Two New Cluster Ions, Ga[GaH₃]₄^5– with a Neopentane Structure in Rb₈Ga₅H₁₅ and [GaH₂]_n^n– with a Polyethylene Structure in Rb_n(GaH₂)_n, Represent a New Class of Compounds with Direct Ga–Ga Bonds Mimicking Common Hydrocarbons

Abstract

The first examples of a new class of gallium hydride clusters with direct Ga-Ga bonds and common hydrocarbon structures are reported. Neutron powder diffraction was used to find a Ga[GaH(3)](4)(5-) cluster ion with a neopentane structure in a novel cubic structure type of Rb(8)Ga(5)H(15). Another cluster ion with a polyethylene structure, [GaH(2)](n)(n-), was found in a second novel (RbGaH(2))(n) hydride. These hydrocarbon-like clusters in gallium hydride materials have significant implications for the discovery of hydrides for hydrogen storage as well as for interesting electronic properties.

Electronic Transmutation (ET): Chemically Turning One Element into Another

“…Germanium hydrides (germanes), even though not in a large scale, have been synthesized and shown hydrocarbon‐like structures . The ET of gallium into germanium enjoys fruitful experimental discoveries . Powders of gallium hydride (gallane)‐containing compounds, such as Cs 10 H[(Ga 3 H 8 ) 3− ] 3 , (K x Rb 1− x ) n [(GaH 2 ) ‐ ] n , Rb 8 [Ga(GaH 3 ) 4 5− ] and Rb n [(GaH 2 ) − ] n have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, where K, Rb and Cs are used as the electron donors.…”

“…In Cs 10 H[(Ga 3 H 8 ) 3− ] 3 , both ET and the Zintl–Klemm concept are utilized to design the compound, and the (Ga 3 H 8 ) 3− kernel is isostructural to propane and Ge 3 H 8 . In (K x Rb 1− x ) n [(GaH 2 ) − ] n and Rb n [(GaH 2 ) − ] n , the [(GaH 2 ) − ] n polyanions feature polyethylene structures, and in Rb 8 [Ga(GaH 3 ) 4 5− ], the Ga(GaH 3 ) 4 5− kernel has similar structure as neopentane. In all these examples, each of the Ga atoms obtain one negative charge for the electronic transmutation.…”

“…The similarities between the transmutated element Z and the targeted element Z+1 could range from the chemical bonding they possess to the geometries of the compounds they form, so that many key features that were thought only belong to element Z+1 can now belong to element Z. Alchemists once spent great efforts in transmutating common elements into precious others, which now we know is not possible merely with chemistry, but based on ET, the element Z can now be chemically “turned into” element Z+1. After the proposal of the ET concept, a plethora of successful examples, including the transmutation of Groups 13, 14, and 15 elements into Group 14, 15, and 16 elements, have been reported . In this Minireview, we will summarize these examples on both the theoretical and experimental fronts, and outlook for wider applications and future research directions of this new concept.…”

Anorganische Chemie 2011

“…Rb8Ga5H15 (31) zeigt eine neopentylartige Struktur wohingegen das zweite Beispiel, (RbGaH2)n (32), eine Polyethylenstruktur aufweist. Diese ungewöhnlichen Verbindungen sind besonders für die Wasserstoffspeicherung von Interesse und versprechen darüber hinaus außergewöhnliche elektronische Eigenschaften 1_48…”

Strukturelle und elektronische Flexibilität in Hydriden von Zintl‐Phasen mit Tetrel‐Wasserstoff‐ und Tetrel‐Tetrel‐Bindung

“…[1] Einige Beispiele sind die Phasen EaTr 2 H 2 und EaTrTtH( Ea = Sr, Ba; Tr = Al, Ga; Tt = Si, Ge,S n) mit trielbasierten 2 1 [TrH À ]oder 2 1 [(TrH) À Tt À ]-Polyanionen, die gewellte Wabenschichten bilden, bei denen der Wasserstoff an das Tr ielatom bindet, [1] oder pseudoalkanartige Baueinheiten wie z. [1] Einige Beispiele sind die Phasen EaTr 2 H 2 und EaTrTtH( Ea = Sr, Ba; Tr = Al, Ga; Tt = Si, Ge,S n) mit trielbasierten 2 1 [TrH À ]oder 2 1 [(TrH) À Tt À ]-Polyanionen, die gewellte Wabenschichten bilden, bei denen der Wasserstoff an das Tr ielatom bindet, [1] oder pseudoalkanartige Baueinheiten wie z.…”