Some Typical Properties of Cages Containing Simultaneously Main Group Metals and Non-Metals

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Electropositive main group elements can be incorporated into polycycles through bonding to nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The latter elements are substituted by bulky organic groups like tert-butyl, thereby preventing the molecules from polymerizing. The metal atoms, which behave as Lewis-acids towards the neighboring Lewis-basic ligands are generally low coordinate. In some cases temperature-dependent intramolecular rearrangements (bond fluctuations) are observed. The prominent occurance of highly strained polycycles like tetrahedra, cubes or trigonal bipyramids may be correlated to the orbitals used for bonding by the metal atoms: these are often of p- or d-type and therefore favor acute angles. These polycyclic compounds may react at either the metal or nonmetal center. The following reactions are observed: trapping of polar molecules, ligand exchange, metal exchange, redox reactions, cluster formation, metal-metal bond formation or opening of the cages.
Keywords