title: Ca10Pt7Tt3 (Tt = Si, Ge): new platinide phases featuring electron-rich 4c-6e bonded [Pt7Tt3]20- intermetalloid clusters.
abstract: Two new phases Ca(10)Pt(7)Tt(3) (with Tt = Si, Ge) were obtained by reacting stoichiometric mixtures of the elements at high temperature. Their structures were refined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. They are isostructural and crystallize in the Ba(10)Al(3)Ge(7) type structure, space group P6(3)/mcm (No. 193) with a = b = 8.7735(3) Å, c = 13.8260(5) Å, V = 921.66(6) Å(3), Z = 2 for Tt = Si, and a = b = 8.7995(6) Å, c = 13.9217(14) Å, V = 933.56(16) Å(3) for Tt = Ge phase. The most interesting structural features in these phases are the propeller shape {Pt(7)Tt(3)} (Tt = Si, Ge) intermetalloid clusters in a D(3h) local symmetry. LMTO electronic structure calculations and COHP analyses reveal that both Ca(10)Pt(7)Tt(3) (Tt = Si, Ge) phases are charge optimized, which is not predicted by the classical Zintl concept and the octet or Wade-Mingo's rules, but rather by a more complex bonding model based on the unprecedented electron-rich 4c-6e multicenter bonding. The clusters are best described as three-condensed trigonal planar [TtPt(3)](8-) units, resulting in a central Pt atom also with a trigonal planar coordination of three symmetrical equivalent Si/Ge atoms that are further connected to two terminal Pt atoms each. The "trefoil" electron-rich multicenter bonding is proposed here for the first time, and may be viewed as a unique bonding feature with potential relevance for the catalytic properties of the noble metal platinum.
authors.affiliation: Division of Polymer and Materials Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Isa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Doverbratt
authors.forename: Siméon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ponou
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lidin
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Fredrickson