title: Synthesis, crystal structure, and catalytic properties of MgCo6Ge6.
abstract: The ternary compound MgCo6Ge6 represents a novel member of the RM6X6 phases, which contains a graphite-type Ge network, Kagomé nets of Co atoms, and Ge2 dumbbells with an unexpected short Ge-Ge contact in the range of a localized Ge-Ge single bond. The title compound shows a large variety of chemical bonding, which ranges from metallic to multicenter and covalent bonding. The role of polar intermetallic alloys as promising candidates for the application as catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes is discussed. MgCo6Ge6 possesses a remarkable activity and selectivity for the hydrogenation of cis/trans-citral to geraniol and nerol.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Avanzate, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Via Bellini 25/G, 15100 Alessandria (Italy).
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gieck
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schreyer
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Fässler
authors.forename: Sylwia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavet
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Claus