy on-top locations around the Al atoms. The potential synthetic utility of superatom chemistry built upon these motifs is addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Department of Physics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Roach
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Castleman
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khanna