{Ge 8 [Fe(CO) 4 ] 8 } 7- : an anionic cubic germanium-iron-cluster featuring an unpaired electron.

Within the reaction of a metastable Ge(I)Cl solution and Na 2 Fe 2 (CO) 8 the anionic cubic cluster compound {(thf) 14 Na 6 Ge 8 [Fe(CO) 4 ] 8 } - (3) is obtained. The open shell character of 3 is proven by EPR spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations furthermore show that also the closed shell systems should be stable, but could not be isolated so far. Additionally, 3 can be seen as an intermediate cluster compound on the formation of metalloid clusters.