title: [V@Ge8As4]3- and [Nb@Ge8As6]3-: encapsulation of electron-poor transition metal atoms.
abstract: [K([2.2.2]crypt)](+) salts of [V@Ge8As4](3-) and [Nb@Ge8As6](3-) were obtained by extraction of quaternary phases with en/[2.2.2]crypt. The V-Ge-As anion is the first Zintl anion incorporating a (formal) V(5+) cation, thus the smallest cation ever embedded within a main group (semi-)metal cage. It represents the second example of a novel 12-vertex cluster architecture. The bonding situation was elucidated by quantum chemistry, also allowing for a precise assignment of Ge vs. As atoms, being indistinguishable by X-ray diffraction.
authors: Philipps-Universität Marburg, Fachbereich Chemie and Wissenschaftliches Zentrum für Materialwissenschaften (WZMW), Hans-Meerwein-Straße 4, 35043 Marburg, Germany. dehnen@chemie.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Mitzinger
authors: Lies
authors: L
authors: Broeckaert
authors: Werner
authors: W
authors: Massa
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Weigend
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Dehnen