Reaction of Sn44− in liquid ammonia: the formation of Rb6[(η2-Sn4)Zn(η3-Sn4)]·5NH3

Abstract

The reaction of Rb4Sn4 with ZnPh2 in liquid ammonia in the presence of [2.2.2]-cryptand yielded crystals of Rb6[(η2-Sn4)Zn(η3-Sn4)]·5NH3, which could be characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This is the first example of a successful solution reaction of the highly charged tetrahedral Sn44− anions. The homoleptic [E4ZnE4]6− complex (E = tetrel element) was previously known only for E[double bond, length as m-dash]Ge and Si/Ge.