2004/04/01 by Denis E. Bergeron, A. W. Castleman, Tsuguo Morisato +1 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Materials Science · #Advanced Chemical Physics Studies #Boron and Carbon Nanomaterials Research #Crystal Structures and Properties
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1093902
openalex publication_date 2004/04/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Al13- is a cluster known for the pronounced stability that arises from coincident closures of its geometric and electronic shells. We present experimental evidence for a very stable cluster corresponding to Al13I-. Ab initio calculations show that the cluster features a structurally unperturbed Al13- core and a region of high charge density on the aluminum vertex opposite from the iodine atom. This ionically bound magic cluster can be understood by considering that Al13 has an electronic structure reminiscent of a halogen atom. Comparisons to polyhalides provide a sound explanation for our chemical observations.