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Realization of an Al≡Al Triple Bond in the Gas‐Phase Na 3 Al 2 − Cluster via Double Electronic Transmutation
Author(s) -
Zhang Xinxing,
Popov Ivan A.,
Lundell Katie A.,
Wang Haopeng,
Mu Chaonan,
Wang Wei,
Schnöckel Hansgeorg,
Boldyrev Alexander I.,
Bowen Kit H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201806917
Subject(s) - triple bond , chemistry , cluster (spacecraft) , nuclear transmutation , crystallography , chemical bond , single bond , atomic orbital , double bond , atomic physics , group (periodic table) , electron , physics , nuclear physics , computer science , organic chemistry , neutron , polymer chemistry , programming language
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 3 Al 2 − cluster predicted in silico, which was subsequently generated by pulsed arc discharge followed by mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations. Being effectively Al 2− due to the electron donation from Na, the Al atoms in Na 3 Al 2 − undergo a double electronic transmutation into Group 15 elements, thus the Al 2− ≡Al 2− kernel mimics the P≡P and N≡N molecules. We anticipate this work will stimulate more endeavors in discovering materials using Al 2− ≡Al 2− as a building block in the gas phase and in the solid state.