Laser-ablation experiments with metals provide a source of electrons for capture processes, which are codeposited with solid argon and neon containing molecular fluorine. New argon and neon matrix absorptions at 510.6 and 524.7 cm(-1), respectively, are photosensitive upon irradiation at >290 nm, which is consistent with their assignment to an isolated anion. These bands are below the [M](+)[F(3)](-) antisymmetric trifluoride stretching frequency of 550 cm(-1) in an argon matrix, which is the typical relationship for cation-anion complexes and matrix-isolated anions. Thus, we report the isolated [F(3)](-) anion in solid argon and neon environments. Moreover, we have carried out quantum-chemical calculations up to and including the CCSD(T) method to investigate the stabilities of polyfluoride anions higher than the [F(3)](-) anion.

The viscosity (η) and electrical conductivity (κ) of ionic liquids are, next to the melting point, the two key properties of general interest. The knowledge of temperature-dependent η and κ data before their first synthesis would permit a much more target-oriented development of ionic liquids. We present in this work a novel approach to predict the viscosity and electrical conductivity of an ionic liquid without further input of experimental data. For the viscosity, only some basic physical observables like the Gibbs solvation energy (ΔG(solv)(*,∞)), which was calculated at the affordable DFT-level (RI-)BP86/TZVP/COSMO, the molecular radius, calculated from the molecular volume V(m) of the ion volumes, and the symmetry number (σ), according to group theory, are necessary as input. The temperature dependency (253-373 K) of the viscosity (4-19000 mPa s) was modeled by an Arrhenius approach. An alternative way, which avoids the deficits of the Arrhenius relation by a series expansion in the exponential term, is also presented. On the basis of their close connection, the same set of parameters is suitable to describe the electrical conductivity as well (238-468 K, 0.003-193 mS/cm). Nevertheless, more elegant alternatives like the usage of the Stokes-Einstein/Nernst-Einstein relation or the Walden rule are highlighted in this work. During this investigation, we additionally found an approach to predict the dielectric constant ε* of an ionic liquid at 298 K by using V(m) and ΔG(solv)(*,∞) between ε* = 9 and 43.

Positive at last: The first condensed-phase homopolyatomic phosphorus cation [P(9)](+) was prepared using a combination of the oxidant [NO](+) and weakly coordinating anion, [Al{OC(CF(3))(3)}(4)](-). [P(9)](+) consists of two P(5) cages linked by a phosphonium atom to give a D(2d)-symmetric Zintl cluster. NMR (see picture), Raman, and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and quantum-chemical calculations confirmed the structure.

An appealing couple: The unprecedented insertion of the nitrosonium cation into a tetrahedral edge of white phosphorus forms the highly reactive [P4NO]+ cation (see picture). The synthesis, characterization, and applications are discussed, and NO2[Al(OC(CF3)3)4] is presented as an easily synthesized oxidant.

Foreshadowing a new selenium modification …︁? Upon treatment of red, amorphous selenium with the silver salts of two large weakly coordinating anions (WCA), the thermodynamically driven formation of [Ag2Se12]2+ occurred. The structure of the dication is an unprecedented D3d‐symmetric 14‐vertex cage built from six six‐membered rings in a boat conformation that includes a weak argentophilic Ag–Ag bond.

Reactions of the zinc(I) complex [Zn2(Mesnacnac)2] (Mesnacnac = [(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)NC(Me)]2CH) with solid K3Bi2 dissolved in liquid ammonia yield crystals of the compound K4[ZnBi2]⋅(NH3)12 (1), which contains the molecular, linear heteroatomic [Bi-Zn-Bi](4-) polyanion (1 a). This anion represents the first example of a three-atomic molecular ion of metal atoms being iso(valence)-electronic to CO2 and being synthesized in solution. The analogy of the discrete [Bi-Zn-Bi](4-) anion and the polymeric ∞(1)[(ZnBi4/2)(4-)] unit to monomeric CO2 and polymeric SiS2 is rationalized.

To gain more insight into the reactivity of intermetalloid clusters, the reactivity of the Zintl phase K12 Sn17 , which contains [Sn4 ](4-) and [Sn9 ](4-) cluster anions, was investigated. The reaction of K12 Sn17 with gold(I) phosphine chloride yielded K7 [(η(2) -Sn4 )Au(η(2) -Sn4 )](NH3 )16 (1) and K17 [(η(2) -Sn4 )Au(η(2) -Sn4 )]2 (NH2 )3 (NH3 )52 (2), which both contain the anion [(Sn4 )Au(Sn4 )](7-) (1 a) that consists of two [Sn4 ](4-) tetrahedra linked through a central gold atom. Anion 1 a represents the first binary AuSn polyanion. From this reaction, the solvate structure [K([2.2.2]crypt)]3 K[Sn9 ](NH3 )18 (3; [2.2.2]crypt=4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) was also obtained. In the analogous reaction of mesitylcopper with K12 Sn17 in the presence of [18]crown-6 in liquid ammonia, crystals of the composition [K([18]crown-6)]2 [K([18]crown-6)(MesH)(NH3 )][Cu@Sn9 ](thf) (4) were isolated ([18]crown-6=1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadiene, MesH=mesitylene, thf=tetrahydrofuran) and featured a [Cu@Sn9 ](3-) cluster. A similar reaction with [2.2.2]crypt as a sequestering agent led to the formation of crystals of [K[2.2.2]crypt][MesCuMes] (5). The cocrystallization of mesitylene in 4 and the presence of [MesCuMes](-) (5 a) in 5 provides strong evidence that the migration of a bare Cu atom into an Sn9 anion takes place through the release of a Mes(-) anion from mesitylcopper, which either migrates to another mesitylcopper to form 5 a or is subsequently protonated to give MesH.

• cations. Overall 1-4 are new members of the rare class of metal complexes of neutral main group elemental clusters, in which the main group element is positively polarized due to coordination to a metal ion. Notably, 1 to 4 include the commonly metastable Se 6 molecule as a ligand. The structure, bonding and thermodynamics of 1 to 4 were investigated with the help of quantum chemical calculations (PBE0/TZVPP and (RI-)MP2/TZVPP, in part including COSMO solvation) and Born-Fajans-Haber-cycle calculations. From an analysis of all the available data it appears that the formation of the usually metastable Se 6 molecule from grey selenium is thermodynamically driven by the coordination to the Ag + ions.