Zinc as a versatile connecting atom for zintl cluster oligomers.

Homoatomic cluster aggregation is a versatile route to build up atom-precise nano structures. In this work we describe the first connection of four Ge9 clusters to a single atom: in K6[Zn{η1-Ge9(Hyp)2}4]·10.5 Tol four bis-silylated Ge9 clusters are linked via one central Zn atom. Furthermore we report on the bare Ge9 cluster in (NH3)3Zn-Ge9-Zn(NH3)3·11NH3, which reveals two possible connectivity sites due to the NH3 leaving groups at the Zn atoms. Both complexes can be regarded as analogue building motifs for hypothetical tetrel element structures anticipated before with Zn atoms taking the role of four-connected tetrel atoms.