title: The σ-aromatic clusters [Zn₃]⁺ and [Zn₂Cu]: embryonic brass.
abstract: The triangular clusters [Zn3Cp*3](+) and [Zn2CuCp*3] were obtained by addition of the in situ generated, electrophilic, and isolobal species [ZnCp*](+) and [CuCp*] to Carmona's compound, [Cp*Zn-ZnCp*], without splitting the ZnZn bond. The choice of non-coordinating fluoroaromatic solvents was crucial. The bonding situations of the all-hydrocarbon-ligand-protected clusters were investigated by quantum chemical calculations revealing a high degree of σ-aromaticity similar to the triatomic hydrogen ion [H3](+). The new species serve as molecular building units of Cu(n)Zn(m) nanobrass clusters as indicated by LIFDI mass spectrometry.
authors: Inorganic Chemistry II-Organometallics and Materials, Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, 44780 Bochum (Germany).
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Freitag
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Gemel
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Jerabek
authors: Iris M
authors: IM
authors: Oppel
authors: Rüdiger W
authors: RW
authors: Seidel
authors: Gernot
authors: G
authors: Frenking
authors: Hung
authors: H
authors: Banh
authors: Katharina
authors: K
authors: Dilchert
authors: Roland A
authors: RA
authors: Fischer
keywords: aromaticity; bonding analysis; clusters; copper; density functional theory calculations; zinc