Nanoscale atoms in solid-state chemistry

Science. 2013 Jul 12;341(6142):157-60. doi: 10.1126/science.1236259. Epub 2013 Jun 6.

Abstract

We describe a solid-state material formed from binary assembly of atomically precise molecular clusters. [Co6Se8(PEt3)6][C60]2 and [Cr6Te8(PEt3)6][C60]2 assembled into a superatomic relative of the cadmium iodide (CdI2) structure type. These solid-state materials showed activated electronic transport with activation energies of 100 to 150 millielectron volts. The more reducing cluster Ni9Te6(PEt3)8 transferred more charge to the fullerene and formed a rock-salt-related structure. In this material, the constituent clusters are able to interact electronically to produce a magnetically ordered phase at low temperature, akin to atoms in a solid-state compound.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.