Higher stability of metalloid tin clusters obtained via the cation-anion interaction.

The reaction of a metastable SnCl solution with KR (R = Si(SiMe3)2(SitBuMe2) = HyptBuMe2 or Si(SiMe3)2(SiEt3) = HypEt3) gives the metalloid tin cluster [Sn10R4]2- in partly good yields. The tin clusters are in the solid state as well in solution coordinated by a potassium cation, leading first of all to a more static compound and novel coordination polymers in the solid state. Additionally, the coordination of the potassium cation strongly increases the stability of the cluster in solution. This higher stability is thereby an important prerequisite for future investigation of this open shell metalloid tin cluster.