Spodium bonding with noble gas atoms.

The nature of the bonding between a neutral group 12 member (Zn 3 , Cd 3 and Hg 3 ) ring and a noble gas atom was explored using quantum chemical simulations. Natural bond orbital, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, symmetry-adapted perturbation theory, and molecular electrostatic potential surface analysis were also used to investigate the type of interaction between the noble gas atom and the metal rings (Zn 3 , Cd 3 and Hg 3 ). The Zn 3 , Cd 3 and Hg 3 rings are bonded to the noble gas through non-covalent interactions, which was revealed by the non-covalent interaction index. Additionally, energy decomposition analysis reveals that dispersion energy is the key factor in stabilizing these systems.