{[Si(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] 2 Ge 9 -SiMe 2 -(C 6 H 4 )-SiMe 2 -Ge 9 [Si(SiMe 3 ) 3 ] 2 K} - : The Connection of Metalloid Clusters via an Organic Linker.

The reaction of [(Hyp)2 Ge9 ]2- (Hyp = Si(SiMe3 )3 ) with ClSiMe2 -C6 H4 -SiMe2 Cl gives [K(THF)][(Hyp)2 Ge9 -SiMe2 -C6 H4 -SiMe2 -Ge9 (Hyp)2 K] K1 in 45% yield in the form of orange-red crystals. 1 is thereby the first compound where two Ge9 (Hyp)2 clusters are bound together via a bridging ligand. 1 is stable in solution but cannot be transferred intact into the gas phase via electrospray ionization indicating a higher reactivity with respect to other metalloid Ge9 R3 clusters. The arrangement of the nine germanium atoms within the two Ge9 units in 1 is unique for metalloid Ge9 R3 clusters. Quantum chemical calculations further reveal an electronic interaction of the two Ge9 units in 1 via the bridging phenylene group.