Abstract
Compound clusters composed of two metallic elements have been produced by allowing the elements to react in the vapor phase. The composition of the clusters could be varied by changing the relative partial pressures of the two vapors. Mass spectrometry indicates that clusters with certain well defined compositions are particularly stable. For example, in the Cs–Sn system, mass peaks corresponding to (Cs3Sn2)+, (Cs3Sn5)+, (Cs5Sn4)+, and (Cs5Sn9)+ are unusually strong. Other metallic systems discussed are Pb–Cs, Pb–In, Pb–Sr, Pb–In, and In–Cs. In another series of experiments each of these elemental metallic vapors was allowed to react with phosphorus vapor. In this way the relative stability of the various phosphide clusters could be tested. For example, (Cs4P7)+ and (Cs3P4)+ are shown to be particularly stable. The probable structures of some of the intermetallic and phosphide clusters are presented.

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