The discovery of homodinuclear multiple bonds composed of Group 13 elements represents one of the most challenging frontiers in modern chemistry. A classical triple bond such as N≡N and HC≡CH contains one σ bond and two π bonds constructed from the p orbitals perpendicular to the σ bond. However, the traditional textbook triple bond between two Al atoms has remained elusive. Here we report an Al≡Al triple bond in the designer Na Al cluster predicted in silico, which was subsequently generated by pulsed arc discharge followed by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations. Being effectively Al due to the electron donation from Na, the Al atoms in Na Al undergo a double electronic transmutation into Group 15 elements, thus the Al ≡Al kernel mimics the P≡P and N≡N molecules. We anticipate this work will stimulate more endeavors in discovering materials using Al ≡Al as a building block in the gas phase and in the solid state.

The Al=Al double bond is elusive in chemistry. Herein we report the results obtained via combined photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio studies of the LiAl H cluster that confirm the formation of a conventional Al=Al double bond. Comprehensive searches for the most stable structures of the LiAl H cluster have shown that the global minimum isomer I possesses a geometric structure which resembles that of Si H , demonstrating a successful example of the transmutation of Al atoms into Si atoms by electron donation. Theoretical simulations of the photoelectron spectrum discovered the coexistence of two isomers in the ion beam, including the one with the Al=Al double bond.

The concept of electronic transmutation (ET) depicts the processes that by acquiring an extra electron, an element with the atomic number Z begins to have properties that were known to only belong to its neighboring element with the atomic number Z+1. Based on ET, signature compounds and chemical bonds that are composed of certain elements can now be designed and formed by other electronically transmutated elements. This Minireview summarizes the recent developments and applications of ET on both the theoretical and experimental fronts. Examples on the ET of Group 13 elements into Group 14 elements, Group 14 elements into Group 15 elements, and Group 15 elements into Group 16 elements are discussed. Compounds and chemical bonding composed of carbon, silicon, germanium, phosphorous, oxygen and sulfur now have analogues using transmutated boron, aluminum, gallium, silicon, nitrogen, and phosphorous.

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The discovery of homodinuclear multiple bonds composed of Group 13 elements represents one of the most challenging frontiers in modern chemistry.Aclassical triple bond such as NNand HCCH contains one s bond and two p bonds constructed from the porbitals perpendicular to the s bond. However,the traditional textbook triple bond between two Al atoms has remained elusive.H ere we report an Al Al triple bond in the designer Na 3 Al 2 À cluster predicted in silico, which was subsequently generated by pulsed arc discharge followed by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations.Being effectively Al 2À due to the electron donation from Na, the Al atoms in Na 3 Al 2 À undergo adouble electronic transmutation into Group 15 elements,t hus the Al 2À Al 2À kernel mimics the P Pa nd N Nm olecules.W e anticipate this work will stimulate more endeavors in discovering materials using Al 2À Al 2À as abuilding blocki nt he gas phase and in the solid state.