title: Tri-metallic deltahedral Zintl ions: experimental and theoretical studies of the novel dimer [(Sn6Ge2Bi)2]4-.
abstract: We report the synthesis, characterization, and computational rationalization of the first trimetallic deltahedral Zintl ions. The novel nine-atom clusters were structurally characterized as dimers of [(Sn(6)Ge(2)Bi)(2)](4-) with Ge-Ge intercluster bonds. They are synthesized either by reacting bimetallic clusters (Sn(9-x)Ge(x))(4-) with BiPh(3) or by direct extraction from precursors with nominal composition "K(4)Ge(4)Sn(4)Bi".
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA.
authors.forename: Miriam M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gillett-Kunnath
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Castro
authors.forename: Slavi C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sevov